Free Benefits Fair for Texas Veterans

LONGVIEW — A free “come and go” benefits fair for Texas veterans will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, 100 Grand Blvd., Longview. The fair, targeting all northeast Texas veterans, is one of several throughout the state. It’s presented by the Texas Veterans Land Board and Texas Veterans Commission.

State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Board. He says officials from the Land Board will be on hand to provide information on state programs including land, housing, and home improvement loans as well as Texas state veterans cemeteries and nursing homes for veterans. Joining the Land Board officials will be representatives from the Texas Veterans Commission, the Small Business Administration, the Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Also on hand: local realtors and lenders specializing in veterans loans who will be available to discuss federal benefits and pending claims.

Patterson says veterans wishing to discuss pending claims with VA officials should bring pertinent case information, including claim numbers if available. Veterans are encouraged to drop in to learn more about their benefits any time between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are not required to stay for the duration of the event. For more information on the benefits fair, you can call Michelle Davis with the Texas Veterans land Board at 214-498-8174 or Tito Garcia at 214-450-3092. For more information on benefits available only to Texas veterans, such as low-interest land and home loans, visit http://www.texasveterans.com or call 1-800-252-VETS (1-800-252-8387).