Funds for vets on Camano Island

The Island County Veterans Assistance Fund provides limited emergency assistance to eligible veterans and their dependents, according to Veterans Services Coordinator Gerald Pfannenstiel.

The goal is to help veterans through a temporary financial hardship — be it a voucher system or guidance to other resources.

Types of assistance range from food, rental and utilities, to liaison with the Veterans Administration and referrals to services.

Eligibility requirements include having served in active duty for more than 180 days, and the veteran must have resided in Washington state for the past 12 months.

To be assisted in this program, the veteran must also be indigent, i.e. the vet and his or her house hold members must be below 150 percent of the poverty guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Resources.

Application forms are available at the Island County Annex office on Camano Island, or by mail, by calling Pfannenstiel.

For information, call 360-678-7805 or e-mail to g.pfannenstiel@co.island. wa.us or call the commander of American Legion Post 207, Jerry Purdum, at 360- 387-9472.