Local U.S. military veterans and their qualified advocates can now count on personal assistance in sorting out affairs related to their armed service through Chapala’s American Legion Post 7.
Post Commander Randall Butler has announced that his predecessor Richard Thompson is taking up the position of Veterans Service Officer (VSO). He will be available for free consultations on the second and third Monday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“You do not need to be an American Legion member to get the help from our VSO,” Randall says, noting that the American Legion can represent any veteran, dependent, surviving spouse or other individuals who may be eligible for VA benefits. However, he points out that any claimant must sign a VA Form 221-22 that assigns power of attorney (POA) to the Legion.
A POA may be accepted by the American Legion only from individuals in the following categories: (1) the veteran; (2) an incompetent veteran’s legally constituted guardian or spouse, parent, other near of kin relative, or manager of a hospital or institution in which such veteran is maintained; (3) a deceased veteran’s dependents or designated beneficiaries, or, if incompetent, the fiduciaries of such persons; and (4) persons entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with the last sickness and burial of the veteran.
For further details visit Post 7 at Calle Morelos 114, at the corner of Guerrero, in Chapala, open daily from 9 a.m.