VA hosts initiative that assists in securing financial futures for Veterans, service members and their families

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will host the Economic Investment (EI) Initiative: Puget Sound 2019, Aug. 6 – 8 at the South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington, to help those who serve or have served in uniform find continued success in civilian life.

The EI Initiative is a free, three-day event that will connect Veterans, transitioning service members and their families with health care, education, employment and benefits resources.

“As we continue to focus on how we can improve the lives of Veterans, service members and their families, VA remains committed to successful transitions and the total welfare of the military and Veteran community,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA is excited to bring this Economic Investment Initiative to the Puget Sound region.”

Event activities are free and include:

• Town hall (Aug. 6): Raising awareness of key initiatives and addressing important concerns by facilitating conversations between leaders and the Veteran community.
• Claims/enrollment clinic (Aug. 6-7): Assisting transitioning service members and Veterans to file claims for service-connected conditions.
• Benefits fair (Aug. 6-7): Helping Veterans find resources and register for the benefits and health care they have earned (VA representatives will be on hand at the August 8 Job Fair for VA benefits and services assistance).
• Health services (Aug. 6-7): Providing onsite health evaluation, care and counseling.
• Workshops and presentations (Aug. 6-7): Covering topics such as education, housing, VA benefits and services, employment and health care.
• Job fair (Aug. 8): Connecting Veterans with 35+ employers, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration and companies from the Pacific Northwest.

EI Initiative: Puget Sound 2019 is part of a larger VA Office of Transition and Economic Development (TED) initiative that focuses on select geographic regions containing large Veteran populations. At the last EI Initiative in Puerto Rico, TED successfully served more than 900 Veterans at a benefits and claims clinic; awarded $262,000 in retroactive benefits; connected attendees with 200 jobs; and repaired five Veterans’ homes damaged by Hurricane Maria.

Economic well-being for the Veteran community requires working side-by-side with partners across the government and private and non-profit sectors to create a local and national ecosystem that improves opportunities and fiscal sustainability for Veterans.

To learn more and register, visit https://eiinitiativepugetsound.eventbrite.com/.