Staffing change to temporarily slow veteran appointments

POST FALLS — Due to a pending staffing change at Kootenai County's Veterans' Services Office, there will be a few weeks of limited appointments at the department from late June through most of July.

Scott Thorsness, the county's current veteran service officer, has been selected for an Idaho Division of Veterans' Services position.

Nearly 30 candidates have applied for the county job and interview times are being set up. A replacement is expected to be announced in mid-June with an estimated start date of July 8.

"During the transition and the training of the new (county employee), there will be limited appointment availability from the end of June through much of July," Thorsness said.

There will be no appointments from June 27 to July 5.

State Service Officer Darryl Heisey will be able to assist with some of the appointments during the transition, but must still maintain his ability to perform outreach to the five northern counties of our state, Thorsness said.

"The primary subject areas affected will be disability applications, pension applications and death benefits," Thorsness said. "In most cases, these are not time-sensitive, but there will be the few that require timely action."

In the absence of continual support for the limited time, veterans may need to utilize a Veterans Affairs benefits counselor at (800) 827-1000 or visit www.va.gov or www.ebenefits.va.gov.

"It is the mission of the (officers) to provide the veterans in Kootenai County and abroad the best service possible," Thorsness said. "They will make every effort to be fully operational in the least amount of time possible."

For more information, call 208-446-1091 or email sthorsness@kcgov.us.

- Brian Walker