Veteran Assistance
$250,000 Grant Will Expand Services for Area Veterans and Families
The Texas Veterans Commission has awarded $250,000 from the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance to United Way of Tarrant County to provide services to veterans in 2012. The funds will expand the veteran services currently provided by United Way’s Area Agency on Aging and its 2-1-1 information and referral service.
Veterans Assistance Program Application Form
The grant will enable 2-1-1 to hire a Veteran Specialist to assess the needs of people who inquire about veteran services and provide information about local programs, including those provided by the Area Agency on Aging. The specialist will follow up to see if the person’s situation has improved and determine if more assistance is needed.
2-1-1 estimates it will be able to assist 5,000 veterans in 2012, as well as 1,700 veteran dependents and 120 surviving spouses.
The $250,000 grant also will make possible a pool of funds that will be used to help veterans of all ages and their households pay for assistance with food, rent, utilities, transportation, home and car repairs, and child care.
A new Veteran Services Consultant to be hired by the Area Agency on Aging with grant funds will manage the pool of funds. The Veteran Services Consultant will work with veterans, dependents and surviving spouses to determine their eligibility for services purchased with money from the pool.
The consultant also will help them enroll in other assistance programs for which they qualify and will continue helping those who have complex needs. It’s anticipated that 250 veterans and an additional 200 dependents and 60 surviving spouses will benefit.
Since 2010, United Way’s Area Agency on Agency has had a staff person assigned to work directly with veterans who are at risk of nursing home placement. Such veterans are eligible for financial assistance through the Veterans Administration to help them get the help they need to live well at home.
Our Vision
Tarrant County will be a place where children, individuals and families thrive, where neighbors care for each other and where people willingly share the responsibility of ensuring a safe and healthy community for all.
Our Mission
To improve lives across our diverse communities by:
- Prioritizing needs in education, income and health
- Forming innovative and effective partnerships with other organizations
- Strategically raising and investing resources to make lasting change
Our Diversity Statement
United Way of Tarrant County values and seeks diversity by respecting the knowledge, abilities and experience of all individuals. Our commitment is to support an inclusive environment reflecting our United Way communities and accomplishing our mission.
