The legislation will assist millions of veterans suffering from service-connected medical conditions in accessing the federal benefits they are owed. However, passage of this critical legislation underscores the need for Congress to swiftly approve federal resources for County Veteran Services Officers through the bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act.

“The PACT Act will help veterans access a range of service-connected federal benefits, a process facilitated by County Veterans Service Officers in 29 states,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “These officers are supported almost entirely by counties and local taxpayers, creating challenges for areas with high demand and counties serving veterans in rural areas. The CVSO Act would enable counties to serve more veterans, especially in underserved and under-resourced rural areas, and improve outcomes.”

The CVSO Act authorizes $50 million annually for five years for competitive grants to states to expand the work of CVSOs or comparable entities. Without additional federal resources, it will be difficult for county governments to meet growing caseloads as millions of veterans begin filing claims based on the PACT Act’s many new presumptive conditions.

“We urge Congress to immediately pass the CVSO Act to ensure effective implementation of the PACT Act at the local level,” said Chase.

View NACo’s veterans affairs resources here.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government. www.naco.org