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Summit County Fiscal Office unveils new veteran ID program
On May 28, Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise unveiled a new program to help veterans avoid losing their discharge record or DD 214. Veterans who received an honorable discharge can stop by the fiscal office's recorder division, record the original form and receive an identification card to carry around.
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 10, 2013
As most war veterans know, their discharge record or DD 214 is one of the most vital documents they possess since it is key to processing benefit and payment requests. Yet it is not uncommon for this document to be misplaced or for the veteran’s family to be unaware of where it is kept, necessitating a replacement, which can take weeks or months.
On May 28, Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise unveiled a new program to help veterans and their families avoid such problems, issuing veteran identification cards to anyone who has served the country and received an honorable discharge.
“Most veterans end up carrying their DD Form 214 around with them,” said Scalise. “We are offering them a chance to come into our office, record the original and receive an identification card which they can carry around with them.”
There is no cost to record the DD 214, but veterans are asked to pay $1 for the card, which is about the size of a driver’s license and easily fits into a wallet.
“The card is accepted by retail establishments that offer discounts and incentives to veterans, and the magnetic strip on the back of the card can be read by card readers with just a swipe.”
Scalise said a veteran does not need to be a resident of Summit County to take advantage of the program, however, he or she must have a valid DD 214 and two forms of identification, including one that contains a photo such as a driver’s license or valid passport. Other acceptable documents are an original birth certificate, a license or permit to carry a concealed weapon issued by Ohio or any other state as well as an ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. military.
“If a veteran loses the ID card, he or she simply comes back to our office and we issue a new one,” said Scalise. “The replacement costs $1. The card also provides backup in the event that the veteran passes away and the family needs to have proof of service.”
Those veterans interested in obtaining an identification card are asked to come to the Summit County Fiscal Office, Recorder Division on the fourth floor at 175 S. Main St. in Akron during regular business hours.
“We have had a great response rate so far,” said Scalise. “During the first three days we processed 312 people and there is always a line at the window.”
Larry Moore, executive director of the Summit County Veterans Service Commission, is among those who helped get the word out about the program, which was timed to start the day after Memorial Day.
“I have seen similar programs in Stark and other counties,” said Moore. “I am glad we have one now.
“The DD 214 is critical for anyone applying for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the state of Ohio because it contains the veteran’s character of service, meaning whether he or she received an honorable or dishonorable military discharge,” said Moore.
“Whether the veteran is filing for VA benefits related to an injury or illness, wants a home loan, money to pay for an education or points on a civil service exam, it all starts with that document. It is also key for the spouse or family of a deceased veteran to have this document if they are seeking to file a claim for VA death benefits.”
Moore said if a veteran or the family cannot find the DD 214, his first course of action is to call the county recorder’s office to see if there is one on file. But all too many times, he said, his office comes up empty requiring Moore to reach out to state officials or the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
“They have to look through their archives which, despite advances in technology, can still take a considerable amount of time,” said Moore. “Personally I’ve always done my utmost to guard my DD 214. It is on file with the county recorder’s office and I keep several copies of it.”
He said any time a DD 214 copy is made it must be properly certified, which means that it has been stamped as a “true and exact copy” by a county veterans service officer, the VA or is registered at the county recorder’s office. The VA, the state of Ohio and social security will not accept a DD 214 that is not an original or a certified copy of an original, Moore said.
“The certification requirement is more important than ever these days because technology has made it easier for people to alter their discharge status or create entirely false documents.
“The VA and state of Ohio have a limited amount of resources and we want to be sure they go to veterans who served their country honorably,” said Moore.