Human Services

Director: Keith Higman

Schedule a phone
or virtual meeting

Veteran Services

The Veterans Assistance Program is operated by Skagit County Public Health, in partnership with Community Action’s Skagit Vets Connect Program. Veterans Assistance is provided to make sure that the residents of Skagit County, who have honorably served our country, are never forgotten.

Upon determining eligibility, the following services may be available to you and/or your family:

Veterans Document Support

Military medical record review
Military personnel record review
Disability Benefits Administration aware letter review
Verification of service statements
Enrollment in VA healthcare and eBenefits

Disability Compensation and Pension Claims

Support as veterans advocate and liaison
Assist with VA benefits claims process
Help determine best options for a claim
Assist with claim tracking progress
Review additional VA request for action
Explain VA decision letters
Provide guidance on submitting decision reviews and appeals

Elderly & Disabled Veteran & Widow Programs

Veteran continuous relief
Provides assistance for aid and attendance benefits
Provides assistance for housebound benefits
Assist surviving spouse with burial, disability indemnity compensation and widow pension

Emergency Assistance
The Veterans Assistance Fund (VAF) provides limited emergency financial assistance to veterans and their dependents in accordance with basic eligibility requirements.

Food, gas, clothing
Utilities with disconnect notice
Mortgage, rental, security deposit
Transportation assistance

Other VAF services

Discharge documents/DD-214
Transitional Housing Master Lease
Dental Van
Case management
Budgeting
Referrals and other assistance as appropriate

How to get more information about available services?

Contact our Veterans Assistance Specialist to discuss your individual needs. They can be reached in the following ways:

Schedule a phone or virtual meeting
By phone: (360) 588-5156 or (360) 391-1512
By email: cdiaz@co.Skagit.wa.us
Drop in location/hours:
- Community Action (160 Cascade Pl Ste 104, Burlington, WA 98233)
  - Mondays from 1pm-3pm (except holidays) and Tuesdays 9am-11am

East County Community Resource Center (45770 Main Street, Concrete, WA 98237)
- 1st Friday of each month from 10am-3pm
Anacortes Senior Center (1701 22nd St, Anacortes, WA 98221)
- Last Friday of each month from 9am-3:30pm
Mount Vernon VA Clinic (307 South 13th Street, Suite 200, Mount Vernon, WA 98274)
- Monday from 8am-noon

About Chris Diaz, Veterans Service Specialist/VSO

I’m accredited Veteran Service Officer with the Department of Veteran Affairs and assist veterans with claims. I can also assist veterans and their family members with answering questions, advising, and educating individuals and groups on what benefits are available from local resources, state resources and federal resources. Some of the those are life insurance, compensation and pension, health care, employment, housing, transportation, education and training, and Military records.

Skagit County Veterans Advisory Board

The Veterans Advisory Board advises the County’s legislative authority on the needs of local veterans, the resources available to local veterans, and programs that could benefit the needs of local veterans and their families.

The Advisory Board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 1800 Continental Pl, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, in the Skagit Room. Meetings are from 1pm to 2:30pm. At this time, meetings are also offered by ZOOM for those who prefer a remote option.

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 860 3435 5681
Passcode: 921517
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