Veterans Assistance

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Vermilion County (VACVC) was formed by the Veterans Organizations with Posts or Detachments situated in Vermilion County in 2019 and funded to operate beginning in Fiscal Year 2020.  Although funded by Illinois Law, Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 330, Section 45/1, et seq. through Property Tax Levy of the County of Vermilion, the VACVC is a separate and distinct unit of local government, authorized to function as a central service office of the Veterans Organization for the purpose of assisting military Veterans and their eligible family members with navigating the process of accessing benefits at the local, state, and federal levels.

The VACVC helps veterans, their widows/widowers and dependents, navigate the complex process of accessing benefits and entitlements from various federal, state, and local agencies.

Key Services include:

  • Application preparations for entitlements, benefits, and enrollments from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Preparation of claims for Compensation and Pension from the Veterans Benefits Administration.
  • Interim and emergency financial assistance for qualified applicants.
  • Referrals and program coordination with other agencies to resolve homelessness, unemployment, barriers to transportation for work and/or medical services, food insecurity, personal hygiene and household cleaning supplies.
  • Advocacy and Outreach.

**The veteran must provide DD-214 Character of Service evidence of Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions without reference to Misconduct and indicate a minimum of 180+ days of active duty status.  Additional documentation may be requested and/or required based upon the nature of assistance.

Impact of Lapse in Government Funding

Dear NACVSO Members,

Please read the message below from the VA’s Office of VSO Engagement: 

Good afternoon stakeholders.

As you are aware, funding for some government agencies, including portions of the Department of Veterans Affairs, expired at midnight this morning.

President Trump opposes a lapse in appropriations, and on September 19, the House of Representatives passed, with the Trump Administration’s support, a clean continuing resolution to fund the government through November 21. Unfortunately, Democrats are blocking this Continuing Resolution in the U.S. Senate due to unrelated policy demands.

During the current lapse in funding, the vast majority of VA benefits and services will continue uninterrupted, but the government shutdown is not without consequences to VA. Here is what you need to know:

The following critical Veterans care and assistance programs will be impacted:

  • VA will not provide Veteran career counseling or transition assistance program activities.
  • The GI Bill Hotline will be closed.
  • VA regional benefits offices will be closed.
  • VA will cease public affairs and outreach to Veterans.
  • VA will not permanently place headstones or maintain the grounds at VA national cemeteries.
  • VA will not process applications for pre-need burials.
  • VA will not print new presidential memorial certificates.

Thankfully, the government shutdown will not impact the following VA services:

  • Veteran health care is not impacted. VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open.
  • VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
  • Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries. Applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing will continue.
  • The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue decisions on Veterans’ cases.
  • VA Contact Centers (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) are open 24/7.

We encourage you to share this information with your members.

VSO Engagements
Office of the Secretary
Department of Veterans Affairs