Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs' Robbins Veteran Service Office moves to new location in Blue Island

CHICAGO - Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) Director L. Tammy Duckworth today announced the Cook County Veteran Service Office in Robbins has moved to a new location.  The Veteran Service Office's new location is 3301 Wireton Road in Blue Island and it will help to assist the over 350,000 Veterans who live in Cook County in applying for benefits from both the state and federal governments.

 

"The Veteran Service Offices are great resources for our Veterans to receive one-on-one assistance and to learn about what state and federal benefits are available to them.  We want to make sure our service men and women know about the benefits that they are entitled to when they return home to Illinois," said Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.

 

The Cook County Veteran Service Office in Blue Island houses one of the state's 73 Veteran Service Officers (VSOs).  The VSOs offer help to Veterans in applying for and receiving compensation and other benefits from the federal Veterans' Administration and make them aware of the state resources that are available.  Their primary job responsibility is assisting in applying for the millions of dollars in federal money that goes unclaimed each year by the 23.8 million Veterans across the country, and serve as a liaison between the state and the federal VA.

 

Veterans can receive assistance at the Cook County Blue Island office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  A full list of Veteran Service Offices can be found on IDVA's website, http://veterans.illinois.gov/offices.htm.

 

Veteran Service Offices serve as sign-up locations and informational hubs for the state's programs and benefits, including the following: 

 

·        Illinois Warrior Assistance Program - Illinois became the first state in the nation to launch a Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder program for returning Illinois veterans.  The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program offers a 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-866-554-IWAP (4927), which is staffed by health professionals to assist Veterans, day or night, with the symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and provides Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) screening to all interested Illinois veterans, especially those returning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  The Warrior Assistance Program also makes TBI screenings mandatory for all returning members of the Illinois Army National Guard.  More information is available at www.illinoiswarrior.com.

 

·        Veterans Care - Veterans Care provides affordable, comprehensive health care to Illinois Veterans who are uninsured or do not qualify for coverage through the federal Veterans Administration.  Under the first phase of Veterans Care, Veterans who don't have access to health insurance would be covered.  Participants who take part in the pilot program would be charged a $40 monthly premium.  Prescription drugs and doctors office visits would require a minimal co-payment, ranging from $6 to $15.

 

·        Veterans' Jobs Tax Credit - Employers can earn an income tax credit of up to $600 dollars annually for every qualified Veteran hired after January 1, 2007.  The credit is available for Veterans who were members of the Armed Forces, the Armed Force reserves, or the Illinois National Guard on active duty in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

 

·        Veteran's Cash - Launched in February of 2006, Veteran's Cash is the Lottery's first lottery ticket where 100 percent of proceeds go to support Illinois Veterans through grants to fund additional services or fund research relating to PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs, long term care and disability benefits.  IDVA encourages Illinois residents to purchase the ticket and at the same time encourages organizations to apply for the Veteran's Cash grants if they could provide any of these services to Veterans in Illinois. 

 

·        Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Camping Permits for disabled Veterans - The annual free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled Veterans are now a one-time, permanent issue.  The state also offers free camping permits for disabled Veterans who meet certain criteria.