Jefferson County renames veterans office after staff report of increased benefits and outreach
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Summary
The county renamed its Veterans Affairs office to the Jefferson County Veteran Service Office and heard a report from the office director about outreach, accreditation and a large increase in benefits secured for local veterans.
Jefferson County commissioners voted to rename the county Veterans Affairs office the Jefferson County Veteran Service Office and heard a presentation from the office leadership about services and recent results.
Sergeant Major Jonathan Bridal, introduced as director of the county veteran service office, told commissioners he and staff assist veterans and surviving family members with VA claims and benefits, are accredited with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and strongly encourage appointments for one-on-one assistance. Bridal said the office helps with claims processing, appeals, veterans temporary assistance, transportation coordination for medical appointments and property-tax exemptions for veterans deemed 100% permanently and totally disabled. He said the office also manages burial-benefit processing and distributes roughly 13,000 flags before Memorial Day.
Bridal told the board that when he and staff took the office in October 2023 the county was processing about $365,661.85 per month in VA-related benefit payments to veterans and survivors; he said that figure rose to $686,428 as of last month, an increase he characterized on the record as about $320,000 in monthly benefits flowing into the community. The office noted typical processing times for claims as six to nine months, depending on VA records requests, and emphasized archiving and electronic storage of historical records to speed future requests and support families.
Commissioners praised the office's work and noted neighboring counties had assisted early in the office's reorganization. The board approved the motion to rename the office; commissioners said the new name is intended to reduce public confusion between the county office and the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
Bridal asked for volunteers to help with transportation and other services and asked veterans to bring or provide copies of DD-214 discharge documents to avoid delays in processing death benefits.