QUESTION: I am a caregiver for my parents and have been reviewing their financial situation. I have several questions about Veteran’s Benefits that my dad may be entitled to. Do you know who I can contact?
ANSWER: You should contact Ventura County Veterans Services. This agency has a staff of professional veterans claim officers who can provide information, referrals, claims preparation and submission, and follow-up service to ensure veterans, their dependents, and survivors receive the benefits to which they are entitled.
The main office is located at 5740 Ralston Street, Suite 304 in Ventura (93003) or call (805) 477-5155 with questions or to make an appointment to see a claims officer.
The Agency also has field offices in Camarillo, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Oxnard, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.
In Camarillo the claims officer is at the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation (GOVF) at 4001 Mission Oaks Boulevard on Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Moorpark has a claims officer available on Fridays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Moorpark Community Service Center – (Ruben Castro Human Services Center) 612 B (Bldg. B) Spring Road, Suite 301.
Santa Paula has a claims officer available at two locations: On the first Tuesday of the month from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Santa Clara Valley Community Service Center, 725 East Main Street and at the Santa Paula Senior Center, 530 West Main Street on the first Thursday from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
In Oxnard the claims officer is available on Mondays from 8:00 am to 12 noon at the Oxnard Community Service Center, 1400 Vanguard Drive.
Simi Valley has two locations. On the first Wednesday of the month the claims officer is at the Simi Valley Senior Center at 3900 Avenida Simi from 9:00 am to 12 noon by appointment only. For the remaining Wednesdays of the month the claims officer is at America’s Job Center – East County, 2900 N. Madera Road, Suite 100 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Thousand Oaks also has two locations, on the second Tuesday of the month from 1:00 to 4:00 pm the claims officer is at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 East Janss Road and on Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12 noon at Supervisor Linda Parks’ office located at 625 W. Hillcrest Drive.
All services are provided through the County of Ventura and free of charge. All locations provide walk-in services – no appointment required except for Simi Valley Senior Center that requires an appointment.
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HAPPENINGS:
FRIDAY – July 26 – Doors Open at 4:00 pm – FRIDAY NIGHT BINGO – sponsored by Goebel Center Commission – at the Goebel Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. Bingo starts at 6:30 – sales stop promptly at 6:00. Food will be available for purchase.
WEDNESDAY – July 31 – 3:30 pm – Summer Ice Cream Shindig – at Goebel Adult Community Center. Join in this intergenerational fun with ice cream sundaes and arts & crafts – bring your kids, grandkids and friends. Tickets are $5 and on sale at Goebel’s front desk.
THURSDAY – August 1 – 9:00 am to 1:30 pm – Class – AARP Refresher (1-day) Smart Driver Course at the Goebel Center. The cost is $15 for AARP members; $20 for non-members. To save your seat call Goebel’s front desk at (805) 381-2744.
SATURDAY – August 3 – Ballroom Dance – doors open at 6:00 pm – at Goebel Adult Community Center – dance lesson – (the Tango) from 6:30 to 7:20; dance begins at 7:30 –live music by Wyatt Haupt Band. Tickets are $10.
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Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362, or call (805) 495-6250 or e-mail bberry@seniorconcerns.org (please include your telephone number. You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.
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