The department assists veterans and their families in obtaining local, state, and federal benefits that they are entitled to receive. Emergency financial assistance may be available for a variety of basic needs (could include utilities, shelter, food, transportation, etc.), if requests are approved by Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Some medical equipment may be available for loan such as canes, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs. Transportation is available for veterans to medical services at VA hospital in Minneapolis on odd numbered days of the month.

Provides Minnesota's veterans with legal information, referrals, and legal advice regarding most legal topics. Legal representation services for veterans who are in housing court on a case-by-case basis. Veteran advocate lawyers are only licensed to advise on Minnesota state law, but can connect veterans with legal resources in other states that will meet their legal needs. Legal clinics are also available across the state throughout the year to assist veterans with questions, legal forms, and counsel. Visit website for event details.

Provides assistance and support to veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits through state and federal programs including: - Burial and death benefits ?- Dental and medical care - Education and training - Home loan guarantees - Pension - State Subsistence: Financial assistance for basic dental and optical care, mortgage, personal needs, rent, and utilities for veterans who cannot work due to temporary disability.

The following are benefits and services that veterans and dependents may be entitled to through federal and state programs: Federal Benefits (US Department of Veterans Affairs) Service Connected Disability Compensation Non-service Connected Disability Pension Dependency and indemnity Compensation (DIV) Chemical Dependency Treatment Education benefits Vocational Rehabilitation VA Home Loans Burial benefits Medical Care at VA Hospitals Agent Orange benefits State Benefits (Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs) Temporary financial assistance (short term disability) Dental and Optical assistance State veteran's homes (nursing home and domiciliary care) Veterans and war orphans education benefits Veterans preference advocacy State veterans' cemetery (Little Falls, MN)

Provides Minnesota's veterans with legal information, referrals, and legal advice regarding most legal topics. Legal representation services for veterans who are in housing court on a case-by-case basis. Veteran advocate lawyers are only licensed to advise on Minnesota state law, but can connect veterans with legal resources in other states that will meet their legal needs. Legal clinics are also available across the state throughout the year to assist veterans with questions, legal forms, and counsel. Visit website for event details.

Advises and assists all veterans and their dependents with all state and federal veterans benefits. Services include: ?- Alcohol/drug dependency treatment referrals ?- Burial benefits ?- Death benefits ?- Death benefits ?- Dental care referrals ?- Disability ?- Disability insurance ?- Discharge reviews ?- Domiciliary care ?- Education and training ?- Financial assistance ?- GI Bill educational training ?- GI Life Insurance ?- Home loan guaranteed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs ?- Non-service connected disability pension ?- Outpatient medical care referrals ?- Service-connected disability compensation ?- Social Security ?- Survivors and dependents education ?- Transportation to and from scheduled medical appointments at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers or affiliated VA appointments ?- Vocational rehabilitation for disabled

Assists veterans with the following services: - Burial benefits - Disability compensation - Education on benefits - Hospitalization and dental benefits - Pension - Persian Gulf War benefits information: 1-800-749-8387 - Rehabilitation and chemical dependency treatment - Transportation to medical centers (VA center in the cities, especially) - VA home loans and insurance - Veterans relief state bonuses

Provides guidance and assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors in applying for veteran benefits. Advises and assists veterans with all state and federal veterans benefits, such as: - Burial benefits - Financial assistance through the V.A. for dental work - G.I. Bill educational training - G.I. Life Insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Referrals to other public and private programs - Service-connected disability compensation - Survivor's and dependent education - Transportation to Sioux Falls VA Medical Center - Veteran/Military health insurance - Veteran survivor insurance

Advises and assists veterans and their dependents with all state and federal veterans benefits such as: - Burial benefits - Financial assistance through the V.A. for dental work - G.I. Bill education assistance - G. I. Bill life insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Information about and referrals to other service agencies for chemical dependency treatment and vocational rehabilitation - Outpatient medical care through the V.A. - Service-connected disability compensation - "State Soldiers Assistance Program" (SSAP) provides cash assistance in the form of shelter payments (rent and mortgage), utilities, and personal needs grants to veterans who are unable to work as a result of a temporary disability. There are strict income and asset requirements. - Survivors and dependents education - Transportation to VA Medical Center - Veteran/military health insurance - Veteran survivor insurance

Provide assistance and support to veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits through county, state, and federal programs. Benefits include: - Burial benefits - Dental and Optical vouchers for both qualified veterans and their spouses - Discharge review - Emergency Financial assistance upon approval of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs - Education and training - GI Bill education training - GI life insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the USDVA - Outpatient medical care - Medical assistance in veterans hospitals and grants for non-veteran hospitals - Non-service related disability pension - Service related disability compensation - Survivors and dependents education - Transportation to VA Medical Center - Veteran/Military health insurance - Veteran survivor insurance

Advises and assists veterans and their dependents with state and federal veterans benefits including: - Burial benefits - state and federal - Service-connected disability compensation - Dental treatment - Discharge reviews - Domiciliary care - Drug dependency treatment - Education and training - Financial assistance - G.I. Bill educational training - G.I. Life Insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Outpatient medical care - Non-service connected disability pension - Survivors and dependents education - Vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans

Provide assistance and support to veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits through county, state, and federal programs. Benefits include: ?- Burial ?- Dental/Optical Program ?- Dependent/Survivor ?- Disability Compensation ?- Education ?- Home Loan certificates ?- Life Insurance ?- Pension ?- Special Needs ?- Subsistence (shelter; utilities) ?- Veterans Affairs Health Care

Provides Minnesota's veterans with legal information, referrals, and legal advice regarding most legal topics. Legal representation services for veterans who are in housing court on a case-by-case basis. Veteran advocate lawyers are only licensed to advise on Minnesota state law, but can connect veterans with legal resources in other states that will meet their legal needs. Legal clinics are also available across the state throughout the year to assist veterans with questions, legal forms, and counsel. Visit website for event details.

Advises and assists veterans and their dependents with all state and federal veterans benefits such as: - Burial benefits - Compensation and pension benefits - Financial assistance through the V.A. for dental work - G.I. Bill education assistance - G. I. Bill life insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Information about and referrals to other service agencies for chemical dependency treatment and vocational rehabilitation - Outpatient medical care through the V.A. - Service-connected disability compensation - State Soldiers Assistance Program (SSAP) provides cash assistance in the form of shelter payments (rent and mortgage), utilities, and personal needs grants to veterans who are unable to work as a result of a temporary disability. There are strict income and asset requirements. - Survivors and dependents education - Transportation to VA Medical Center - Veteran/military health insurance - Veteran survivor insurance

Provides guidance and assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors in applying for veteran benefits. Advises and assists veterans with all state and federal veterans benefits, such as: - Burial benefits - G.I. Bill educational training - G.I. Life Insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Referrals to other public and private programs - Service-connected disability compensation - Survivors and dependent education - Transportation to VA Medical Centers such as Minneapolis and Saint Cloud Veteran Administration Medical Centers - Veteran/Military health insurance - Veteran survivor insurance

Deployment Services - Coping With Deployments Course: Spouses, parents, siblings and significant others learn skill-building techniques that help them respond to the challenges of the deployment cycle - Mind-Body Workshops: Offer an alternative method of healing that engages both the mind and body to address common stress reactions that occur within military families and communities - Post-Deployment Support Resources: Information and workshops to help families re-adjust to being together after a loved one's deployment - Pre-Deployment Preparedness Tool for Family Members: Makes sure families are prepared with information they may need throughout the deployment - Reconnection Workshops: Enhance the likelihood of positive reconnections among family members and successful re-engagement of service members and veteran in civilian life Emergency Communications? - The American Red Cross independently verifies an emergency, enabling the service member's commander to make an educated decision regarding emergency leave and then provides transportation assistance and/or financial assistance if needed Financial Assistance? - The American Red Cross works in partnership with Military Aid Societies to provide financial assistance which includes funds for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, emergency food and shelter, etc. Aid Societies determine the financial assistance package that will be offered - a grant or loan. The Red Cross is the mechanism to expedite access to these financial resources. Information and Referral Services? - Offers confidential services to all members of the military, veterans and their families by connecting them with local, state and national resources through the network of American Red Cross chapters. Local chapters develop and maintain relationships with community partners. Military families rely on the local chapter to help them identify their needs and connect them to the most appropriate chapter and community resources. These services range from responding to emergency needs for food, clothing and shelter; referrals to counseling services (e.g. financial, legal, mental health, etc.); respite care for caregivers; and other resources. Military and Veteran Caregiver Network? - Peers engage to exchange experiences, empathy, education and encouragement - Connect Online: Connect with caregivers in a secure, custom, peer-moderated online community - Share With a Mentor: Share with caregivers in an understanding, one-on-one, peer mentor relationship - Join a Support Group: Join caregivers in confidential, peer-facilitated support groups in the community and online Veteran Services? - Veterans Claims for Benefits: Assists veterans and their families in preparing, developing and obtaining evidence to support applicants' claims for veterans' benefits. Also assists claimants seeking to appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA).

Provides guidance and assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors in applying for veteran benefits. Advises and assists veterans with all state and federal veterans benefits, such as: - Burial benefits - G.I. Bill educational training - G.I. Life Insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Referrals to other public and private programs such as state veteran homes and treatment programs - Service-connected disability compensation - Survivors and dependent education - Transportation to VA Medical Center - Veteran/Military health insurance - Veteran survivor insurance

Advises and assists veterans and their dependents with state and federal veterans benefits, including: - Alcohol dependency treatment - Burial benefits - Service-connected disability compensation - Dental treatment - Disability insurance - Discharge reviews - Death benefits - Domiciliary care - Drug dependency treatment - Education and training - Financial assistance - G.I. Bill educational training - G.I. Life Insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Non-service connected disability pension - Outpatient medical care - Survivors and dependents education - Vocational rehabilitation for disabled

- Assists veterans in applying for state and federal Department of Veterans Affairs benefits to include pension and compensation, health care, VA home loans, education benefits and CD treatment. - Assists veterans in completing paperwork for discharge upgrades and military record requests. - Provide program information relating to Agent Orange radiation, asbestos and chemical/biological exposures - Provide transportation for veterans to and from VA medical appointments - Assist veterans and their families in finding and maintaining adequate housing. - Coordinate with other support agencies as necessary to meet individual veteran needs.

Advises and assists veterans and their dependents with all state and federal veterans benefits, such as: - Burial benefits - Service-connected disability compensation - Veteran survivor insurance - Veteran/Military health insurance - G.I. Bill educational training - G.I. Life Insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Transportation to VA Medical Center - Outpatient medical care through the V.A. - Financial assistance through the V.A. for dental work - Survivors and dependents education "State Soldiers Assistance Program" (SSAP): provides veterans who are unable to work as a result of temporary disability with cash assistance toward housing (rent, mortgage, and utilities) and other personal needs. There are strict income and asset requirements. Information about and referrals to other service agencies for chemical dependency treatment and vocational rehabilitation.

Advise and assist all veterans and their dependents with all state and federal veterans benefits: Disability, Social Security including: - Alcohol dependency treatment - Burial benefits - Service-connected disability compensation - Dental treatment - Disability insurance - Discharge reviews - Death benefits - Domiciliary care - Death benefits - Drug dependency treatment - Education and training - Financial assistance - G.I. Bill educational training - G.I. Life Insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the U.S.D.V.A. - Outpatient medical care - Non-service connected disability pension - Survivors and dependents education - Vocational rehabilitation for disabled

Led by a committee of local veterans to fill gaps in local veterans' services: - Annual local retreats for veterans, service members, and their families - Funding for basic needs of veteran households in crisis - Holiday meal kits provided in December - Quarterly free events for veterans, service members, and their families

Provides Minnesota's veterans with legal information, referrals, and legal advice regarding most legal topics. Legal representation services for veterans who are in housing court on a case-by-case basis. Veteran advocate lawyers are only licensed to advise on Minnesota state law, but can connect veterans with legal resources in other states that will meet their legal needs. Legal clinics are also available across the state throughout the year to assist veterans with questions, legal forms, and counsel. Visit website for event details.

Provide assistance and support to veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits through county, state, and federal programs. Benefits include: - Chemical dependency treatment - Death and Burial benefits - Dental and Optical vouchers for both qualified veterans and their spouses - Discharge review - Emergency Financial assistance upon approval of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs - Education and training - GI Bill education training - GI life insurance - Home loan guaranteed by the USDVA - Outpatient medical care - Medical assistance in veterans hospitals and grants for non-veteran hospitals - Non-service related disability pension - Service related disability compensation - Survivors and dependents education - Transportation to VA clinics in Saint Cloud, Fargo, and Minneapolis - Vocational rehabilitation for the disabled

Help for veterans looking to access: - Compensation and pension benefits - Information and referral - Medical care enrollment - Survivor benefits - Transportation to VA Medical Center appointments - VA education programs - VA home loans - VA Insurance programs - VA state and federal burial benefits - VA state temporary financial aid, dental, optical, and special needs