Government
BY PARKS KUGLE
With an estimated population of 159,000 residents having served in the military, Bexar County has the second largest population of veterans in Texas. Addi- tionally, the county is also home to roughly 80,000 active-duty service members, and with the county’s population expected to grow to 2.4 million by 2030, these numbers are only projected to grow. To accommodate the signi cant population of active and former service members, the Bexar County Department of Military and Veterans Services has expanded its reach across the county. The overview Multiple North San Antonio ZIP codes have a higher rate of veterans among their population than the county average of 9.6%. This includes 78230, which has the highest proportion of veterans at 18.7%; 78231 with 13.6% of residents; 78259 and 78260 with 11%; and 78232 and 78248 with 10.2% of the population comprised of veterans. Originally con ned to its headquarters on East Grayson Street and an army transition center at Fort Sam Houston, MVS has added six new o ces across the county since 2023 to accommodate that growth, which has drastically increased the department’s outreach capabilities. According to county o cials, the department serves as an advocate agency that assists military service members transitioning back to civilian life; veterans, military spouses and their survivors with claiming bene ts; job placement; peer support; and nancial assistance. Keith Wilson, executive director of MVS, said the department’s services do not end with ling a bene t claim, but continue throughout the entire process. “Our services, care and advocacy does not stop after the ling of a Veteran A airs bene t claim. We continue to follow the progress of the VA claims process with the service member, veteran, military spouse or dependent throughout the often lengthy time it takes the VA to reach a decision,” Wilson said. From 2023-25, the department has processed 7,254 claims, garnering an estimated $50.8 million in bene ts for their claimants. What else? To supplement and enhance veteran services Bexar County Veterans Services expands outreach
Multiple North San Antonio ZIP codes have a higher rate of veterans among their population than the county average of 9.6%.
COURTESY CITY OF ROUND ROCK
Military and Veterans Services claims by precinct The department was able to process 3,158 claims resulting in $25.26 million being awarded to individuals.
Precinct 0 Precinct 1
Precinct 2
Precinct 4
Precinct 3
113
96
$0.44M
$6.81M
1,020
$9.45M
1,077
961
900
3,462 customers
3,158 claims
$25.26M awarded
563
666
748
476
$5.3M
$3.25M
SOURCE: BEXAR COUNTY MILITARY AND VETERANS SERVICES COMMUNITY IMPACT
within Bexar County, the department expanded its capabilities to include assisting transitioning service members with a focus on employment services. County o cials said that since this expansion in 2022, the department has recalibrated its employ- ment and transition services team’s scope into a more holistic approach. The team now specializes in identifying pathways to employment, directly placing clients with companies, o ering training and education assistance, providing information on di erent industries and salaries, and helping to translate military experience into civilian-based skills. In 2025, the department has engaged with over 1,300 potential employment and education clients and helped to write over 85 resumes.
One more thing MVS also received two grants in July from the Texas Veterans Commission to provide nancial assistance and peer support for Bexar County veterans. Funding from the grants will run through June 2026. According to county o cials, the nancial assistance program provides temporary and limited emergency assistance and nancial relief. From January to March 2025, the program has provided over $166,000 in mortgage, rent, utility and trans- portation assistance to 170 Bexar County veterans, family members and surviving spouses. For more information on MVS services, visit www.bexar.org/vets or call the MVS main o ce at 210-435-7838.
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
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