'Stand Up and Be Counted' benefits veterans
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[February 04, 2012]
SPRINGFIELD -- Designed to improve
access to services for the state's 1.2 million veterans, "Stand
Up and Be Counted" is a new online tool launched in January by
the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. This function,
available at
www.veterans.illinois.gov, encourages all Illinois veterans to
log on and submit basic contact information to the department.
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"I would encourage all veterans to ‘Stand Up and Be Counted'
-- not only to receive assistance with benefits, but also for the
sake of their battle buddies," said IDVA Director Erica Borggren.
"Participating veterans will help us gain a better understanding of
the Illinois veteran community." Veterans who register through the
Stand Up and Be Counted website will be contacted within 48 hours by
a local service officer, or VSO, who stands ready to assist
veterans, their dependents and survivors navigate the many federal,
state and local benefits and resources available to them. Any data
collected will help the agency plan for future services, lobby for
further federal VA funding and facilities, and generally serve
Illinois' veterans better.
VSOs are trained to provide accurate, up-to-date information,
answer questions, and assist with paperwork and filing of claims for
federal, state and local benefits, completely free of charge.
Assistance provided by VSOs:
-- combat and
service-related bonus payments and compensation, DD214
certificates
Survivor and
burial benefits -- grave registrations, grave markers
Educational
benefits -- GI Bill, Troops to Teachers, scholarships
Employment
benefits -- employment preference, Jobs for Vets program
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Real estate and
permits -- homestead and disabled veterans standard
homestead exemptions, adapted housing exemptions, camping and
admissions fees, hunting and fishing licenses
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Referral
assistance -- facilitate access to federal VA health care
and counseling services
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Illinois veterans homes -- assist
in applying for admission to one of four state-managed homes
throughout Illinois
For more information, visit
www.veterans.illinois.gov or call 1-800-437-9824.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Veterans' Affairs file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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