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Allen County approves increase to veterans burial and marker reimbursements
Summary
The Allen County Commissioners approved an addition to the county code raising the burial and marker reimbursement for eligible service members to a total of $700; the county veteran service officer described application steps and eligibility requirements.
Allen County commissioners on June 6 approved an addition to the Allen County Code (Title 1, General Provisions, Article 33) that raises the county reimbursement for eligible veterans— burial and marker costs, the county veteran service officer said.
The change increases the county marker allowance from $100 to $200 and the burial allowance from $100 to $500, for a combined maximum reimbursement of $700, Joe Lawson, Allen County veteran service officer, told commissioners. "So a total of $700 that could be reimbursed to the family," Lawson said.
Lawson told the commission the benefit is applied for through the funeral home, which helps families complete the application; the veteran service office reviews eligibility and the auditors office applies the payment. He said eligibility requires a favorable discharge: "You'd have a good honorable discharge. Something other than a bad discharge, bad conduct." Commissioners moved and seconded adoption of the code addition; the motion carried.
Why it matters: commissioners and Lawson framed the change as a modernization of an allowance that has been at the prior level for decades. Lawson said the amount on the books dated back many years and the increase is intended to provide greater relief to families at the time of need.
Lawson also described other veteran services supported locally, including a state award: "The governor's challenge was awarded, and we were awarded $175,000 to create a non for profit," he said, describing a brick-and-mortar peer-support site at 201 East Rudersoll Avenue called Action Over Silence and Veteran Suicide. Commissioners and Lawson discussed using commission meetings and public outreach to share information about available services.
The ordinance addition was approved during the legislative session; commissioners did not specify a start date in the discussion. The county veteran service office said families who lack discharge paperwork should contact the office for assistance in obtaining required records.
