By Ron Vivion,
Board Chairman
Veterans’ Assistance Fund
A little-known program in Snohomish County provides critical assistance to veterans who are in need.
The Veterans’ Assistance Fund, operated by the Snohomish County Human Services Department and authorized by state law, requires that each county provide funds to help veterans and their family members who are experiencing hardship.
The funding for this program comes from a small portion of the property taxes paid by county residents. The amount of tax allocated to veterans’ needs, at the present, is just slightly more than one-half cent per thousand dollars of property valuation.
Put another way, for each $100,000 of property that is subject to property taxes, owners pay slightly more than 50 cents annually toward veterans’ support!
A volunteer board advises the county on this program, and in preparing for the 2018 budget, the leadership of the board has advocated to the county executive and county council for more funding. As the current Veterans’ Assistance Fund board chairman, I have requested that the county “add a penny for vets.”
As I told the county: “By increasing the portion of the property tax dedicated to the program, we are able to make an impact on the significant needs in our county.”
The assistance that this program provides can vary. It includes things like short-term financial help to veterans and their families — keeping the electricity on, buying gas so they can get to medical appointments or putting food on the table until a job is found.
Longer-term solutions include getting homeless veterans into adequate housing, connecting eligible vets to available services, helping them find jobs and working to qualify them for Veterans Administration benefits for which many are eligible.
The Veterans Assistance Fund board is asking county leadership to increase the percentage of property tax going to veterans in need by 1 cent per thousand dollars of valuation.
Snohomish County has the third greatest number of veterans of all counties in Washington state and it has the second highest property valuation. Yet, it raises far fewer dollars than other counties for this need.
The fund asks for public help in two ways.
Your voice in support of this issue is needed. The 2018 county budget is now being discussed. Talk to your county council member, and let him or her know that you support veterans in our community.
Additionally, the Veterans’ Assistance Fund board has openings for veteran volunteers who would like to help in these efforts. If you are interested in finding out more, contact me at ronald.vivion@snoco.org.
If you are a veteran who is interested in what the program might have to offer, contact the Veterans’ Assistance Fund at 425-388-7255.
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