A Bridge to Benefits
County of Santa Clara Veterans Service Office cuts through the bureaucracy for those who served
Veteran’s Day is celebrated every year on Nov. 11 to honor those who served and fought for our country. It’s a time for celebrations, parades, memorials, tributes and more.
While the nation celebrates the day, the County of Santa Clara Veterans Service Office (VSO) works year-round in service to veterans, their dependents and their survivors to provide services and help them access federal, state and local benefits.
“We want veterans to know they have a community here in Santa Clara County. We advocate for them, standing by their side every step of the way,” said Veterans Service Office Director Darlyn Escalante. “We’ve helped veterans who were on the brink of losing their homes. One veteran received over $100,000 in retroactive payments, which not only saved his home but ensured he had guaranteed income for the future.”
The claims and application process for veterans seeking benefits can be complex and confusing. Nationally and state accredited veteran service representatives (VSRs) at the VSO help veterans apply to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain compensation benefits – and they assist vets through all steps of the application process.
“Here's our veteran, here's their benefits, and there's this layer of bureaucracy,” said Steve Fondacaro of the County Social Services Agency. “What our VSO does is walk veterans through that red tape and get them their richly deserved benefits.”
In 2023, the VSO served 9,364 clients through various platforms, a 46% increase from the previous year. In 2024, the office is on pace to
exceed this number, with 7,101 clients already served. The VSO employs 11 veteran service representatives, each of whom supports 300 to 500 veterans. Thus far in 2024, more than 1,711 submitted claims have been awarded by the VA, bringing in more than $21 million in federal benefits to veterans living in Santa Clara County.
For the past two years, the department hosted the Santa Clara County Veterans Stand Down at the County Fairgrounds for more than 2,000 veterans. Several organizations from throughout the county and state came together to provide employment, housing, education, medical care, legal aid, social services, dental screenings, mental health resources, haircuts and more. There were also 124 on-site medical
exams that saved years of waiting to be seen by a medical professional.
This year’s Stand Down featured a “Claims Clinic” to help veterans file claims for disability compensation, pensions and dependency and have them confirmed by the Department of Veterans Affairs staff on site. More than 400 veterans had claims processed that have resulted in upwards of $30,000 in direct payments to veterans so far.
“It's been really hard for me because of being in between homes and stuff like that, I didn’t know where to start,” said veteran and Claims Clinic participant Todd Lunn. “Somebody finally told me to go here, and they welcomed me in and did an incredible job of helping me out.”
For Santa Clara County veterans who couldn’t attend the Stand Down, the VSO hosts a Walk-In Tuesday program from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m.) at 68 North Winchester Blvd. in the city of Santa Clara (or via Zoom). Veterans can connect with trained service representatives to get VA benefits, request a file for claims, learn about survivors' benefits, process DMV verifications, and more. If they can’t attend a Tuesday program, they can get information on how to get help from a VSR by calling 408-918-4980 or by going to https://vets.santaclaracounty.gov/meet-veterans-services-representative.
The VSO also is expanding services in 2024 to provide mobile dental services, a taxi program and expanded mental health resources.
"We’re expanding services with plans for new housing options for veterans, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for those in need,” said Otto Lee, District 3 Supervisor and retired 28-year U.S. Navy veteran. "We have a buddy system in the military, and that same concept applies here. We need to look out for each other, seek help, and help others find the resources available."
For more information on resources and services, go to the VSO Website.