Spokane County Regional Veteran Services Center and Veterans' Assistance Fund

The Spokane County Regional Veteran Services Center is the county's programme under chapter 73.08 RCW, which every Washington county must run (see the Washington entry on county veterans' assistance funds). Since January 2017 it has worked in partnership with the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, so the same office files VA claims, runs employment and transition help and reentry services. What the fund pays. Under the Board's Policies and Procedures Manual, vouchers to a vendor or direct services for food, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, emergency medical and dental costs, burial or cremation, and other needs such as transport, car repair to keep a job or reach medical care, clothing, education costs, certain legal fees and appliances. It is emergency or crisis relief "on a case by case basis", not continuing support. The Advisory Board's chair reviews any request over $750, and the Advisory Board reviews repeated requests. Who, under the Manual (Resolution 17-0941 of November 7, 2017, amended by Resolution 23-0050 of January 2023): 180 days of active duty, or fewer with an honorable medical discharge for a condition that did not exist before service; "Only veterans with an Honorable Discharge are eligible", with a general discharge accepted "on a case by case basis"; six continuous months' residence in Spokane County, with exceptions for a recent move for work, school or family; and indigence or a crisis need, judged from household income and expenses. Family members of a living or deceased veteran also qualify. Where the county's rules are narrower than the State's. RCW 73.08.005 defines veteran by a "qualifying discharge" under RCW 73.04.005, which since chapter 146, Laws of 2024 is honorable, general under honorable conditions, other than honorable where VA documents eligibility for monetary benefits, or any discharge given solely for sexual orientation or gender identity. A general discharge qualifies by right, not by exception. The definition also reaches Guard and reserve members activated by presidential call-up or who completed their initial obligation, and 20-year reservists, and a veteran with a VA service-connected rating whatever the days served. The Manual predates the 2024 act, and nothing in it or on the county's pages mentions it. The county's pages disagree with each other. The eligibility page says "state law requires" proof of an honorable discharge, cites a non-existent "RCW 41.047", and asks for twelve months' Washington residence; the Manual asks for six months in the county; the brochure applies the twelve-month State rule only to "state programs". Chapter 73.08 RCW sets no residence period at all. The "Am I eligible?" page, written to the 2016 law, accepts honorable and general discharges and turns away everyone else. Bring what you have and ask for a written decision. Appeals. A refusal, or the amount offered, can be appealed by letter to the Advisory Board chair within 7 calendar days of the decision; an appeals board of the chair and at least three voting members meets within 10 working days and answers within 5 working days of deciding. Where. 1117 N. Evergreen Road, Suite 2, Spokane Valley 99216; weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 509-477-3690, or the online contact form when the phones are busy. Bring a DD-214, ID, proof of residence and income, and for family a marriage licence and children's birth certificates. The center also hires student veterans under VA work-study.