Kings County Veterans Services Office

The Kings County Veterans Services Office is the county veterans service office California counties run under Military and Veterans Code section 970; see the California entry. It "aggressively seeks out veterans and their families to provide assistance and service", through outreach, counselling and referral. What it does. Comprehensive benefits counselling; claim development, preparation and submission; case management; appeals "when appropriate"; and networking with federal, State and local agencies. It helps with VA disability, education and training, vocational rehabilitation, health care, burial and death benefits and life insurance, and with California's college fee waiver, CalVet home and farm loans, employment help and business licence exemptions. Who. "A veteran with any discharge except dishonorable", a veteran's dependant, a surviving spouse or child of a deceased or disabled veteran, and a parent of a deceased veteran. Free, and why that matters. The 2025-26 Grand Jury reported that local veterans were being charged illegal fees by unaccredited companies for claims the county files free. In its June 16, 2026 response the Board said the office "provides these services free of charge", that only about 40% of local veterans use any VA benefit, and that the office is expanding outreach. Codi Pennington, a Navy veteran, became Public Guardian and Veterans Service Officer in December 2025, and an assistant officer, Eric Ornelas, was hired in 2026. Where and when. Law Building 4, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230; phone 559-852-2669, fax 559-584-0438. Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to noon; lobby walk-ins Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office keeps the county's Freedom Memorial wall of names, and adds names on request; Kings County Behavioral Health holds a Veterans Support Group at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Hanford.