Haywood County Veterans Services

What the office does, in the county's words: "The Haywood County Veterans Officer assists veterans and their dependents in applying for VA benefits such as: Burial benefits; Discharge upgrades; Educational and scholarship benefits; Hospitalization and medical care; Service-connected compensation; Total disability pension; VA low interest home and business loans." Who and where. CPT Stephen Allred, Director of Veterans Services; Debbie Caldwell, Veterans Officer ([email protected]). 63 Elmwood Way, Suite B, Waynesville, NC 28786; phone 828-452-6634, fax 828-356-2608. What it does in a year. The director's report to the Board of Commissioners on November 3, 2025: about 5,039 county residents, 8.1 percent of the population, are veterans; the office completes and submits an average of 85 VA claims a month; and "In 2024, Haywood County Veterans Services helped to put $44,907,783 directly into the pockets of Haywood County veterans and dependents" - $41,436,109 of compensation and pension, $120,366 of insurance and $3,351,308 of dependency and indemnity compensation and survivors pension. He urged veterans to enroll for care at the Charles George VA Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 828-298-7911. The Board's March 2026 budget presentations recorded 985 residents served, nearly 1,000 cases, with two staff. The Board's year. On November 3, 2025 the Board adopted the Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans 2025, 5 to 0. On March 2, 2026 it accepted $20,000 from the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs grant program for county veterans offices, "for community outreach and supplies to serve veterans."