Veterans Service

Veterans Assistance Program

The Douglas County Veterans Assistance Program (VAP) is operated by the Veterans Service Officer and administered by the County Administrator. VAP resources are provided to ensure that men and women of Douglas County, who have honorably served our country, are provided assistance. Whether a personal hardship, lack of medical care coverage or assistance with exploring federal VA benefits and programs, we are here for matters that affect you and your family.

The Veterans Relief Fund provides limited emergency financial assistance to veterans and their families in accordance with eligibility requirements. The Douglas County Veterans Service Office is mandated by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 73.08, and funded by Douglas County taxpayers.

Additionally, the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) serves our veterans and their family members by connecting them to the benefits and services they earned. This includes access to relief funds and free access to an Accredited Service Officer to help them apply for:

  • Advocacy
  • Case management
  • Claims / Benefits / Appeals / Upgrades
  • Emergency vouchers
  • Pension funds (as eligible)
  • Veteran's Affairs benefits
  • Veteran's Affairs healthcare

Local Access

The VSO is mobile. Sarah is available to travel to Bridgeport, Waterville, and other locations within Douglas County by appointment at the request of a Veteran or family member seeking assistance accessing federal VA benefits or in need of assistance through Douglas County Relief Funds.

Current Veteran Service Officer Bio

Douglas County's current VSO, Sarah Simonson, served in the Air Force from January 1999 to December 2004. She moved to the Wenatchee Valley in 2009. Sarah became active in the Veterans Community in 2015 as a member of: Wenatchee Valley Women Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3617.

She is also a former member of the Douglas County Veterans Advisory Board. Through these memberships, she has developed a passion for helping fellow Veterans apply for and understand their earned benefits.