Jay Roberts, Veterans Service Officer for Codington County, reported to the board on Jan. 6 that the office currently has 134 open claims, with 59 pending action from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and completed 358 claims in the past year. He said the office saw a December monthly benefit increase of $10,962 and an annual increase of $24,919.

Roberts told commissioners that guidance from the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs now requires county VSOs to host at least one outreach event each quarter as a condition of receiving the state stipend that supports the VSO salary. That requirement, he said, is a change from prior practice and lacks a detailed rubric; the county will comply and monitor the reporting requirements.

Roberts outlined outreach plans including radio interviews, targeted events at nursing homes, and a planned “Watts Brewing” outreach event at the Watertown Readiness Center on March 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., where state and regional veterans-affairs representatives will brief attendees on burial benefits, the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, State Veterans Home eligibility and VA health-care enrollment and caregiver support.

He also said an employee (Eric) has completed necessary credentials (PIV card) to submit and follow claims through the VA system, which the office expects will improve processing. Roberts urged the board to continue supporting a mix of outreach strategies to reach veterans who do not attend in-person events.