Published: November 10, 2009 04:16 pm      

CLERE: Vets deserve more than just words

We could say thank you a thousand times, and it wouldn't be enough.

In Floyd County, we would have to say it at least 7,467 times, and in Clark County, 9,010. That's how many veterans are living in each county, according to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

It still wouldn't be enough.

Indiana is home to 509,300 veterans, and every one of them deserves our deepest gratitude. But they deserve more than just our thanks. Indiana provides many benefits for veterans and, in some cases, their dependents and survivors. Following is a summary. Each benefit has specific requirements; contact my office for details.

• Property Tax Deduction - Disabled veterans are eligible to receive property tax deductions ranging from $12,480 to $37,440, depending on disability, age and service. Surviving spouses are also eligible. The deduction can save hundreds of dollars - or more - a year, depending on local tax rates.

• Free College Tuition - Purple Heart recipients are entitled to free tuition at state colleges and universities. Children of Purple Heart recipients and disabled veterans may also qualify.

• Delayed High School Diploma - If a veteran left high school to serve in the military, he may be eligible for a delayed high school diploma. The veteran must have served during World War II, Korea or Vietnam and have been in good standing when he left school and honorably discharged from the military.

• Employment Assistance - The Indiana Department of Work force Development provides special services to Hoosier veterans. Various Work force Development offices throughout Indiana are equipped to assist veterans with their transition from the service to civilian life. The Disabled Veterans Outreach Program specializes in training and job placement for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and the Local Veterans' Employment Representative Program provides veterans with career counseling and helps identify training and employment opportunities.

• Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing License - Veterans with service-connected disabilities may purchase a license for $2.75, a significant savings.

• License Plates - The state offers the following specialty license plates which are available for purchase by veterans: Hoosier Veteran, Disabled American Veteran, Former Prisoner of War, and Purple Heart. In addition, anyone may purchase a “Support Our Troops” license plate. The additional fee for the plate supports the Indiana Military Family Relief Fund.

• Free Metered Parking - Vehicles with a Disabled American Veteran or Former Prisoner of War license plate can park at parking meters free of charge.

• Indiana Veterans Home - The Indiana Veterans Home is a long-term care facility that combines independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care in a single location in West Lafayette. The facility accepts any veteran and spouse or widow of a veteran, regardless of age. If a veteran has a service-connected disability of at least 70 percent, his stay is free.

• Health Benefits Assistance - The State Health Insurance Assistance Program assists veterans and other Hoosiers with questions about Medicare, long-term care insurance and prescription coverage. Call SHIP at 1-800-452-4800 to speak to a counselor.

• Memorial Certificate - A special certificate, signed by the governor, is available to surviving family members upon the death of an honorably discharged veteran to commemorate his service.

• Military Family Relief Fund - The General Assembly created the Military Family Relief Fund in 2006. The fund assists families of service members called to active duty after Sept. 11, 2001. Families can apply for assistance with food, housing, utilities, medical services, basic transportation and other essential expenses that have become difficult to afford after a family member joins the armed forces. In 2009, I voted to expand assistance to include education and employment costs.

I will continue to work to make sure all of our active-duty military and their families are given the same access to benefits at the state level. While many of our current active-duty military joined after Sept. 11, 2001, I want to ensure that regardless of a service member's date of enlistment, they all enjoy the same access to benefits at the state level.

As we celebrate Veterans Day tomorrow, we'll say thank you, and we'll also remember that actions speak louder than words.

FLOOD ASSISTANCE UPDATE

It came as no surprise last week when the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Indiana's appeal of the agency's decision not to provide disaster assistance to Indiana for the Aug. 4 storms and flooding. Now we have to move on.

Last Friday, the Small Business Administration — another federal agency — declared a disaster, which means businesses and individuals in Floyd and Clark counties are eligible to apply for low-interest SBA loans to repair or replace flood-damaged property. It's important to note that SBA assistance is not just for businesses but also for individuals.

The interest rate for individuals who have access to other credit is 5.5 percent. For those who cannot obtain other credit, the rate is 2.75 percent. Additional details — including information about how to apply — should be available this week.

Individuals and families who don't qualify for an SBA loan may be eligible to receive limited assistance from the Indiana Disaster Relief Fund, but they will first have to apply for SBA assistance.

Rep. Ed Clere represents District 72 in the Indiana House of Representatives. He may be reached by phone at 1-800-382-9841, by e-mail at h72@in.gov or by mail at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Room 401-7, Indianapolis, IN 46204.