New location benefits veterans affairs office

A move to the first floor of the Jefferson County Courthouse coupled with advertising has boosted the visibility of the county?s veterans affairs and general relief office.

Until this summer, Pat Frieberg conducted the office?s business from the courthouse?s third floor. Now housed in the supervisors? former office, Frieberg said veterans affairs has benefited greatly from people being able to see it when they?re in the courthouse for other business.

Additionally, Frieberg said her office experienced a 75 percent increase in the number of visits from veterans after she began advertising its services in February.

During the first six months of 2009, Frieberg has already answered 60 calls from veterans and had 130 visitors in her office. For comparison, she took 30 calls during the first six months of 2008 and had 60 visitors, and for the same period in 2004, she accepted 23 calls and 11 visits.

?I?ve seen a great deal of additional activity in veterans affairs,? Frieberg said.

Frieberg assists veterans and spouses of veterans with applying for benefits when faced with moving to assisted living or a nursing home. She assists new veterans seeking health and education benefits and works with Vietnam War veterans who have health issues due to Agent Orange.

Frieberg said employees at SunnyBrook Assisted Living are especially proactive in referring potential clients who may be eligible for benefits to her office.

For the complete article, see the Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.