ELKINS, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance on Friday held a ribbon-cutting and open-house event at its newest benefits office, located at 2275 Beverly Pike in Elkins. Gov. Jim Justice joined Cabinet Secretary Ted Diaz and department staff for the event.
During Gov. Justice’s administration, the Department of Veterans Assistance has opened nine new, much-needed offices.
“The state hadn’t done much with veterans offices since 1945,” said Justice. “Moving these offices to locations where we can help more veterans is the least we can do for those who we owe absolutely everything.”
Veteran Service Officers specialize in connecting military veterans with the benefits they earned through their service. Education benefits, disability compensation, medical and burial benefits are among the compensation areas available to veterans.
In 2022, these benefits amounted to more than $2.77 billion. West Virginiaveterans are on track to exceed that amount in 2023.
“This Elkins office gives us a much better location for the veterans who we serve. The office is conveniently located and much easier to find,” said Diaz. “We think it will be better for veterans, a big win.”
The Elkins office serves veterans in Barbour, Randolph, Tucker, and Upshur Counties.