VA schedules Jan. 23 town hall in Millsboro to raise awareness of its services

MILLSBORO – The Wilmington VA (Veteran Affairs) hopes to get as many of Sussex County’s  veterans as possible out to a town hall and claims clinic later this month, in part so they can update their VA system log-in that expires at month’s end.

“I hope we have more events like this in the future,” said Julius Mickens, a veteran who attended one of last year’s town halls. “I came seeking more information about the PACT Act and if I was eligible.”

The PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) Act of 2022 authorized Congress to use nearly $1 trillion to expand benefits, specifically for veterans previously exposed to toxic substances during service.

About the town halls

Wilmington VA Medical Center Valerie Harwood said the VA has had anywhere from 50 to 100 veterans turn out for each of the town halls it conducts each year. The agency is already serving 43,000 veterans in Delaware and southern Jersey, but it’s using these town halls to bring in more veterans who may not be aware of all its services, she said.

The VA conducts three town halls each year – one in each county. The first one will be Sussex County on Thursday, Jan. 23, at American Post 28 at Oak Orchard 31768 Legion Road in Millsboro from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m.

The 2025 town halls for Kent and New Castle counties have not yet been scheduled.

The Wilmington VA is particularly interested in getting female veterans to the town halls. Harwood pointed out that just 12% of the veterans served by the Wilmington VA are female.

“Female veterans, they’re growing rapidly, and we want to grab any veteran in a rural area to come out and enroll in VA healthcare, even if they have other insurances,” she said. “They’re not taking away from another veteran because when they enroll in VA healthcare, it’s an option for them. They’re bringing more federal money to our VA clinic, and then that, in turn, helps us provide more services.”

There will be a crafts event for families as well to encourage families to create a “patriotic frame” while the veteran in their family learns how to process a claim, enroll in VA healthcare, or see the VA’s resources, Harwood said.

VA reps will also assist veterans in person with switching to its new login system, which will be implemented at the end of the month. Learn more here.

After Jan. 31, the MyHealtheVet and DS Logon won’t be available, and veterans must use a Login.gov and ID.me account.

VA leadership will be at the town hall to answer questions and provide updates on benefits and more. There will also be information clinic enrollment, patient advocacy, PACT Act, women’s health, homeless programs, and behavioral health resources.

For more information on the Wilmington VA and the Jan. 23 town hall, click here.