Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton County Veterans Service Office Director Joe Battisfore said the Oct. 1 federal government shutdown will not impact veterans or his office’s ability to assist them.

HOUGHTON COUNTY – Veterans in the Copper Country will not be directed affected by Wednesday’s shutdown of the federal government, says Joe Battisfore, Houghton County veterans service office director.

Battisfore said because his office is a county organization, the employees are not directly employed by the Veterans Administration, and area veteran should not be impacted by the shutdown.

“We’re still here,” he said, “and the healthcare side, from what we’ve been told, will have no effect.”

Battisfore said his office assists veterans in applying for benefits with everything, from healthcare, through compensation, pension applications, and should see no delays in processing.

“If someone comes in and files a claim, if that effects the claim processing,” he said, “but it looks like they will see very little effect. At least, that’s what the VA is advertising,”

According the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Contingency Plan, the VA estimates that 97% percent of its employees will continue to work during the shutdown.

According to the plan, VA medical centers, outpatient clinics and Vet centers will remain open and providing full services.

VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.

Battisfore said that while his office is not affected by the federal shutdown, it may be impacted if the Michigan government shuts down, which may or may not happen.

On Wednesday the first day of the new fiscal year, Michigan lawmakers missed the deadline to approve a full budget, but they passed a stopgap bill to keep the government funded for one week, through October 8. The temporary budget extension ensures that state employees will continue to work and residents will have access to uninterrupted services.

“We might reduce our hours if the state shutdown happens,” Battisfore said.

Battisfore said if veterans have any questions regarding the impact the shutdown may impact them, they should either call the office at (906) 482-0102, or stop in. The office is located in the main terminal building of the Houghton County Memorial Airport.