Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes provided his 3^rdQuarter report Wednesday, to the Board of Supervisors. Holmes said one of the most popular, yet least know services available to veterans, is the “Veteran” designation on driver’s licenses.

Sample Iowa Driver’s License with the “Veteran” designation.

He said inquires about the program has brought veterans into his office at the courthouse, where they can also learn about the benefits they are entitled to, and apply for those benefits. Holmes said a total of 48 veterans applied for the driver’s license designation over the past quarter, with one dozen persons making their first trip to the VA Office in Atlantic.

Governor Branstad signed Senate File 2112 into law on April 19, 2012, requiring the veteran designation provision of the law to be implemented by July 1, 2013. The designation on Iowa DL’s and non-operator ID’s is a voluntary initiative designed to assist Iowa veterans. The Iowa Department of Transportation implemented the law January 15^th, six months ahead of schedule, to demonstrate the state’s support for its veterans.

To get the designation, an honorably discharged veteran must present a copy of their DD 214 or applicable discharge document to their county Veterans Affairs office. That office will complete an Iowa DOT form and confirm the applicant’s veteran status, which authorizes the Iowa DOT to place the designation on the individual’s DL or non-operator ID. The veteran must then take the completed form to any Iowa DL issuance location and request that the veteran designation be added to his or her DL or non-operator ID card. Veterans may expedite the process by bringing a completed application form with them to the county Veterans Affairs office, along with a copy of their DD 214. The form is available online at:  https://va.iowa.gov. 

Holmes said several people he saw or who contacted his office, weren’t aware a V-A Office even existed in Atlantic. He said many of the veterans he’s spoken with, especially the older ones, didn’t realize they qualify for benefits available to them. Holmes said the VA has done a good job of informing the younger soldiers currently serving in, or just coming out of the military, about their benefits. It’s the older veterans who may not be aware of what they are entitled to. They don’t have to be wounded in combat in order to receive certain benefits.

Holmes said his office helped Vets file a total of 82 claims for Federal VA Benefits last quarter, assisted a little over 200 veterans, and made more than 1,320 contacts with veterans through office and home visits, phone calls and correspondence.

A workshop covering Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and SSI benefits and employment will be held next month, in Atlantic. Cass County Mental Health/General Relief Coordinator Teresa Kanning says the event, which explains how a person can earn significant income and still protect their medical benefits, will take place May 14^th at the Cass County Center of Iowa Western Community College, in Atlantic. Workshop registration begins at 8:30-a.m., with the presentations starting at 9-a.m. and concluding by 4-p.m. Kanning said as of Wednesday (April 24^th), 20 seats were still available for the training program, which will be presented by Michael Walling.

Walling, who has a Masters in Education, is the author of “The Guide to Social Security Benefits and Work Incentives, and other publications on SSA benefits. He’s regarded as an authority in teaching the subject to beneficiaries and professional novices, in a “Plain English,” yet interesting style. The seminar will cover: How benefits impact Employment First initiatives; What is countable earned income?; How to manage benefits to avoid the loss of medical benefits; When can work incentives reduce the amount of income SSA counts?, and How much a person can earn.

Other topics include: The 4 conditions required to terminate from SSDI while working; How a person can earn $31,367 and maintain their eligibility for SSI and Medicaid; How someone earning more then $1,040 per month can still receive SSDI and Medicare, and whether or not a person is receiving the correct information and proper benefit plan from a benefit counselor.

Registration is $75 per person if completed by May 1^st, or $98 per person on or after May 1^st. You can register online at www.benefits-training.com.  For more information, call 610-696-1551.