(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Veteran’s Affairs Administrator Mitch Holmes, Wednesday, provided the Board of Supervisors with his Quarterly Report. Holmes said there were six claims for emergency assistance during the past quarter, totaling more than $1,942, including one indigent burial ($1,500), which accounts for most of the cost.

The auto repairs ($141) were with regard to a veteran’s camper which broke down in the Hy-Vee parking lot. The amount paid also included a place for the veteran to stay while his vehicle was being repaired. Since those types of situations don’t fit the department’s policies, they sought- out and received donations to help with the costs of repairs.

With regard to Federal VA Benefits, Mitch Holmes said…

“So for the quarter,” he said, “We helped 126 individual veterans. Had 129 office visits and 11 home visits.” Home contacts and written correspondence were included as part of the Cass County VA Office services, as well. Year-to-date data, he said, show there were three indigent burials ($4,500 total)…the highest they’ve had in the past couple of years, Holmes said. They made two rent payments ($1,250 total), covered grocery costs for two other clients ($198 total) and made eight trips to the VA hospital ($312 value).

So far over the past year, Holmes said they’ve helped 374 individual veterans, made 396 office visits and 39 home visits, 673 telephone calls, and had 810 pieces of correspondence, including faxes and e-mails. The VA Office brings-in $440,000 per month in Federal benefits for Veterans in the County to receive.