BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT: VA Healthcare Enrollment

WASHINGTON — On March 5, 2024, VA announced that all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military – at home or abroad – may be now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. This means that all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 may be eligible to enroll in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States may be eligible to enroll.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare administration will forward all applications submitted under TERRA for verification by the Veterans Benefits Administration for the claimed exposure.  Once this process is complete, and exposure has been confirmed by the VBA, the veteran will be notified.  At this time a prediction of how long the verification process will take is undetermined. 

We are here to answer your questions.  Please call to set an appointment.  This will afford you an opportunity to speak with a staff member to ensure your bring the correct documentation with you to your appointment.  This will assist in completion of paperwork to obtain the benefits you seek!

Seneca County Veterans Service Commission

The Veterans Service Commission in Seneca County operates under the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, Title 59 and has been in existence since 1886. The Commission oversees the operation of the Veterans Service Office, which is staffed at this time by four full time office employees, one full time driver, and three part time drivers.

Since 1946, the commission has employed County Veterans Service Officers who provide various services to veterans and their eligible dependents.

In addition to the basic services outlined here, the Veterans Service Office also works closely with various other agencies, both in the county and elsewhere, to ensure that eligible clients receive all of the benefits and services to which they are entitled.

Our Purpose

Our sole purpose is to help our veterans, their dependents, and survivors connect to the benefits they have earned.