Veteran service office reports retro payments of $392,446.74 and steady client demand in August

The Sawyer County veteran service office reported stable client activity in August and sizable retroactive benefit payments for veterans.

Veteran service staff reported 390 phone calls, 678 letters and 219 office visits in August. Staff compared those counts to the prior period, when calls and letters were higher and office visits were lower. The office said it has submitted 116 disability claims year to date through August and reported $392,446.74 in retroactive payments paid to veterans as initial payouts related to claims resolved during the period.

By comparison, staff said 2024 had 153 claims to date and retro payments of $257,469. The office continues to host counseling services provided by the La Crosse Vet Center and reported three group counseling sessions and seven individual counseling sessions supported last month.

Staff described outreach and social media metrics. The office reported 205 followers (up six from the prior month), 160 profile visits (up 146 percent), 75 content interactions (down 26 percent) and 3,244 total views (up 25 percent). Upcoming outreach events listed by the office include the LCO health fair and a Walk for Tomorrow at Hayward High School; staff also noted a veterans appreciation night at the Hayward vs. Spooner football game on Friday, Sept. 12, featuring a veteran performing the national anthem.

The presentation noted ongoing training and that the office is seeing in‑migration of veterans from other states, increasing demand for services. Staff said social media is a useful tool for disseminating information but that older veterans often rely on word of mouth and in‑person events for assistance.