Veterans affairs reports spike in claim decisions and seeks volunteer drivers for transport pilot

Ruth, veteran affairs staff, told the Jackson County Board of Supervisors that her office handled an above-average number of VA claim decisions and is recruiting volunteer drivers for a transportation pilot.

The update matters because county veterans’ services affect access to federal benefits and local assistance for veterans and their families.

Ruth said the office recorded 33 in-person visits and 77 phone calls in June. She reported filing two intent-to-file forms, six disability claims, two higher-level reviews and one burial-benefits form. “26 decisions were made in June,” she said, noting that number was higher than typical for the office.

Ruth also said the office has 73 open claims and that staff filed 79% of them. She reported benefits paid to 416 veterans or eligible family members totaled $801,586 for May in Jackson County, a county-level figure she read aloud.

On outreach, Ruth said she has posted a volunteer-driver application on the county website and on the office Facebook page and that five people have expressed interest so far. She said completed applications will be sent to Iowa City as part of the pilot program process.

Ruth and staff also attended a regional Veterans Experience Action Center at Blackhawk College; she said compensation and pension examiners and other VA staff were present and some claim decisions were made on the spot. The office completed national training through NACBSO for continuing-education credits and is working through an additional four credits from the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, which uses a different fiscal calendar.

Ruth encouraged veterans to consider filing claims even later in life. “It’s never too late to come in,” she said.

Supervisors did not take any board action on the report; Ruth said staff would continue recruiting volunteer drivers and coordinating regional outreach opportunities.