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Veterans service office reports caseloads, benefit increases and outreach events
Summary
Veterans service officer Jay Roberts told commissioners the office has 140 open claims, recent monthly benefit increases and ongoing outreach including a Veterans Appreciation event and transportation for veterans; staff capacity improvements were noted.
Jay Roberts, veterans service officer, briefed the Codington County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 about caseloads, claims processing and community outreach. Roberts said the office currently has about 140 open claims with 58 pending actions at the VA and 338 claims completed for the year.
Roberts reported a month‑to‑month increase of roughly $7,117 in benefits and retroactive payments of about $20,501 for the last month, with year‑to‑date totals discussed in the meeting; transcript figures were clarified in the article to avoid transcription errors. He also said staffer Eric was recently approved to submit claims to the VA, though he does not yet have full VA claim‑viewing access.
The office reported four veteran transports to VA appointments last month and two scheduled for the current month; five volunteer drivers remain active. Roberts highlighted a Veterans Appreciation event at Joy Ranch with increased attendance and promoted an upcoming reservation‑only veterans raw building class at Pelican Lake with limited slots.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about program eligibility and transportation; Roberts explained VA enrollment and local transportation practices. The board thanked search‑and‑rescue personnel for a recent vehicle‑in‑water rescue highlighted in the emergency management report.
