Quick answer: As of February 20, 2026, VFW Veterans Service Officers no longer hold weekday hours inside the Everett Vet Center. Snohomish County veterans now have three primary in-person options for VA claims help: VBA staff visits (monthly, by appointment) at the Everett Vet Center at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207; the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett; and the VFW Department of Washington office in Suite 101 of the same Everett Mall Way building. Vet Center counseling services were not affected by the change.
For any veteran in Snohomish County, Skagit County, or Island County who has relied on the Everett Vet Center as the closest “VA building” for help filing a disability claim or appeal, the path has changed. Nothing you earned has changed. Only the door to walk through has.
This is the complete 2026 guide to where to go now.
What actually changed on February 20, 2026
The Everett Vet Center at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207, had for years hosted VFW-credentialed Veterans Service Officers on weekdays as a partner service. A VSO is an accredited representative who helps veterans prepare and file VA claims and appeals — at no charge to the veteran.
On February 20, 2026, that arrangement ended. VFW VSOs are no longer staffing the Everett Vet Center on weekdays. In place of the weekday VSO presence, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) staff — federal employees, not volunteer VSOs — now visit the Vet Center monthly to take claims appointments.
The Vet Center’s core mission was not affected. Readjustment counseling, PTSD counseling, military sexual trauma counseling, family and bereavement support, and group programs continue on the Monday-through-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. schedule. Non-traditional hours are available by arrangement. The after-hours Vet Center Call Center remains 877-927-8387.
Option 1: VBA monthly visits at the Everett Vet Center
Location: 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207, Everett, WA 98208
Phone: (425) 252-9701
What to expect: VBA staff from the Seattle VA Regional Office visit once a month to take claims appointments. These are by appointment only — walk-ins are not recommended. The Vet Center publishes the updated monthly schedule.
This is the closest thing to a continuation of the previous arrangement. For veterans who built a relationship with the Vet Center as their VA access point, this is the option that keeps you in the same building.
Option 2: Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program
Location: 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 (Snohomish County Administration East Building)
Phone: (425) 388-7255
What to expect: The county’s own veterans assistance program provides emergency financial assistance, VA claim filing help, and connections to additional benefits. This is a county government program, separate from the VA itself, funded in part by the county’s veterans assistance levy.
For veterans who want a one-stop local government office that can help both with VA claims and with emergency assistance (rent, utilities, transportation), this is the option with the broadest scope. Walk-ins are accepted during business hours, but calling ahead is always faster.
Option 3: VFW Department of Washington, Suite 101
Location: 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101, Everett, WA 98208
What to expect: The VFW Department of Washington maintains an office one suite over from the Vet Center in the same building. Accredited VFW VSOs work out of this office for scheduled appointments. This is the closest spiritual continuation of the pre-February arrangement.
For veterans who specifically want to work with a VFW-credentialed VSO and want to stay in the same building as before, Suite 101 is where to call. Appointments should be scheduled in advance.
What each option is best for
New claims. Any of the three options can help you file an initial VA disability claim. Snohomish County’s Veterans Assistance Program has local-government wraparound services that pair well with a new claim if you are also in financial crisis.
Appeals. Appeals benefit from the accredited VSO model — either VFW at Suite 101 or the American Legion and DAV-accredited reps at the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program. Appeals are procedurally complex and the free VSO representation is materially valuable.
Records requests. The VBA monthly visit at the Vet Center is often the cleanest path for veterans who need DD-214 replacement, service treatment records, or specific VBA paperwork handled.
Emergency assistance. Snohomish County’s Veterans Assistance Program is the only option with direct emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, transportation).
What about the Everett VA Outpatient Clinic?
The Everett VA Outpatient Clinic on Smokey Point Boulevard handles primary care and mental health care for enrolled veterans. It is not a benefits office. You cannot file VA disability claims at the outpatient clinic. If your question is about medical care, the clinic is the right place. If your question is about claims, appeals, or benefits paperwork, it is not.
Who the Everett Vet Center still serves
A reminder that nothing about the following changed on February 20, 2026:
- Readjustment counseling for combat veterans
- Military sexual trauma counseling
- Family and couples therapy
- Bereavement counseling for families of service members who died on active duty
- Veteran group programs
- After-hours Vet Center Call Center: 877-927-8387
If you came to the Vet Center for counseling, the door is still open the same hours it always was.
Why the change matters geographically
The Everett Vet Center is the closest VA-affiliated building for veterans living in Marysville, Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and the Smokey Point/Arlington corridor. For veterans with mobility limitations, transportation constraints, or PTSD-related anxiety about new environments, losing the weekday walk-in claims help is a real friction point. The fix is not giving up — it’s knowing the three options above and calling to schedule.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I file a VA disability claim in Snohomish County in 2026?
Three options: VBA staff during monthly visits at the Everett Vet Center (by appointment), the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, or the VFW Department of Washington office at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101.
Is the Everett Vet Center closed?
No. The Vet Center remains open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with full counseling services. Only the weekday VFW Service Officer arrangement ended February 20, 2026.
Do I have to pay for VA claims help?
No. All three Snohomish County options — VBA monthly visits, county Veterans Assistance Program, and VFW-accredited VSOs — provide VA claims help free of charge.
Can I walk in without an appointment?
The Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program accepts walk-ins during business hours (but calling first is faster). VBA monthly visits at the Vet Center and VFW Department at Suite 101 are appointment-based.
What does the Everett VA Outpatient Clinic do?
Primary care and mental health care for enrolled veterans. It is not a benefits office — you cannot file VA disability claims there.
What is a VSO?
A Veterans Service Officer — an accredited representative (often VFW, American Legion, or DAV) who can help veterans file and represent VA claims and appeals free of charge.
What is VBA?
Veterans Benefits Administration — the federal agency inside the Department of Veterans Affairs that handles benefits claims. VBA staff are federal employees. VSOs are accredited volunteers or service-organization employees.
Who do I call for the after-hours Vet Center Call Center?
1-877-927-8387, staffed 24/7 for veterans in need of confidential support.
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