Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Benefits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plumas veterans services reports rising claims and $2.43M in new awards for FY24‑25, $25.1M recurring county impact
Summary
County veterans services director reported increased claims volume and outcomes: since FY2020 the office secured about $7.6M in new awards for veterans, with FY24‑25 producing $2.43M in new awards and roughly $25.1M in recurring VA payments flowing into the county annually; the office cited a high return on county investment.
Plumas County’s veterans services office told the Board of Supervisors on May 5 that the county’s small two‑person office is producing substantially more financial outcomes for veterans and the local economy.
Director Michael Fortoro said claim volume rose sharply starting in FY 2021–22 and that, since FY 2020, the office has secured approximately $7.6 million in new awards for county veterans. Fortoro said FY 2024–25 alone produced $2.43 million in new awards (retroactive and first‑month payments), and that ongoing recurring VA compensation and other federal payments resulting from the office’s claims work total about $25.1 million flowing into the county each year.
Fortoro framed the work as a high return on investment: Plumas County spends roughly $95,000 annually to operate the veterans services office and the FY24‑25 results equate to roughly $264 in federal benefits for every $1 the county invests. He also noted the office’s outreach: satellite clinics in Portola and Chester, Stand Down events and work with families, survivors and dependent benefits.
Board members congratulated the office and noted the outcome’s local economic benefit. Fortoro said the office focuses on disability compensation claims (including retroactive awards and surviving‑spouse benefits) and follows up with long‑term tracking of successful exits from county programs.
Why it matters: federal disability compensation and related awards are tax‑free and provide recurring income to veterans and their families; the county highlighted both individual well‑being and the aggregate local economic impact of higher federal benefit flows. The presentation supported continued funding for outreach and the veterans office’s staffing plan.
What’s next: the director recommended continued outreach and coordination with state programs (CalVet/CalTAP) and local employers to link veterans to job pipelines. The board noted veterans services’ role in county strategic priorities.
