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 Chris Diaz or Michael Till to discuss your individual needs. They can be reached in the following ways:
Chris Diaz, Veterans Assistance Specialist
- 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
- Recovery Café Skagit (1908 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon, WA 98273)
- 2nd Wednesday of each month from 12pm-3pm
- Helping Hands Food Bank (9386 Fruitdale Rd, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284)
- 2nd Friday of each month from 8am-4:30pm
Michael Till, WDVA PACT ACT Veterans Benefits Specialist
- Drop in location/hours:
- Mount Vernon VA Clinic (307 South 13th Street, Suite 200, Mount Vernon, WA 98274)
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 local veterans and their families.
The Advisory Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at Skagit County Public Health (301 Valley Mall Way, Suite 110) in Mount Vernon. At this time, those who prefer a remote option, can join via Zoom (details below).
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86034355681?pwd=RTQ0RXArRVhBeFpmeGR6TXNVSlFQZz09
Meeting ID: 860 3435 5681
Passcode: 921517
Find your local dial in number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kehXjhu9DK
Meeting Minutes:
2023
September 2023 meeting cancelled
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