Sacramento County’s Veterans Services Office is taking the lead statewide in providing comprehensive services and resources to our military veterans and their families. Within the county’s Department of Human Assistance, the office’s 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 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and other programs for which they may be eligible.

“We act as advocates for veterans in preparing their claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs at the federal and state level and provide case management services, and our services are all free of charge,” says Rochelle Arnold, Sacramento County veterans service officer. Arnold heads a staff of 11, five of whom are veterans. 

Established in 1946 by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, the Veterans Services Office serves Sacramento County’s veterans but won’t turn away veterans from outside the county. Any military veteran — including Reserve and National Guard members — with a character of discharge other than dishonorable is eligible for services, as well as surviving spouses and other eligible dependents. 

Services include VA programs such as Disability Compensation, VA Pension, Survivor Benefits, VA Health Care and Education Benefits; DMV verification and disabled veteran plates; CalVet College Tuition Fee Waiver program; and connecting veterans and dependents to community resources.

“Our services provide veterans and their eligible dependents with access to benefits and resources they have earned through their service,” Arnold says. “In 2023, our claims representatives obtained $4.1 million in recurring monthly VA payments and $5.1 million in retroactive payments to Sacramento County veterans.” This money helps veterans use their technical skills and expertise in our communities and boosts our local economy. 

“Our team is growing and we strive to be the state’s No. 1 county veterans service office by providing the best possible customer service and advocacy for our veterans,” concludes Arnold. 

To learn more about services available to eligible veterans, visit ha.saccounty.gov/benefits/VeteransServices or call (916) 874-6811