Kerr County Veterans Service Office Pauses Walk-Ins Oct. 21–31 — Appointments Will Still Be Seen
The two-person office helps 400 to 500 local veterans, caregivers and dependents a year. Walk-ins return in November.
If you're a veteran planning to drop by the Kerr County Veterans Service Office before Halloween, call first.
From Wednesday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Oct. 31, the office will not offer walk-in service. On its county department page, the office cites limited staffing. Anyone who already has an appointment on the books will be seen, unless the VSO contacts them directly to say otherwise. Walk-in service resumes in November.
The office is normally open Monday through Thursday, with appointments given priority even in a regular week. It's closed on Fridays.
Two people, 400 to 500 veterans a year
The VSO runs on two staff members: Veterans Service Officer Sanchez, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, and Assistant VSO Chase Allsup, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Between them, they help 400 to 500 local veterans, caregivers and dependents each year work their way through complicated federal and state benefits programs.
That can mean getting someone enrolled in VA health care. It can also mean connecting a veteran with local help for housing, employment, mental health and a lot more. All of it is free.
According to the county, the office's work covers:
- Disability compensation for service-connected conditions, and the non-service-connected pension
- Survivor and burial benefits for families
- Education benefits, including the VA programs and the Texas Hazlewood Act
- Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and disabled veteran license plates
- Certificates of Eligibility for VA home loans
- Requesting a DD-214 and other military records
- Paperwork help: VA forms, supplemental claims, appeals, buddy and nexus letters, and preparing for C&P exams
The office reports to the Kerr County Commissioners' Court and works under Texas Veterans Commission guidelines. It does not decide claims. The VA does that. The VSO's job is to help veterans file them correctly and completely.
You can still get help this month
The pause is on walk-ins only. The phones and inbox are still open, and the best move is to call or email now to get on the appointment calendar.
- Phone: 830-792-2203 (leave a voicemail)
- Email: veterans.service@veterans.kerrcountytx.gov
- Address: Allie Burton Annex, 550 Earl Garrett Street, Suite 107, Kerrville
You can email documents to the office ahead of time. If you bring paperwork in person, bring originals or certified copies, such as your DD-214, service and civilian treatment records, and direct deposit information. The office doesn't make or keep copies. Staff scan your documents and hand them right back.
Already have a claim in the works? You can check its status yourself at va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status. The county notes that claims usually take about six to nine months.
Other resources the VSO points veterans to
- Rides to appointments: Rides 4 TX Heroes, 888-724-8387, or VA Veterans Transportation, 210-427-5074
- Food assistance: Hill Country Veterans Center, 830-315-3100 (veterans only), Christian Assistance Ministry, 830-257-4222, or St. Vincent de Paul, 830-896-6898
- VA health care questions: Texas Veterans Commission health care advocacy, healthcare@tvc.texas.gov
If you're in crisis
Don't wait for an appointment. Veterans in crisis, and the people who love them, can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255, any time of day or night. You can also chat online at veteranscrisisline.net/chat.
