The Shelby County Veterans Service Office will administer a $20,000.00 grant awarded by Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans Assistance. The grant funds will reimburse drivers who transport Veterans or their family members who are qualified to use VA medical facilities, to and from medical appointments at Overton Brooks VAMC, Charles Wilson OPC, Longview TX CBOC, or Michael E DeBakey in Houston. Drivers cannot be related to the Veteran. Veterans who qualify for reimbursement of travel by VA are not eligible to use this grant.

 

Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 15, Section 460.10(3) prohibits distribution of cash or a cash equivalent to veterans and/or their families. ONLY non family member drivers will be reimbursed.

 

Veterans/qualified family members who are interested in using the grant to reimburse their driver, must live in Shelby County, San Augustine County, or Sabine County. The Veteran or Veterans qualified family member must report to the Veterans Service Office and provide DD-214 with acceptable discharge, an appointment letter from the VA medical facility, and a VA Identification card.

 

The driver must report to the Veterans Service Office and provide a copy of their driver’s license, current insurance, and registration. They will then obtain a mileage form to complete for reimbursement.  Upon completion of the medical appointment the Veteran must have their appointment slip date and time stamped by the VA facility.

 

The veteran will return the appointment slip and mileage sheet to the Veterans Service Officer for submission for reimbursement.  Reimbursements could take up to two weeks.

 

The grant period will run from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.  The Shelby County Veterans Service Office has a list of drivers who are willing to transport.  We are happy to include the Veterans of San Augustine and Sabine counties to participate in this grant.

 

Shelby County and San Augustine veterans should report to VSO Sherry Riley at the Veterans Service Office located in the Historic Courthouse. Sabine County veterans should report to VSO T.L. “Shorty” Warren in Hemphill.

 

For more information contact: Sherry Riley @ 598-6530