VFW Department ConventionJune 2010

DutiesResponsibilities

Authority

The VFW National Service Officer and his staff in Washington DC work under the immediate supervision of the Assistant Adjutant General, Washington DC Executive Director.

The VFW National Service Program is supervised by the National Service Advisory Committee which performs its duties under the supervision of the National Council of Administration.

A Department Service Officer is an appointee of the State Commander and must work under the National Veterans Service Policy and Procedure Manual as adopted by the National Council of Administration and under the direction of the National Service Officer.

The Department of Illinois Service Officer works under the immediate oversight of the Department Veterans Service Committee which draws its authority from the Department Bylaws and the Department Council of Administration.

A District Service Officer is appointed by the District Commander as a District Officer. His duties are defined by national VFW Manual of Procedure Section 418 (a)(14).

“The District Service Officer shall assist Post Service Officers.”

While the District Service Officer may assist claimants it is his primary duty to assist the Post Service Officers of his District and to foster them in the performance of their duties.

Must be a VFW Post member in good standing

Is an appointed Officer of the Post, appointed by the Post Commander

Unless restricted by Post Bylaws may also serve the Post in other elected or appointed positions

The duties & responsibilities of the Post Service Officer are generally defined in the VFW Manual of ProcedureSection 218 (a) (12)

1.Shall assist members of the Post, their widows and orphans

2.Shall assist other worthy cases brought to their attention

3.Shall perform their duties in accordance with the instructions contained in the VFW Guide for Service Officers

4.Shall perform their duties under the general supervision of the Department Service Officer

The VFW Guide for Post Service Officers further provides that the Post Service Officer:

1.Should have access to the latest copy of the VFWGuide for Post Service Officers

2. Must route claims and supporting evidence and all inquires to the Department Service Officer

3. Should have an adequate supply of current VA Forms (either by hard copy or VA website)

4. Should keep members informed of veteran’s entitlements and benefits offered and administrated by local, state and federal agencies

5. Is not allowed to request or accept remuneration for their services

6. Shall not refuse to assist any claimant unless it is clear that the claim is fraudulent in which case the Department Service Officer will be the final authority as to whether the VFW will provide representation

7. Shall not refuse to assist any claimant because they do not feel the claimant is eligible for the benefit sought

8. Shall forward without delay all applications to the Department Service Officer

9. Shall not keep original documents provided to them but are to transmit such documents to the Department Service Officer (may maintain records of claims prepared and submitted to the DSO only with the permission of the claimant and only under proper Post security, such records to be in the custody of the Post to be passed to the succeeding Post Service Officer and to be returned in full to the claimant upon request)

Note: Public Law 93-579 restricts the release of confidential information to parties other than the claimant. An accredited representative of a Veterans Service Organization may release information necessary for development of a specific claim to a local Post Service Officer, if authorized by the claimant in writing by either letter or properly completed VA Form 21-22.

10. Shall not make direct contact with any office or representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs concerning a pending benefit claim or as a request for personal information regarding a claimant accept in the case of an emergent ill veteran to a VA Medical Center in which case the Department Service Officer will be informed when time permits

11. Must attend all training conducted within the Department in service work by the Department Service Officer, especially the annual Department Post Service Officer School and any service officer training conducted at District meetings or by the District Service Officer

Any VFW member may offer their assistance to a potential claimant. However only an appointed Post Service Officer may present themselves as such to either a claimant or government department or agency.

Any VFW member offering their assistance to a claimant must accept the responsibility to act under the same rules as an appointed Post Service Officer.

Accreditation:

The Department of Veterans Affairs accredits persons to represent claimants in the presentation of claims. Persons affiliated with Veterans Service Organizations must be certified by that VSO for accreditation.

Accreditation:

It is the policy of the VFW that only full time employees of the VFW Service Office endorsed by the State Commander will be certified for accreditation by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The only exception to this policy are employees of local or state entities who provide services to veterans and are certified by the Department Service Officer that they have received proper annual training to maintain accreditation.

What do we expect from a Post Service Officer?

We expect that he has a desire to assist his fellow veterans without prejudice.

We expect that he will establish a working relationship with other key Post and Auxiliary officers.

Post Hospital ChairmanPost ChaplainPost MAP Chairman

We expect that he will establish a working relationship with key community service providers and agencies.

ChurchesSheltersFuneral DirectorsState & County Social WorkersHospital Social Workers

We expect that he will establish a working relationship with key members of the veteran service network in his area.

County Veterans Assistant CommissionIllinois Department of Veterans AffairsOther Veterans Service Organizations

Your Questions!

Thank you for attending!