County Adds $455,000 for Veterans as Utility and Mortgage Costs Climb

Published on October 06, 2026

Franklin County Board of Commissioners | Veterans Service Commission

Veterans in Franklin County who need help keeping their homes and utilities are needing more of it this year. Through August, the Franklin County Veterans Service Commission's average utility assistance award was $1,025, up from $779 in 2025. The average mortgage assistance award grew from about $3,450 to $3,961. 

To keep pace, the Board of Commissioners on October 6 approved Resolution 0646-26, a transfer of General Fund appropriations to support the commission's immediate financial assistance and medical transportation programs. Matthew H. Zelnik, Assistant Director of Services for the Veterans Service Commission, told the Board the supplemental funding totals $455,000.

"Like the clients we serve, our agency has been impacted by current affordability challenges," Zelnik said. He said utility and mortgage assistance, which help veterans stay housed and keep their utilities on, have put the most pressure on the commission's budget this year. 

Commissioner Erica C. Crawley asked whether rising costs were the only factor, or whether more veterans are also coming in for help. Zelnik said financial assistance requests are running about 1 percent ahead of last year, when the commission handled about 6,000 requests, and that he expects that number to grow through the end of the year. 

Crawley thanked Zelnik for bringing the Board year-over-year numbers. The supplemental funding covers the commission's needs for the rest of 2026. 

The resolution passed unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce. 

The Veterans Service Commission provides financial assistance and medical transportation to Franklin County veterans and their families.