American Legion Delivers Benefit Tips for Veterans

The American Legion has been helping veterans navigate their benefit application process since World War I. And last night at the Village Town Center, that process may have been even further demystified for some.

Wayne Macejek, the American Legion’s state director of veteran’s affairs and rehabilitation in Chicago, gave a presentation sponsored by the Bolingbrook Post that detailed the ins and outs of the VA benefit system for veterans and their families.

According to Macejek, who lives in Bolingbrook, many veterans are either unaware of the benefits available to them or don’t know how to go about claiming them.

“That’s the problem, they don’t know where to go,” he said. “They’re not aware of compensation, pension, or how to get burial benefits…for example, most don’t know they’re able to be buried at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery just south of Joliet.”

There are services at regional, local and state levels where veterans can seek assistance, Macejek said. He suggested veterans who need the help in Will County check with the VA Assistance Commission in Joliet, an American Legion Post, or contact the service officers at the county office of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairsor the National Guard Armoryin Joliet.

Macejek offered advice on applying for disability, medical, pension and burial benefits; as well as practical application tips--everything from what the government means when it asks for ‘evidence,’ to deadlines and securing medical records. American Legion members were also on hand to answer questions.

Bolingbrook Community Television will air the presentation for those who would like to learn more about applying for veteran’s benefits but were not able to attend.