To accommodate the significant 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 its population made up of veterans.
According to county officials, 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 benefits, job placement, peer support and financial assistance.
Keith Wilson, executive director of MVS, said the department’s services do not end with filing a benefit claim, but continue throughout the entire process.
“Our services, care and advocacy does not stop after the filing of a Veteran Affairs benefit 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 benefits for their claimants.
What else?
To supplement and enhance veteran services within Bexar County, former county Judge Nelson Wolff and former county Commissioner Kevin Wolff expanded the department’s capabilities to include assisting transitioning service members with their transition with a focus on employment services.
County officials said that since this expansion in 2022, the department has recalibrated its employment 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, offering training and education assistance, providing information on different industries and salaries, and helping to translate military experience into civilian-based skills. Assistance is available to transitioning service members, veterans and their families.
One more thing
MVS also received two grants in July from the Texas Veterans Commission to provide financial assistance and peer support for Bexar veterans. Funding from the grants will run through June 2026.
According to county officials, the financial assistance program provides temporary and limited emergency assistance and financial relief. From January to March 2025, the program has provided over $166,000 in mortgage, rent, utility and transportation assistance to 170 Bexar County veterans, family members and surviving spouses. County officials said 70% of the direct assistance expenditures were for mortgage and rent relief, and roughly 22% went toward utility assistance.
Additionally, MVS has used the peer support grant to provide 74 clients a safe environment to share common experiences as they transition to civilian life.
For more information on MVS services, visit www.bexar.org/vets or call the MVS main office at 210-435-7838.
