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Dunn County veterans officer reports outreach, retroactive-pay baseline and federal benefits work
Summary
Veterans Service Officer Greg Quinn told the Dunn County Health and Human Services Board the office handled care-package outreach, assisted veterans with benefits including PACT Act claims, met with state budget staff, and expects $800,000–$1,000,000 annually in retroactive payment activity.
Dunn County Veterans Service Officer Greg Quinn summarized outreach, benefits work and 2024 financials for the Health and Human Services Board on Jan. 23, saying the office shipped care packages to local troops, helped residents navigate tax-credit rules and benefits, and continues to assist veterans filing retroactive claims tied to the PACT Act.
Quinn said county staff and other donors assembled and mailed care packages to troops from Menomonie and River Falls and that the county’s office uses visuals and handouts to guide veterans to county and state benefit resources. He also said the office provided materials helping veterans understand the Wisconsin property tax credit process, noting that most veterans still pay property taxes but may be eligible for a credit if they qualify as 100% disabled due to military service.
The VSO described a meeting with staff in the governor’s office regarding the upcoming state budget. Quinn said he participated as a representative of the association (as past-president in a related meeting) and that the association is advocating to increase support for offices that employ part-time veteran service officers so they can reach full capacity.
Quinn outlined federal benefits work, including claims filed under the PACT Act, and described two client stories used as impact examples: one veteran whose multiple sclerosis claim was supported by a continuity-of-symptoms narrative and another older veteran whose eligibility shifted from state funding to a VA federal contract, producing some retroactive payments. Quinn said retroactive payment activity is being tracked and that the office is seeing increased volume: after several years of tracking, he estimated a likely baseline of about $800,000 to $1,000,000 per year in retroactive payments credited into individuals’ accounts as those claims are adjudicated.
Quinn also reported local outreach efforts such as staffing an Andersen Windows Manufacturing veterans outreach event during Thanksgiving week; attendees who thought denied claims were final learned appeals were possible. He noted distribution of free gun locks through public health vending kiosks.
No formal board action was taken on the veterans report; the items were provided as information and for board questions.
