Information

General Policies and Procedures of the Commission of Veteran Affairs

Guidelines: Temporary benefits provided to veterans and/or their families
  
1. Purpose of Agency: To provide "temporary assistance" to qualifying Veterans of Johnson County. Assistance is NOT intended to become a monthly pension. "Temporary assistance" shall be granted by the Commission and/or Director upon consideration of needs and qualifications of each veteran or dependent when it is evident there is an inability to provide or secure the necessities of life.
  
2. Temporary assistance provided under the various statutes of the State of Iowa, Johnson County statutes and guidelines and the policies of the Johnson County Veteran Affairs Commission with approval of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.
  
3. "Temporary" means four assists per individual/family per year. "Indigent" means impoverished or needy, or totally lacking in something specified.
  
4. Application is made in person when physically possible. Other arrangements can be made when necessary.
  
5. Temporary assistance for shelter, food, transportation, utilities, medical, telephone and burial, assistance in filing for pension, service and non-service connected disability, social security benefits, and in gaining admission to veteran's hospitals and care facilities when and where applicable.
  
6. Eligibility qualifications: Must be legal resident of Johnson County, be honorably discharged from the armed forces and served on active duty during the following dates:  
    World War I: April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918
    World War II: December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
    Korean Conflict: June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955
    Vietnam Conflict: February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975
    Lebanon and Granada: August 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984
    Panama: December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990
    Persian Gulf War: August 2, 1990 - until rescinded by Congress

    a. Qualify as an indigent veteran
    b. Qualify as a widow, married spouse or minor children (under the age of 18) of a veteran having served during the qualifying periods listed above.;

7. One of the following forms needed:
    DD-214, 215, 217, 256, 257
    Social Security card
    Certificate of Marriage or verification of common law marriage
    Birth certificate for all children listed as dependents on application

8. Income considered includes: Employment (net), pension, all retirement income, social security and SSI, FIP (Family Investment Program) formerly known as ADC, annuity and monthly insurance payments and any and all income not specified above.

9. Obligation of applicant: Complete any and all information forms prior to consideration for assistance; actively seek employment through Workforce Development Center; unless disabled, must accept any reasonable employment when available. Applicant may be required to provide reasonable proof he/she is actively seeking employment, to make application, when minor children are involved, for unemployment compensation and/or FIP children, if and when applicable. Finally, to make application for food stamps whenever possible.

10. Grave registration records: The Commission shall work closely with all funeral directors within Johnson County in acquiring two copies of grave registration records of deceased veterans buried in Johnson County. This commission will assist veterans in making application for Veteran's home in Marshalltown, Iowa.