Session Friday offers veterans help with benefits

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Community and Economic Development Association are sponsoring a series of veteran and dependent benefits events.

The first of six "Helping our Hometown Heroes" events will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 21, at the Des Plaines Frisbie Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Highway. A second suburban event is planned for Aug. 6 in Wheeling at AMVETS Post 66, 700 McHenry Road.

The sessions are aimed at providing veterans access to information about benefits and resources to help them find needed services.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority will have information available about affordable homeownership opportunities for veterans.

Under the agency's GI MCC program, veterans and military personnel can apply for a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their annual federal income taxes equal to 20 percent of interest paid on their new home mortgage - up to $2,000 a year. They also may continue to claim the standard federal income tax deduction for a portion of the annual mortgage interest payments.