PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County veterans assistance fund will get a cost-of-living increase for the first time in decades.
The Board of County Commissioners passed the increase during their meeting on Monday.
“There really hadn’t been any cost-of-living increase for them since the mid-’90s,” said John Hamilton, the chair of the Jefferson County Veterans Advisory Board (JCVAB).
The fund comes from a property tax line item and costs county property owners $2 to $3 a year, depending on the value of their properties, Hamilton said.
“That brings in an estimated cost of $53,000 a year,” Hamilton said.
The money is distributed to Jefferson County residents with incomes of less than 200 percent of the poverty level, Hamilton said.
The fund allows JCVAB to distribute grocery vouchers, rent, utilities and medical support.
“It’s (for) veterans and/or their dependents,” Hamilton said. “Some of our people that come in are the widows of veterans who are devastated after the veteran left, and a lot of their income disappears when they pass on.”
Most of the benefits are distributed as food vouchers, Hamilton said.
“For food assistance, we’re going from $150 to $225, somewhere in that realm,” Hamilton said. “It’s a substantial increase. I’m sure that they will be very happy with that.”
According to the updated policy document, food vouchers will increase to $240 for single veterans, $320 for married veterans and $320 plus $80 per dependent for veterans with dependents.
While there is no set number of times an individual can use the assistance, the policy outlines it should be used in cases of emergency, that frequent applications should be reviewed carefully, and applicants should be advised of the intent for emergency use.
The fund also provides a death benefit to families of veterans, and it mostly ends up going toward funeral expenses, Hamilton said.
The requirement for veterans to make less than 200 percent of the poverty line does not apply to the death benefit, Hamilton said.
“If I pass away, my wife’s gonna be entitled to the $800, and I make well above that,” he said.
Previously $500, the death benefit will be increased to $800, according to the policy updates passed by the board.
The fund also provides veterans with rent and utilities support in emergency circumstances, according to the updated policy.
Medical support is generally given on a one-time basis for qualified applicants. Aid, generally for things like purchasing prescription medications, is available up to $160. In some cases, monthly support can be offered.
Hamilton said he hopes distributing the increased benefits in September.
“We have over $200,000 sitting in the fund,” Hamilton said. “One of the things that we want to do is more outreach to see if we can find more veterans that are in need.”
Vouchers are issued by appointment twice a month, with two board members present to review paperwork and sign the vouchers.
To view a list of required paperwork, visit jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/527/Veteran-Services.
To make an appointment for benefits, call BOCC executive assistant Wendy Housekeeper at 360-385-9384.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@peninsuladailynews.com.
