Event In Bixby To Help Oklahoma Veterans Streamline Process For Benefits

Veterans have a chance to streamline the process of getting rated for VA benefits through a fun event for the whole family.

Owasso-based Eagle Ops Foundation is hosting VetFest to get Oklahoma’s veterans who aren’t connected to the VA benefits the coverage they’ve earned and deserve.

The foundation said it can often take a veteran up to 8 months to go through the process of filing a claim, waiting for an exam, getting more paperwork, and finally getting rated for their benefits.

But organizers said this weekend, veterans will be able to file their claims, get their exams, and get rated in as little as four hours.

Executive Director Johnathon Shepherd said Oklahoma has about 400,000 veterans, or about 10-percent of the population, but only 150,000 of them are getting the VA benefits they deserve.

“Our focus is, you served, you signed on the dotted line to give up your life for this country and the freedoms. You have benefits. Potentially have healthcare benefits as well as claims benefits that you rate and deserve, then you need to come out here and actually get plugged into the VA," Shepherd said.

VetFest will also have fun events for the family while their veterans get connected, including food trucks, music, and more activities for kids.

It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24 at Evergreen Baptist Church near 111th and Mingo in Bixby.