MESCALERO — The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and the Mescalero Apache Tribe will host a veterans’ benefits event this week in Mescalero.

VA and Tribal Veterans’ Service Officers, along with other knowledgeable advocates, will be on hand to assist veterans with the completion of VA claims paperwork from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, in the conference center at Inn of the Mountain Gods.

Claims will be reviewed on the spot with hopes of same-day approval. In addition, spouses and widows/widowers may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) when a veteran dies as a result of these presumptive disabilities.

Employees from the Albuquerque VA Health Care System will be available to enroll veterans in VA health care. As part of the PACT Act process, veterans may also complete toxic health screenings with VA clinicians. Assistance will additionally be available from the Las Cruces Vet Center, the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services and the VA Loan Guaranty Office.

If you served in the military in any capacity and are unsure if you qualify, you are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and allow VA staff to do research on your behalf.