Resources for Veterans There are a wealth of resources and organizations dedicated to serving veterans and their families in recognition of their service and sacrifices made. There are a tremendous number of resources out there, many of which can be accessed by www.OhioVets.gov We wanted to include a few items here worth mentioning specifically, but will have far more online at www.ThunderRoadsOhio.com – just click on the veterans tab.
Veterans Crisis Line The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has established a national Veterans Crisis Line to ensure that Veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans, family members and friends can call the lifeline number, 800-273-TALK (8255) and press “1” to be routed to the hotline and speak to a counselor about any issue that is creating a crisis situation in his or her life. Contact: 800-273-8255 or text 4HOPE to 741 741 (Ohio’s Crisis Text Line) website: www.veteranscrisisline.net Ohio Veterans Bonus A State Bonus for those serving in Afghanistan and Elsewhere This program provides a monetary bonus for those who served during the time of the conflict in Afghanistan. It pays $100 per month for service in Afghanistan and $50 per month for service elsewhere, up to a maximum of $1,500. Eligibility: Veterans (including those currently serving) can determine if they are eligible by visiting the website and using the eligibility tools. Generally, anyone who served honorably anywhere in the world for more than 90 days (not for training) on or after October 7, 2001 is eligible. Applicants must have been Ohio residents at the time of entry onto active duty and must be current Ohio residents.
State Hunting and Fishing
County Veterans Service Offices
Eligibility: Ohio Revised Code provides for eligible resident disabled Veterans and former prisoners of war to receive a fishing license, hunting license, fur taker permit, deer permit, wild turkey permit, wetlands habitat stamp or any combination of these licenses free of charge.
In Ohio, each county has a Veterans Service Office which is staffed with professionals that are certified and dedicated to helping Veterans, their spouses and children, as well as surviving family members of deceased Veterans. They can assist Ohio’s Veterans in applying for benefits earned by active military service. These include:
More information can be found at http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov or by calling 800-Wildlife (945-3543).
State – Veterans Bonus, Education, Employment, Healthcare, Home Loans, Ohio Veterans Homes, and Military Injury Relief Fund. Local – Claim Preparation and Assistance, Financial Assistance, Transportation to VA Medical Appointments, and Indigent Burials. Many County Veterans Service and County Recorders also make Veterans ID Cards.
Contact: Applications and Q&A are located at: www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov or at any of Ohio’s 88 County Veterans Service Offices. For more information, call 877-OHIOVET (877-644-6838), select option 2.
Ohio Veterans can find their local Service Office by calling 877-OHIO-VET (877-6446838) or by visiting www.OhioVets.gov For instance, the Washington County Veterans Commission (see below) has partnered with Thunder Roads Ohio to help get their message to more Veterans. They will also have copies of Thunder Roads Ohio available each month at their offices.
Please Note: Bonuses offered by the State of Ohio for service during previous wars have expired
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THUNDER ROADS® OHIO MAGAZINE
Federal – Disability Compensation, Pension, Healthcare, Education, Home Loans, Burial and Survivor Benefits
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OHIO’S MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE
