SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Some Seminole County veterans now have extra money in their pockets thanks to Seminole County Veterans’ Services.
According to the county’s Veterans’ Services office, it was able to obtain $5 million in backpay for veterans in 2023 from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. That does not include the monthly payments these veterans will receive moving forward.
Before working as a Veterans’ Services officer, George Renna didn’t think there was anything there for him when it came to veterans’ benefits.
“These guys who said, ‘No you need to fill this out, let’s look at your record and see where you were and what happened and what’s your medical history’ and consequently, I was entitled,” Renna said.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Renna served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War in the 9th Infantry Battalion as an E-4 Specialist.
As it turns out, Renna was eligible for around $13,000 in backpay and will now receive $3,900 a month in benefits.
“You know, I think particularly the Vietnam-era guys, they’re very keep to themselves, don’t talk about anything and I was one of them, and so it’s just like you can’t believe it,” Renna said. “It’s almost like too good to be true. It’s crazy.”
Jason Althouse is a Veterans’ Services Officer for Seminole County. He said they’re there to help veterans navigate paperwork from the VA if they’re struggling with the process.
“We help them win appeals, claims that they’ve been fighting for years, or things they never knew they were eligible to apply for,” Althouse said.
Althouse said they are seeing dozens if not hundreds of veterans a week. He also served in the military and said it’s a good feeling when veterans and their families get the benefits they deserve.
“You see people from all walks of life whether they’ve been out for 10 years whether they’ve been out for 50 years and getting benefits that they earned and they’re now receiving it’s a good feeling because lots of times we get told they’re waiting for the veteran to die, or that nothing is going to happen and to see it actually come to fruition whether it’s for the veteran, their family or their spouse – it’s a really good feeling,” Althouse said.
For more information on the Veterans’ Services Office in Seminole County, click here.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: