By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Beth Watson
“I’ve been here for three years. I am two department heads rolled into one, which works really well because networking and resourcing is the bulk of what I try to engage with,” Watson said.
“On the General Assistance side, I think of myself as taking care of the entire county,” she said. “Whether that’s personal cares, food, utilities or rent.”
Watson said the GA department can help county residents who face emergencies that cause a financial hardship. She explained the various resources that can be accessed to help those who are in need. She pointed out that individuals or families can face sudden hardships for all sorts of reasons. She encourages anyone facing that situation to contact her office.
“This is a no-judgement zone,” Watson said. “And if I don’t have options to help someone, I hopefully can put them in touch with someone who does.”
“On the veterans’ side, we’re going to be looking to see if they have their DD214, which is their formal discharge paper from their years of service,” Watson said.
She explained that options available to any particular veteran may vary based on which branch of the service the veteran served in, the years of service, and even details such as which ships a veteran served on.
Watson said dealing with veterans is a particularly rewarding part of her job.
“I get to listen to the most amazing stories and meet these veterans and their families. It’s a really fulfilling moment; it’s one of my favorite things,” she said.
Watson said one scenario she often sees is when a veteran who never registered with the VA will pass away and the spouse will come in to enquire about available assistance. She specifically encourages end-of-life planning for veterans.
“It is a pleasure to work with those spouses and help them see what options there are,” Watson said.
Watson understands that some residents may not have a computer or internet access or simply may need help knowing how to apply for benefits. She encourages anyone to call or stop in to discuss their situation.
“Anyone in need of general assistance, if I need to walk them through applying for food stamps, I will do that. If I need to walk them through applying for full or Social Security disability, I will do that,” she said. “Or I will get them to somebody that can. I know the libraries are excellent at helping, too.”