U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), in conjunction with the Veterans Administration (VA), will host a VA Telephone Claims Clinic for vets, military retirees and their family members, and active duty service members on August 18 and 19, 2020.

     “It’s vitally important that veterans, active duty military, military retirees and their dependents have access to their VA services during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Smith said. “Health needs don’t take a hiatus, not for COVID-19 or anything else. This ‘telephone claims clinic’ offers a critical opportunity for veterans to reach and speak with the appropriate officials at the VA regarding their claims and benefits—and my staff and I will be able to help and ensure access and added assistance, if needed, on each claim.”

        The deadline to sign up is Aug. 11.

     Smith has hosted in-person clinics with the VA in the past, but in the current COVID-19 environment and accompanying precautions, the VA has turned to more telephone appointments to safely serve veterans’ needs. Therefore, Smith’s office makes appointments for private telephone conferences between the veterans and a VA representative.

     To make an appointment for the Aug. 18-19 VA Telephone Claims Clinic, call Smith’s office at (609) 585-7878 by Aug. 11. The offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and are open for visits by appointment.

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