Sawyer County veterans service office reports nearly $500,000 in retroactive payments

At the Sawyer County Administrative Committee meeting, Veterans Service Officer Nicole reported that, year to date, her office submitted 107 claims and secured $499,892 in retroactive payments for veterans. “More work for us, but more money for our veterans,” she said, adding the payments are tax-free and go directly to veterans.

Nicole outlined outreach and support activity: the office held a large “coffee and conversation” event with a Moments Hospice representative discussing veteran services and a bank representative addressing financial scams. She described recent training related to the Veterans Health Administration’s rollout of a federal electronic health record that will allow VA records to be more easily viewed alongside private health records.

She also described coordination with tribal veteran-service leadership and HUD-VASH VA representatives to discuss homeless-veteran resources. Committee members sought clarification that the retroactive payments are received by veterans directly and are not retained by the office; Nicole and another member confirmed the payments are tax-free and go to the veterans themselves.

The committee did not take formal action on veterans’ programs at the meeting. Members thanked the veterans service staff for the outreach and increased claims activity; the office said it will continue education and partnership work, including support for neighboring counties and assistance when staff shortages occur.