Dedicated to Our Veterans!
The Richland County Veterans Service Office is a county agency dedicated to helping honorably discharged veterans, active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States, their spouse, their widow, and their dependent children who have met with an unexpected hardship resulting from lack of employment, illness, or injury.
All veterans should bring their DD 214 to our office for record purposes, and talk to a service officer about any possible future benefits. If you do not have this record, our service officers can help you apply for this, and record it in the Richland County Recorder’s Office, so you will never have to worry about getting one again.
Ohio is the only state that provides such comprehensive support and services to its veterans, active duty personnel, and their dependents. Each of the 88 counties in Ohio has a Veterans Service Commission office with a board of five appointed commissioners who administer the programs of their respective county . Each of the offices operate with monies provided through county real estate taxes.
Service Connected Disability Compensation
Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. The service of the veteran must have been terminated through separation or discharge under conditions that were other than dishonorable. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number of eligible dependents, and is paid monthly. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax.
Non-Service Connected Disability Pension
Low-income wartime veterans may qualify for pension if they meet certain requirements:
- Wartime service
- Income and net worth limits set by law
- Age 65 or older
- Permanently and totally disabled
- A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care
- Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance
- Or: Receiving Supplemental Security Income
Please click on the Pension Checklist on the right for a list of required paperwork.
Death Pension
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a small pension to eligible widows of deceased veterans. This program is similar to the non-service connected disability pension for veterans, because it is a program that is based on income and net worth. The Pension Checklist on the right of the page lists what is needed to apply.
Death Benefits
We will assist the widow/widower and dependents of the deceased veteran with help in obtaining grave markers and headstones, as long as the veteran was discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, and they meet the eligibility requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs. We also inform the family about any other benefits they may be entitled to, and help them apply for them.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a benefit paid to eligible dependents of veterans who died of a disease or injury they received while on active military duty, or who died as a result of a service connected disability.
Service Records and Medals
Copies of service records and medals may be obtained through the National Personnel Records Center by coming into our office and completing the required application. The records may be requested by the veteran, and immediate family members if the veteran is deceased .
Home Loan Guaranty
VA home loan guaranties are issued to help eligible service members, veterans, reservists, and unmarried surviving spouses obtain homes, condominiums, and manufactured homes, and to refinance loans. For additional information visit: www.homeloans.va.gov.
Other possible benefits:
- Health Care
- Life Insurance
- Ohio Veterans Home Applications
- Increases in compensation or pension
- Appeals
- Income Verification Statements