Christian County Veterans' Service Office In Taylorville Now Open Full-Time

CHICAGO – For Illinois Veterans in and near Taylorville in Christian County, getting in to meet with Veterans Service Officer Justin Jennings got a bit easier starting April 1, 2013 with the change of from a part-time to a full-time staffed office. 

The new hours of operation for the Christian County VSO office are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except on State holidays.  The office remains at 1100 North Cheney Street, Taylorville, IL 62626 and is co-located with other State agencies.

Justin Jennings, the VSO for the Taylorville office, serves as subject matter experts on federal, state and local benefits and programs available for the areas veteran community.

Veterans wishing to contact a VSO between office days may use the “Stand Up and Be Counted” online tool at www.veterans.illinois.gov. Veterans who do so will be assisting their fellow veterans by helping IDVA and the entire veteran advocacy community to gain a better understanding of the location and number of Illinois’ veterans. This will in planning future services, seeking additional federal VA funding and facilities, and generally help to serve Illinois’ veterans better.

The Veterans’ Service Office is part of a statewide network that assists Illinois veterans in navigating a network of resources and benefits available to them. Offices are staffed by professionals who provide accurate, up-to-date information, answer questions, and assist with preparing and filing of claims for federal, state and local benefits completely free of charge.

Assistance provided by VSOs includes:

• Compensation Benefits and Document Assistance – Combat and service-related bonus payments and compensation, DD214 certificates.
• Survivor and Burial Benefits – Graves registration, grave markers.
• Educational Benefits – G.I. Bill, Troops to Teachers, Scholarships.
• Employment Benefits – Employment preference, Jobs for Vets program.
• Real Estate and Permits – Homestead and Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead exemptions, Adapted Housing exemptions, camping and admissions fees, hunting and fishing licenses.
• Referral Assistance – Facilitating access to federal VA health care and counseling services.
• Illinois Veterans Homes – Assist in applying for admission to one of four state-managed homes throughout Illinois.

For more information, please visit www.veterans.illinois.gov or call 1-800-437-9824.