WQIO Ohio's Super Station
The Knox County Veterans Services Office is seeing a steady increase in veterans seeking assistance, with nearly four scheduled appointments per day for VA benefit filings. That figure does not include walk‑ins or individuals stopping in for help with questions or paperwork.
Executive Director Kevin Henthorne told county commissioners last week that activity has climbed back to, and in some cases exceeded, pre‑COVID levels. He also noted a shift in the age of veterans seeking help.
The office is seeing more veterans in their 20s and 30s pursuing benefits, a shift from past years when many waited until nearing retirement age to seek assistance.
In 2025, the office provided financial support to roughly 100 Knox County veterans and widows, including help with food and utility needs. Federal tracking shows that in 2023, approximately $19 million in federal VA funds went directly to local veterans. Based on the office’s workload and claims processing, each dollar spent on the VSO’s budget returns an estimated $52 in federal VA dollars to the county, not including health care benefits.
Although the county’s veteran population has declined, disability compensation and pensions for widows totaled about $22 million in 2024, reflecting increased benefit awards for a smaller population.
The Veterans Services Office is funded entirely through property tax revenue. Under Ohio law, VSOs receive 0.5 mills of property tax funding. The office does not apply for grants or solicit donations.
Budget decisions are made by an autonomous board appointed by the common pleas judge. Board members are recommended by five veterans organizations: the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, and one of three additional groups — the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, or the Korean War Veterans Association. County commissioners and the county auditor provide oversight, but they do not control the VSO’s budget.
The office continues to handle complex, long‑running claims that can take years to resolve. Recent approvals include a case that resulted in $1 million in back pay and free health care after 15 years of work, as well as a Camp Lejeune‑related claim approved after 12 years. These cases represent significant financial and health‑care impacts for the veterans involved.
With statewide discussions underway about eliminating property taxes, the VSO has begun preparing for possible funding disruptions. The office implemented a soft spending freeze several months ago and has already prepaid many of its 2026 projects, including promotional materials for the Knox County Fair and advertising.
A position vacated in December will remain unfilled, with duties redistributed among existing staff to reduce payroll costs. The board is also considering a policy that would allow funds to roll over from year to year, which could help maintain operations if revenue becomes unstable. Another option under discussion is creating a budget line for donations, which would allow the office to seek grants or other funding sources if property tax revenue is interrupted.
