Approve increase of Veterans Relief Fund Assistance due to COVID-19 pandemic through the end of 2020 BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF: RESOLUTION NO. 20-142
APPROVE INCREASE OF VETERANS RELIEF FUND
ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
THROUGH THE END OF 2020
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), Lewis County, Washington,
has received a request to increase payments through the Veterans Relief Fund (VRF) for
qualifying Veterans requesting assistance with rent, food, and utilities beginning May 1,
2020 through December 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, funding would increase rental assistance from 5750 to S1,500, food
vouchers from S450 to $900 and utilities assistance from $450 to $900; and
WHEREAS, during this COVID 19 pandemic, some Veterans are being laid off or
furloughed by their employers. This paired with product limitations is creating some
undue hardship on our Veterans who are already struggling; and
WHEREAS, it appears to be in the best public interest to authorize the increase in
benefits for Lewis County qualifying Veterans.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that increasing assistance for rent to S1,500,
food to $900 and utilities to S900 for our qualifying veterans through the VRF is
approved from May 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. After December 31, 2020
assistance will revert to the previous amounts approved unless the BOCC approves
another change.
DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 27th day of April, 2020.
APPROVED AS TO FORM: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Jonathan Meyer, Prosecuting Attorney LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Amber Smith Gary Stamper
By: Amber Smith, Gary Stamper, Chair
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
ATTEST: •5�°`"'' kqs•. Edna J . Fund
•;,�, nRD OF 9f••
', •Edna J. Fund, Vice Chair
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Rieva Lester ''`•-4,A,cros�co*+�:i`1^G�' Robert C. Jackson
J >•Rieva Lester, Robert C. Jackson, Commissioner
Clerk of the Lewis County Board of County
Commissioners
360 NW North Street
-: ;;` " Public Health & Social Services Chehalis WA98532
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LEWIS COUNTY
MEMO
April 15, 2020
From: Lewis County Veterans Advisory Board (VAB)
To: Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
RE: Recommendations
The Veterans Advisory Board members have agreed to submit the following
recommendations to be considered by the Board of County Commissioners:
1. To have a temporary increase to eligible benefits during this COVID 19
pandemic.The rental assistance will increase to$1,500. Food and utilities
will increase to $900.This increase would start 1 May 2020 and end 31
December 2020.
Thank you for your consideration.
JP Anderson, Ai.S.W. Director
0 360.740.1223 F 360.740.1438 TDD 360.740.1480
Rachel Wood, M.D., M.P.H. Health Officer
BOCC AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Resolution: 20-142 BOCC Meeting Date: April 27, 2020
Suggested Wording for Agenda Item: Agenda Type: Deliberation
Approve Increase of Veterans Relief Fund Assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic through the
end of 2020
Contact: Sandi Andrus Phone: 3607401148
Department: PHSS - Public Health & Social Services
Description:
Increase assistance to qualifying Veterans for rent, food and utilities through December 2020
Approvals: Publication Requirements:
Publications:
User Status
J.P. Anderson Pending
PA's Office Approved
Additional Copies: Cover Letter To:
Sandi Andrus, Heidi Palmer, Stacey Loflin,
Tawni Shepherd, Suzette Smith, Kaity Nissell,
Grace Jimenez, Steve Walton