More Than 5,500 Missourians Served Through the Efforts of the Veterans
Benefits Awareness Task Force 

JEFFERSON CITY - Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell announced at a meeting of the
state Veterans Benefits Awareness Task Force that there has been tremendous
progress in connecting Missouri veterans to their earned benefits. As
Chairman of the Veterans Benefits Awareness Task Force, Maxwell and the task
force embarked on a vigorous outreach campaign to connect over 30,000
Missouri veterans to their earned benefits. In 2002, the task force began
holding Supermarkets of Veterans Benefits throughout the state to inform
veterans about these benefits, as well as implementing a toll-free benefits
hotline. Since these measures were introduced, Missouri has grown from 43rd
to 35th in the nation in connecting veterans to benefits.

"We're excited and inspired by our progress after beginning this outreach
just a little over a year ago," Maxwell said. "Our veterans have already
earned these benefits, and it's time we make sure they know what might be
available for them and their families."

Since July of 2002, 13 Supermarkets have been held in various cities across
Missouri. Between 25 and 55 organizations offered their services at each
Supermarket, and assistance ranged from credit and debt assistance to free
health screenings. To date, over 2,500 Missourians were served at these
Supermarkets.

During the same time frame, the toll-free hotline was implemented in order
to serve those veterans and their families who were not able to attend a
Supermarket. So far, over 3,000 Missourians have called the toll-free
hotline for assistance.

The task force also noted that the Missouri Veterans Commission showed a 35%
increase in initial disability claims submitted during the past year. The
task force believes this trend of increasing benefits is due to the efforts
of the past year.

"We know we are making progress because we are seeing the increase in claims
and hearing about the benefits from the veterans themselves," Maxwell said.
"But we still have a lot of work to do and more Missourians to reach."

Three more Supermarkets of Veterans Benefits are scheduled for this year.
The next one will take place at Boonville High School in Boonville, MO Sat.,
Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Veterans or their family members can inquire about eligibility for VA
benefits by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-866-VETINFO (1-866-838-4636),
or logging onto www.mvc.state.mo.us to locate the nearest Veterans Service
Officer.