The Superintendent of the DeKalb County Veterans Assistance Commission, Tammy Anderson, explained her passion for helping veterans receive their full benefits during this week’s Rotary meeting. Anderson is a veteran herself. She served eight years in the Air Force serving first in special investigations with time as a driving instructor (where she taught advanced safety and maneuvering skills) and then serving as a drill instructor. She said after her discharge she had a bad experience going through the process of accessing her civilian benefits leading to her interest in her current job. Anderson said the Commission helped bring in $4.4 million in federal funds last year as benefits to area veterans.
Anderson said she wants to dispel the myth that claiming veterans benefits takes away potential services from others. She said each veteran earns the right to their benefits and they deserve the right to receive them. This includes educational benefits, disability compensation, personal healthcare, burials, lost discharge searches, plus information on other state and federal benefits. The Commission has resources to help homeless veterans (many suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) but that instances of these locally are low with some people improperly claiming to be veterans when they are not.
The DeKalb County Veterans Commission was created through voter approval in 2006. A total of 51 counties in Illinois have such Commissions. Those seeking assistance are encouraged to call the Commission office at (815) 756-8129 to schedule an appointment.