Many veterans view applying for public assistance as a handout and instead maintain focus on pursuing their claims for VA compensation or pension. However, what happens to a veteran who was not injured, does not have any conditions related to their service, and did not serve during a time of war? These veterans are still in need of assistance and at the Nevada County Veterans Services Office, we assist our veterans with applying for every benefit that is entitled to them. This means that veterans who are not eligible for VA benefits are still getting assistance with obtaining healthcare and overcoming food insecurity. Additionally, starting January 1, 2024, California will no longer be counting a veteran’s financial benefits from the VA as earned income when applying for Medi-Cal or CalFresh (food stamps) benefits. Previously, veterans who were receiving either VA compensation or pension payments had these benefits count as earned income and it often proved to be a barrier to overcoming food insecurity or accessing other healthcare programs that might be available through access to Medi-Cal benefits. With California no longer calculating a veteran’s financial benefits that have been earned as a result of his or her honorable service, more veterans will have every resource available to overcoming homelessness, food insecurity, and providing adequate care to our elderly veterans.
Contact David West, Nevada County Veterans Service Officer, at (530) 265-1446 or david.west@nevadacountyca.gov. The Nevada County Veteran’s Services Office, located at 988 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, is open from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.