Service offices for veterans closed for annual training

[June 01, 2013]  CHICAGO -- All of the Illinois Veterans Service Offices will be closed for annual training and certification from Tuesday through Friday next week as all of the service officers with the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs will be attending mandatory annual training and certification at the Decatur Conference Center & Hotel, Decatur.

This year's annual training will focus on the deployment and use of the IDVA-developed and fielded CyberVet digital office suite program, access to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs online claims management systems, techniques and approaches to submitting better-resourced and supported benefit claims for veterans, as well as a wide range of IDVA-backed and sponsored programs and initiatives.

A statewide network of offices assists Illinois veterans in navigating a network of resources and benefits available to them. The offices are staffed by professionals who provide accurate, up-to-date information, answer questions, and assist with preparing and filing of claims for federal, state and local benefits, completely free of charge.

Assistance provided includes:

• Compensation benefits and document assistance -- combat and service-related bonus payments and compensation, DD214 certificates

• Survivor and burial benefits -- grave registration, grave markers

• Educational benefits -- G.I. Bill, Troops to Teachers, scholarships

• Employment benefits -- employment preference, Jobs for Vets program

• Real estate and permits -- homestead and disabled veterans standard homestead exemptions, adapted housing exemptions, camping and admissions fees, hunting and fishing licenses.

• Referral assistance -- facilitating access to federal VA health care and counseling services

• Illinois Veterans' Homes -- assistance in applying for admission to one of four state-managed homes for veterans

Veterans wishing to contact a VSO during this period may use the "Stand Up and Be Counted" online tool at www.veterans.illinois.gov or call 1-800-437-9824. Veterans enrolling in SUBC will be assisting their fellow veterans by helping IDVA and the entire advocacy community for veterans to gain a better understanding of the location and number of Illinois' veterans. This will help in planning future services, seeking additional federal VA funding and facilities, and generally help to serve Illinois' veterans better.

[Text from Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]