Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Veterans service group urges expanded hours, staffing and online tools; commissioners agree to meet privately to consider changes
Summary
Local veterans advocates presented data on growing veteran claims and requested expanded hours, an administrative assistant and a larger office for the DuBois County Veterans Service Office. Commissioners agreed the topic merits further work and will meet privately with the veteran service officer to draft precise staffing/hours proposals.
Advocates and county veterans service staff told the DuBois County commissioners that demand for benefits assistance is rising and asked the county to expand office hours, add administrative support and improve the office's web-based self-help materials.
Jennifer Lampard, who described herself as chief probation officer and the current treasurer for the local Advocacy for Recovery and Prevention Council, and April Jones (coordinator) summarized last year's community engagement work and grant activity for the county's recovery council before turning to veterans matters. The county veterans service officer presented written comments describing caseload growth and operational limits: he said the office currently handles roughly six scheduled appointments per week with backlogs of appointment requests extending months out and many daily walk-ins and calls.
National and state data presented during the discussion showed a rise in claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs, driven in part by expanded presumptive disability rules tied to toxic and burn-pit exposures. One presenter said the national claims backlog rose from about 327,000 in early 2018 to roughly 595,000 by January 2025, and that the VA recently added new presumptive disabilities, increasing expected local claim volume.
The veterans service office asked for a combination of steps: a self-help web page with printable forms and clear document lists, expanded office hours (examples discussed included later evening hours or additional days), and an assistant to prepare claim packets and reduce case lead time. The presenters argued that investment in local service capacity can keep veterans from using private, non-accredited representatives who charge significant fees.
Commissioner response and next steps: Commissioners said they were receptive and asked the veterans service officer to meet privately with staff and a commissioner to draft specific hour and staffing proposals the board can consider at a future meeting. No formal staffing decision or appropriation was made at the session; the county indicated the County Council and budget process would need to be involved if additional hours or a new position were required.
Ending: Officials will work to produce a concrete staffing/hours proposal for formal consideration and to assess budget impacts; the veteran service officer will coordinate with county staff for next steps.
