From Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs
The Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs (Berks VA) has achieved a historic milestone, officially ranking #1 among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties for both veterans disability compensation and pension benefits, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (PADMVA) Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) production report.
During State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026, Berks VA secured an unprecedented $58,452,676 in federal compensation and pension benefits for Berks County veterans and their families, representing a 25% increase over the previous fiscal year and an extraordinary 64% increase since new departmental leadership assumed responsibility in late 2023.
The achievement marks a defining moment for Berks County and reflects a fundamental transformation in how the department serves those who have worn our nation’s uniform.
A historic achievement built on people, purpose, and a new approach
When Director Lt. Col. Jay Ostrich, USAF (Ret.), and Deputy Director CW2 Will Tobin, USA (Ret.), were appointed by the Berks County Board of Commissioners in late 2023, the department established a strategic vision centered on the optimal well-being of Berks County’s veteran population.
That vision extended beyond simply processing claims. It called for reimagining the veteran experience, eliminating barriers to care, expanding access to earned benefits, and building meaningful connections between Berks County veterans and the community they once swore to defend.
The department’s relocation to a new facility in Wyomissing was central to that transformation. Additionally, its new commitment to a trauma-informed care model recognized the unique experiences, challenges, and invisible wounds many veterans carry long after their military service has ended. Rather than expecting veterans to navigate a fragmented system on their own, the department embraced a more welcoming, compassionate, private, and coordinated approach to service delivery.
Director Ostrich credited the department’s remarkable success to the professionals who embraced that vision and translated it into meaningful results for veterans.
“This historic accomplishment belongs first and foremost to the extraordinary men and women of Berks County Veterans Affairs,” Ostrich said. “Rankings and dollar figures may grab the headlines, but behind every successful claim is a dedicated member of our staff who understands that we are not simply processing paperwork — we are changing and often saving lives. When we asked our team to embrace a new location, a new culture, and a trauma-informed model of care, we were asking them to fundamentally rethink how we serve our veterans. They didn’t just accept that challenge; they took ownership of it and made it their mission. Their compassion, professionalism, resilience, and unwavering commitment to our veterans are the reasons Berks County now leads the Commonwealth. I could not be prouder of this team. This is their victory, and more importantly, it is a victory for every veteran and family we have the privilege to serve.”
Unprecedented financial growth for Berks County veterans
The department’s financial performance demonstrates the measurable impact of its strategic transformation.
- #1 in Pennsylvania: Highest county ranking for veterans compensation and pension benefits – first time Berks has been ranked first in both categories simultaneously.
- $58,452,676: Total federal compensation and pension benefits secured in SFY 2026.
- 25% annual growth: Increase from $46,815,389 in SFY 2025.
- 64% growth since 2023: Increase from the $35,576,000 baseline when the current leadership team assumed responsibility.
- $22,876,676 increase: Additional annual federal benefit dollars compared with the 2023 baseline.
- Over $4.5 million in property tax relief: Real estate tax exemption credits processed for eligible disabled veterans during SFY 2026.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the effort and results from our Berks VA team,” said Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach. “Not only are they setting the pace statewide, but they are providing critical financial stability for our veterans and their families while strengthening the broader Berks County economy.”
Unlike locally funded assistance programs, federal veterans compensation and pension benefits represent resources earned through military service and brought into the community through successful advocacy, claims development, and access to government programs.
Beyond benefits: a commitment to optimal veteran well-being
While the financial milestones are unprecedented, department leadership emphasizes that compensation and pension benefits represent only one component of a broader mission.
The department’s strategic approach recognizes that financial instability, housing insecurity, social isolation, untreated mental health challenges, and difficulty navigating government systems can intersect to threaten a veteran’s well-being, even their lives. A study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found that more than 159,000 of our service members died by suicide. In Berks County this year, 26% of all suicides were by veterans, despite being just 4.5% of our population.
By embracing trauma-informed care and building stronger relationships with healthcare providers, community organizations, businesses, and fellow veterans, the department seeks to address these challenges before they escalate into crises.
Deputy Director Tobin reflected on the department’s transformation: “When Lt. Col. Ostrich and I came on board in late 2023, we immediately sat down and developed a strategic vision for the optimal well-being of our veteran cohort. We focused heavily on connecting them to mental health services, securing financial assistance, and expanding access to VA programs. Beyond the numbers, our ultimate goal has been to create an environment here in Berks County where veterans truly feel valued, and to foster a community that actively shows its appreciation for their service.”
The department’s philosophy reflects a simple but powerful conviction: veterans deserve more than access to benefits. They deserve a community committed to their dignity, stability, and long-term well-being.
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