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Veterans Service Office: $19.9 million in VA compensation returned to Williams County in 2023; clinic move set for Jan. 1, 2025
Summary
The county Veteran Service Office reported it served 2,572 VA‑registered veterans in 2023 and helped secure about $19.9 million in federal compensation and pension payments for residents. The VSO detailed housing supports, HUD‑VASH voucher counts and announced the local VA clinic will relocate Jan. 1, 2025.
Grant Carnes, Williams County Veteran Service Officer, briefed commissioners Dec. 17 on the office’s fiscal‑year 2023 activity and community assistance.
"Residing in Williams County and registered with the VA, we had 2,572 veterans in Williams County alone," Carnes said, and he reported the office helped bring approximately $19,900,000 in federal compensation and pension funds back to county residents in 2023. Carnes said the office handled hundreds of in‑person appointments and an average of three walk‑ins per day, and also assisted veterans with immediate needs: hotel nights to prevent homelessness, rent or deposit help, utility assistance and vehicle repairs. He emphasized community partnerships (churches, American Legion, local businesses) supply much of that assistance rather than county funds.
Carnes discussed HUD‑VASH vouchers: the office currently supports 23 vouchers and provides case management for those placements. He highlighted ongoing challenges in access to inpatient mental‑health care, which sometimes requires veterans to travel to facilities in Hot Springs (SD) or St. Cloud (MN). He also noted the PACT Act broadened eligibility for some veterans and encouraged eligible veterans to contact the VSO for assistance filing claims.
Carnes announced the local VA clinic will move to a new location — listed in the transcript as "20 Seventh Street West and Butterfly Avenue" — with the relocation set to occur Jan. 1, 2025. He said the clinic currently serves about 230 patients per month in person, in addition to telehealth services.
Commissioners thanked Carnes for the report and encouraged continued public outreach to connect veterans with newly available benefits under recent federal law.
