The Placer County Health and Human Services (HHS), Veterans Services Office (VSO) recently lost its Veterans Services Officer, a critical staff person, to another career opportunity. As a result of the loss, Placer County reached out to
Sacramento County VSO to provide a Veterans Services Representative who could provide claims assistance and training for their dedicated staff. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has since approved the rendering of payment for services on behalf of Sacramento County.
Since August 2019, the Sacramento County Veterans Services Office has been providing weekly supportive services related to claims processing and training staff. Veteran Claims Representative Restivo has been providing this weekly training and assistance to the Placer County VSO and just since August has helped them serve more than 250 veterans that were in need of appointments to file disability, pension and survivor benefit claims.
In addition to traveling to the Placer County office, Sacramento County has welcomed many Placer County veterans into our local office for assistance with their claims. Sacramento County VSO is also supporting Placer in two monthly service “blitzes” that serve a large population of veterans in just one day. At one event in December, three Sacramento County officers were able to provide assistance to more than 45 clients in just six hours. They will further assist with claims at a second event scheduled for later in December.
In addition to filing claims for veterans, Michael Restivo has also been assisting the Placer County Veteran Services Office with closing out their backlog of more than 1,900 pending claims by printing the Veteran Administration award letters and entering the information in the CALVET system.
Lastly, the Sacramento County Veteran Service Office hosted the Placer County veteran claims representatives at our office and provided training on aid and attendance claims for both pension and disability.
“Assisting the Placer County Veteran Services Office in taking care of veterans is a benefit for us all, especially the veterans we serve,” said Veteran Services Officer Rochelle Arnold. “Our mission is to serve all veterans and their families with respect, dignity and compassion by providing prompt and courteous assistance in preparing, submitting and presenting all claims for benefits to which they may be entitled and serve as their principal advocate on veterans’ issues; no matter where they reside.”
About Sacramento County Veteran Services Office
Established in 1946 by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, Veterans Services is responsible for providing benefit entitlement determinations, claim development, claim filing, advocacy and case management services to the veteran population of Sacramento County. Available benefits are primarily from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but we also assist in obtaining earned veterans' benefits from the State of California and local government entities as well as administering the College Fee Waiver Program for dependents.