Manatee County Government
Informational seminars for veterans planned as Manatee County celebrates National County Government Month
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (March 29, 2011) – This April, to commemorate National County Government Month, Manatee County Government will host a series of Friday morning seminars designed to assist local veterans in obtaining service related benefits.
Each year counties across the country celebrate National County Government Month to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of county government. This year’s theme is "Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Their Families."
“Manatee County offers our veteran population an extensive set of services and programs to assist them and their families in obtaining the benefits they earned while serving our country,” says Brenda Rogers, Community Services Director. “We see these seminars as the perfect opportunity to highlight those programs and to celebrate National County Month.”
The schedule is as follows:
• April 1 – Health Care Benefits and Entitlements:
This discussion will cover topics regarding the entire VA Health Care System and the healthcare benefits available to qualifying Veterans;
• April 8 – Non-Service Connected and Widow Pensions:
This discussion will cover the benefit and entitlement requirements necessary to obtain either Non-Service Connected or Widow Pensions, along with the amount of compensation that is typically awarded;
• April 15 – Service Connected Disability and Compensation:
This discussion will cover the definition of a Service-Connected disability and what documentation is required by the VA before a disability is determined as Service Connected. Award amounts and entitlements will also be addressed;
• April 22 – Burial Benefits and the Sarasota National Cemetery:
This discussion will cover all burial benefits and entitlements including the eligibility for burial in a National Cemetery such as the new Sarasota National Cemetery.
• April 29 – Open Forum Q & A on Veteran Administration Benefits and Services:
This open forum will be a questions and answers presentation along with a discussion of VA benefits not previously addressed in the seminar series such as home loans, education, adaptive equipment request, etc.
All presentations will be held in the first floor chambers of the Manatee County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave., W., in downtown Bradenton. Seats are limited and will be given to those who arrive first.
Coffee and snacks will be provided at 9 a.m. in the lobby. The seminar will begin at 9:30 am, adjourning by 11 a.m. For more information, call Manatee County Community Services Department at (941) 749-3030. For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org