More cash benefits for Nassau veterans

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced Thursday that his Veterans Service Agency has secured a record amount of cash benefits for local veterans, increasing the amount of cash awards to Nassau veterans from $929,921 in 2006 to $5 million in the first half of 2013.

“That’s a pace to secure a record breaking $10 million for local veterans this year,” Mangano said in a statement.

Mangano also reminded veterans that “the first step in filing a benefits claim for an injury or sickness as a result of military service is to enroll at the Veterans Affairs hospital nearest to their home.”

Mangano added praise for his appointee, Veterans Service Agency director Joseph Pascarella. “From the time Joe came on board, he and his staff have cared for our veterans better than has ever been done before,” Mangano said in the statement.

Any veteran who is coping with a military service-related injury or illness, including PTSD and Agent Orange, might be eligible to receive a monthly cash benefit.

Pascarella said in the statement that the agency “is here to assist our veterans in filling out forms every day, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. We have all the information a veteran needs right here, in one place. No veteran will be turned away by us and there won’t be any delays since our staff has the experience and knowledge to serve our veterans.”

For more information, veterans can visit the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency at 2201 Hempstead Tpke., Building “Q,” in East Meadow (along the entrance road of Nassau University Medical Center) or can call 516-572-6565. If transportation is needed, please call 516-572-6526.