Benefits Received By Veterans Will Now Be Extended To Their Surviving Spouses

Kingston, NY- Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack, in conjunction with the Ulster County Veteran Services Agency, announce the extension of the Ulster County “Return the F.A.V.O.R.” (Find & Assist Veterans of Record) Discount Program to the surviving spouses of Veterans.  The F.A.V.O.R. program currently gives honorably discharged Veterans the opportunity to apply for a County-issued I.D. card which allows them to obtain various discounts on goods and services at local participating businesses.  Beginning February 1, 2015, the surviving spouses of Veterans can now bring the deceased Veteran’s death certificate to the Ulster County Clerk’s Office where they will verify that a card had been previously issued to the deceased Veteran and they will issue a new card to the surviving spouse.  If the deceased Veteran was not already participating in the program, the surviving spouse can qualify for the program by producing the Veteran’s death certificate together with the Veteran’s DD-214 discharge papers to the Ulster County Veteran Services Agency located at 5 Development Court, Kingston, NY.

“We are proud to have a duty and an obligation to honor our Veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms and we owe them a debt that we can never repay,” said County Executive Hein.   “The F.A.V.O.R. Program is just one way to express our gratitude to them and their spouses for their service to our Country.   I am pleased to announce that we are now extending the discounts offered by the F.A.V.O.R. Program to the surviving spouses of the brave Veterans who are no longer with us.  This is the least we can do for Ulster County’s Veterans and their families who have sacrificed greatly to protect our freedoms.”  

We all know that members of the military are often expected to answer the call of duty first,” said Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack.  “We must also remember the loved ones who are left behind to endure their own personal sacrifices as a result of this service.  Extending the Return the F.A.V.O.R. Program allows us to give something back to those who have given so much of themselves.”

"This is just one more way we can thank our service men and women in Ulster County,” said Steven J. Massee, Director of Ulster County Veteran Services Agency.  “The County Executive and County Clerk realize that military service often has significant impact on spouses, and by extending this program to the widows of Veterans, it is a great way to continue to honor both the Veteran's service and the sacrifice made by families.”

“I appreciate County Executive Hein taking the time to meet with me about the ‘Return the F.A.V.O.R’ Discount Program,” said Florence Jones of Kingston, the surviving spouse of a 20 year Veteran.  “I wanted to be able to receive the discounts offered to Veterans and I am very pleased that Ulster County is extending this program to the spouses of deceased Veterans.”

To apply for the program:

• Veterans need to present their DD-214 discharge papers to the Ulster County Veteran Services Agency located at 5 Development Court, Kingston, NY;
• Surviving spouses of Veterans who had previously participated in the program will need to present the Veteran’s death certificate to the Ulster County Clerk’s Office to be issued a new card at 244 Fair Street, Kingston, NY; and
• Surviving spouses of Veterans who were not previously enrolled in the program can present the Veteran’s DD-214 discharge papers and the death certificate to the Ulster County Veteran Services Agency, 5 Development Court, Kingston, NY or the Ulster County Clerk’s Office, 244 Fair Street, Kingston, NY.

For more information about the Return the F.A.V.O.R. Discount Program please contact the Ulster County Clerk’s Office 340-3040 or a list of participating businesses can be found at www.ulstercountyny.gov/programs-initiatives/return-favor-program.