Yuma County veterans and their families will have an opportunity to connect with a range of support services at the annual StandDown & Benefits Expo on Thursday, Nov. 6. The morning event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 300 S. 13th Ave., and is designed to link participants with benefits, healthcare, disability assistance and employment resources.

The StandDown has long been a local touchpoint for veterans who face barriers to accessing services. Organizers flagged an added need this year amid the ongoing federal shutdown, which has heightened concerns about delays or interruptions in federal benefits and programs that many veterans rely on. That increased strain underscores the role of community-level efforts in filling gaps when federal systems falter.

At a practical level, events like the StandDown aim to reduce logistical hurdles that keep veterans from getting help. By bringing agencies and service providers together in a single, familiar location, the expo can shorten the time it takes to enroll in benefits, obtain healthcare referrals or learn about job opportunities. For veterans with disabilities, chronic health conditions or unstable employment, such streamlined access can translate into more immediate health and economic stability.

The public health implications extend beyond individual veterans to the broader community. Unmet medical needs and gaps in disability supports can increase strain on emergency services and local clinics, and contribute to worsening mental and physical health outcomes over time. In a county where many families have close ties to military service, interruptions in benefits or delays in employment assistance ripple through households and neighborhoods.

The timing of the event during a federal shutdown also highlights larger policy and equity issues. When federal funding or staffing is disrupted, vulnerable populations — including veterans who rely on government benefits — often experience disproportionate harm. Community-based responses like the StandDown are essential stopgaps, but they also point to the need for sustained policy solutions that protect access to healthcare, disability services and employment supports regardless of federal budget disputes.

Local residents are encouraged to attend with identification and any documents related to benefits or medical history that may speed assistance. While the StandDown cannot replace the long-term stability provided by consistent federal funding, it represents a collaborative community effort to reduce immediate harm and connect veterans with resources that support health and economic resilience.

Organizers say the event is intended for veterans and their families across Yuma County and will feature multiple service providers on-site. For many attendees, the expo will provide practical steps toward stabilizing benefits, accessing care and finding work at a time when federal uncertainty has increased need.