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Virginia Department of Veterans Services outlines local resources, reports ~45‑day claims backlog
Summary
Regional VDVS representatives described benefit and outreach services available to Manassas area veterans, noted a roughly 45‑day backlog in claims adjudication, and highlighted local office hours, video appointments and supports for homeless veterans.
Will Triplett, regional director for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, and James Custodio, regional coordinator for Virginia Veteran Family Support, briefed the governing body on state veteran services available to residents of Manassas Park.
Triplett said VDVS helps veterans and their families access federal, state and local benefits and emphasized that the service is state‑funded and free to beneficiaries. He described the claims process used by Veteran Service Representatives and a centralized "center of excellence" in Roanoke that reviews claims before submission to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "If you served, you deserve," Triplett said, summarizing the agency’s mission.
When asked about recent Department of Veterans Affairs staffing changes and possible federal cuts, Triplett said the state office has seen a slowdown in processing: "about 45 days" of additional backlog for claims adjudication. He also noted that waits for certain VA health appointments have lengthened, citing examples of some appointments taking about four months to schedule.
Custodio described direct outreach and support services: Spanish‑speaking staff, veteran justice outreach specialists who work with treatment dockets, and veteran peer specialists who connect veterans to mental‑health and substance‑use resources. The presenters said the department also coordinates with VA homeless caseworkers, county housing voucher programs and the Veterans Services Foundation to provide short‑term hotel placements and other immediate assistance while veterans are connected to longer‑term housing and supports.
Triplett noted VDVS operates or supports veteran care centers across Virginia, mentioned a recently opened facility that is in high demand and said the Manassas office remains available to residents (the office is located near the Social Security Administration building). He encouraged residents to use in‑person or video appointments and described itinerant outreach to churches, VFW posts and community events.
The governing body asked several follow‑up questions during the presentation; officials thanked the presenters and made no immediate policy changes based on the briefing.
