Macoupin County Veterans Office Expands, Launches Outreach Effort

Edited By MELISSA LYNN

Enquirer~Democrat Reporter

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Macoupin County has expanded from a one-person office to a three-person team and is launching a countywide outreach effort to help veterans and surviving spouses access benefits.

The commission assists veterans with filing claims for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, including disability compensation, pensions, health care enrollment, education assistance, survivor benefits, and emergency financial aid. Services are free.

Superintendent and Veterans Service Officer Robert “Bobby” Scott said the expansion will allow the office to increase outreach across the county.

“We can’t do that from behind a desk,” Scott said. “We’re taking this on the road.”

The office now includes two VA-accredited Veterans Service Officers, Scott and Neal Cobren, who is a Navy veteran, along with office manager Jordan Cervi, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Officials said having two accredited officers will allow the office to process claims more efficiently and increase assistance to local veterans.

Read the full story in the July 09, 2026 issue of the Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat.