Hundreds of Veterans Get Face-to-Face Help at Veterans Benefits Live Event

Community members attend the Veterans Benefits Live event at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church from Aug. 22 - 24, 2024.

More than 1,100 veterans and their families were served at a three-day open house held in Mecklenburg County in late August, approximately $1 million in benefits likely to pay out as a result.

Mecklenburg County Veterans Services, U.S. Veterans Affairs, and other partners hosted Veterans Benefits Live: VA in My Town: Mecklenburg County. The event held Aug. 22-24 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church gave vets from across the region a unique in-person opportunity to ask questions and get answers about their benefits and claims, plus learn about other valuable services.

Attending veterans represented at least seven states, including most of the southeast. The VA paid out $606,739 in retroactive benefits during the three days after claims were processed on site, with a total of about $1 million likely after reviews during the next few weeks.

In addition to processing claims, staff from Veterans Services assisted vets on a wide variety of other issues. At least 315 claims were filed related to the PACT Act, which expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. Staff conducted 97 toxic exposure screenings on-site. Other issues where veterans reached out for help include insurance benefits, military sexual trauma and homelessness. Twenty-one veterans at the event identified as homeless.

Also, more than 115 veterans were referred to NCServes, a statewide network that offers coordinated care and resources to North Carolina’s military community.

North Carolina was the first state to begin hosting events of this type, in partnership with the VA and the American Legion. In past years, veterans have traveled from across the state and the country to attend and receive services. Mecklenburg County is home to more than 50,000 veterans. There are 140,000 veterans in the Charlotte metropolitan area, the largest concentration in North Carolina. In fiscal year 2023, Veterans Affairs spent nearly $700 million to benefit Mecklenburg County veterans, including $413 million in direct payments to veterans.  

Partners for Veterans Benefits Live: VA In My Town: Mecklenburg County include: 

Mecklenburg County Community Support Services’ Veterans Services Division is dedicated to serving veterans and their families. The office is accredited through the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs, and the American Legion. Veterans in need of service can call 704-336-2102. For more information, visit Veterans.MeckNC.gov.