Veteran Requests for Assistance Drop in 2020
Veterans from all eras reside in San Bernardino County, with needs ranging from aging and adult services to children’s services, and from transitional assistance to public health. Strengthening support networks for service members and their families may reduce the long-term individual and societal impacts of war. Financial benefits obtained for veterans results in local spending, job creation, and tax revenue. This indicator provides information about veterans in San Bernardino County, including demographic trends, economic and educational outcomes, counts of requests for assistance from County Veterans Affairs, benefits received per veteran, and information on veterans experiencing homelessness.
How is San Bernardino County Doing?
TREND
Similar to trends nationwide, the number of veterans living in San Bernardino County is declining. In 2020, approximately 4.4% of San Bernardino County’s population was comprised of veterans.1 Between 2019 and 2048, the veteran population in San Bernardino County is projected to decline 37%, from an estimated 101,000 to 64,000. This is a slower decline than statewide, which anticipates a 46% decline.
NUMBER OF VETERANS IN SAN BERNADINO COUNTY IS DECLINING
Number of Veterans in San Bernardino County and California, 2019-2048
While the overall veteran population is decreasing, the number of veterans returning home from active duty is increasing, historically driving requests for assistance in recent years. However, veteran requests for assistance dropped significantly in 2020, potentially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived safe program access. Requests for assistance grew 14% between 2018 and 2019, but dropped 31% between 2019 and 2020. Overall, requests for assistance are up 8% over the past 10 years. Requests for assistance include compensation for service-related injuries, pension for wartime veterans, education expenses, health care coverage, and survivor benefits.
The average new award for state and federal benefits obtained by San Bernardino County veterans service officers for veterans was $8,717 per veteran in 2018/19, which is similar to the statewide average of $9,509.2
AFTER STEADY INCREASE, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE DROP SHARPLY IN 2020
Requests for Assistance to the County Department of Veterans Affairs in San Bernardino County, 2011-2020
Based on data from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), in the two-year period between January 2019 and December 2020, a total of 332 veterans were housed. Over this same period, the number of homeless veterans in any given month fluctuated from a low of 69 to a high of 103; the two-year average was 84. The monthly count contracts and expands as homeless veterans are housed and new homeless veterans are identified. Staff review data on a weekly basis to understand current veteran status.
AN AVERAGE OF 84 VETERANS ARE HOMELESS EACH MONTH
Average Monthly Number of Homeless Veterans and Cumulative Number of Veterans Housed in San Bernardino County, January 2019-December 2020
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Most veterans (71%) identify as White, with Black veterans comprising the next largest share at 14%. These racial identifications do not take into account ethnicity; they include people who identify as Latino or Non-Latino. A little over a quarter (27%) of veterans identify as Latino (of any race).
MOST VETERANS IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY IDENTIFY AS WHITE
Distribution of Veterans by Race in San Bernardino County, 2019
SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL
Veterans typically fare better on most economic and educational measures. On average, San Bernardino County veterans have higher income, lower unemployment, higher educational attainment, and a lower poverty rate compared to non-veterans. However, more veterans have a disability (32%) compared to the non-veteran population (13%).
VETERANS FARE BETTER THAN NON-VETERANS ON KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Percentage of Veteran and Non-Veteran Residents with Select Characteristics in San Bernardino County, 2019
Veterans Non-Veterans Median Income $43,324 $27,177 Living in Poverty 6.2% 12.9% Unemployment Rate 3.1% 6.8% High School Diploma or Higher 94.1% 79.0% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 27.8% 20.9% With a Disability 27.9% 12.0%
Most San Bernardino County veterans are Gulf War vets (46%), followed by Vietnam era vets (33%). Women comprise 10% of the total veteran population in San Bernardino County.
MOST VETERANS SERVED IN THE GULF WAR
Percent of Veterans by Period of Service in San Bernardino County, 2019