A provincial service officer from the Royal Canadian Legion will be in Elliot Lake next week to meet with Canadian Forces Veterans, their spouses/widows(ers), still serving members of the military and still serving RCMP and retired RCMP officers.
Sherry Culling, based with the North Bay Service Bureau of the RCL, is the latest in a succession of provincial service officers who've visited and met with existing and new clients at the Elliot Lake Legion, Br. 561, over the years.
Culling has been making the trek to Elliot Lake for her twice-yearly visits since 2010.
She said, "I meet with clients to assist them in applying for disability benefits through Veterans Affairs Canada," Culling said. "If they receive an unfavourable decision, I co-represent with the Bureau of Pensions Advocates at their Entitlement/Assessment Review Hearing."
"I review their VAC file (if they already have one) to ascertain whether not they should be requesting a Pension Medical Examination for an already claimed condition for an assessment update," Culling added.
She said if the client is looking for financial assistance, she can help through the Legion Poppy Fund or other benevolent funds.
If veterans are homeless they and their families can get help with first and last month's rent, and home furnishings through the "Leave the Streets Behind" program.
The service is free as Service Bureaus are funded by donations to Poppy Funds. There is at least one service bureau located in each Canadian province or territory.
Here in Ontario, there are four – located in Ottawa, Aurora, London, and North Bay.
The North Bay catchment area is west to White River, north to Hornepayne, south to Orangeville and west to Mattawa.
Part of her duties also includes setting up meetings with still serving members at Canadian Forces Base Borden (near Barrie), twice a month.
Howard Tait is the designated Veterans Service Officer at Elliot Lake Royal Canadian Legion Branch 561. He can be reached by telephone at 705-461-9980.
Cullings' schedule in Elliot Lake next week should be available by Wednesday.