LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Some veterans services deemed “critical” by federal officials are still unavailable to millions of former service members amid the government shutdown.
There are more than 205,000 veterans in Nevada, according to 2022 U.S. Census data.
The Department of Veterans Affairs lists on social media site “X” the many services that are available, such as medical care; the post displays a list of other services that are impacted or unavailable.
A critical service that remains shuttered: Benefits Offices across the country, including the main Nevada office in Reno and another smaller office in Las Vegas.
According to representatives of Disabled American Veterans in Las Vegas, veterans cannot file new disability claims. With no decisions made on disability claims, veterans cannot obtain necessary healthcare for a disability, according to Fred Wagar, the federal and state legislative chair for DAV. Wagar previously served as the deputy director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services.
“Their claims have been stalled,” said Jeff Carson, the State of Nevada Commander for the DAV. “A lot of the personnel out there have been furloughed, and they don’t have access to getting the benefits and services that they need,” Carson said.
Benefits Offices also process education benefits, life insurance, pensions, and home loans, the website states.
Many veterans rely on SNAP benefits. According to the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs, 1.2 million veterans and 22,000 active-duty families rely on SNAP benefits.
“There’s no reason for anybody in the Las Vegas area to go without food,” Carson said. “If people would just spend an extra dollar or two buying a canned good or some cereal or some food, and put it in the box in the grocery store to help resupply the food pantries in the area, that would be an immense help to boost the food situation in the community,” he said.
Volunteers with Disabled American Veterans will be outside Golden Corral across the Valley on Veteran’s Day. Every servicemember or veteran can get a free meal that day, according to the chain’s website.
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