Latest news with #VeteransService

Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kern County Veterans Service relaunches veteran ID cards
Kern County Veterans Service is relaunching its Veteran ID Card service, which helps veterans verify their military service without carrying official discharge documents. The county said there are more than 30,000 veterans in Kern County. 'We are thrilled to once again issue these ID cards to our veterans — a symbol of our gratitude for their dedicated service to our country,' Kern County Veterans Service Officer Jose Lopez said in a county news release. 'Getting these ID cards in the hands of our veterans is another way to connect them to vital services and resources in our community.' Veterans Service had paused the ID card service due to a machine malfunction. "Thanks to the support of Kern County Supervisors Chris Parlier and David Couch, a new ID machine has been purchased, allowing the service to resume with renewed commitment and accessibility to our veterans," a county news release said. The cards may also help law enforcement and medical professionals in appropriately responding to a veteran in an emergency. Learn more about the ID cards at the Kern County Veterans Office, 1120 Golden State Ave.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New tool offers assistance to Massachusetts veterans seeking financial benefits
BOSTON (WWLP)– The state has created a new online option for veterans and their families to find out if they're eligible for monthly cash benefits. The MassVets Benefit Estimator is overseen by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and offers a way for veterans to obtain financial relief through the Chapter 115 Safety Net Program. Operation Veteran Vacation hosts fundraiser dinner for families Veterans may be eligible for benefits, which include: Daily living expenses Medical costs Rent assistance Support of dependents Prevention of Veteran homelessness Outpatient behavioral health services, including psychiatric care, substance use disorder treatment, and prescription assistance 'Our administration was proud to expand benefits for veterans and their families under the HERO Act, but we need to make sure that they know about and can access them,' said Governor Maura Healey. 'This new tool makes it easier for veterans to determine what they are eligible for, how much and how to get it. We encourage everyone to use the Benefit Estimator to make sure they receive the benefits and resources they deserve.' 'This new tool reaffirms our commitment to making Massachusetts the best state for veterans and their families,' said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. 'With a more accessible and user-friendly benefit estimator, we are ensuring that no veteran in need is left without access to critical financial assistance.' Veterans unsure of their eligibility or needing further assistance can locate their local Veterans Service Officer through the Find Your Local VSO feature on the EOVS website or contact the office directly at (617) 210-5480. Under the 2024 HERO Act, Chapter 115 benefits have expanded, ensuring veterans do not lose eligibility due to annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in state or federal benefits. Additionally, cities and towns can provide direct deposit options for faster and more convenient benefit distribution. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.