Featured items
State Legislative Update 2012 Session
On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, the Minnesota House and Senate will convene the 2012 legislative session at noon. Floor sessions will be held on Monday and Thursday each week.
At this time, neither the House nor the Senate has scheduled any committee hearings with oversight of veterans issues.
Save the Date! Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The annual Veterans Day on the Hill, which is jointly sponsored by the Commanders’ Task Force (CTF), the United Veterans Legislative Council (UVLC) and the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers (MACVSO) will kick-off with a rally in the Capitol Rotunda at 9:00 a.m. Governor Mark Dayton will be the keynote speaker. Veterans are urged to make appointments with their area legislators to encourage their support of veterans issues. More details available soon !
New Section: Veteran Employment
In the "Hot Topics" Section on the left side navigation is a new link to Veteran Employment. This section will include highlighted employment opportunities for veterans.
Veteran Employment
70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Remembered
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 marks the 70th Anniversary of the Attacks on Pearl Harbor. The 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was a defining moment in U.S. history.
More Information
Vote for the Minnesota Veterans Home - Minneapolis
The MN Veterans Home - Minneapolis is competing in a Home Depot Contest to win $25,000 and be eligible to compete for $250,000. The winner in this social media campaign with the most votes wins. Go to http://www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation and cast your vote every 24 hours through the end of November!
More Information
Expanded GI Bill to Give Veterans Access to Job Training
As the Dayton Administration strives to get Minnesota working again, Governor Mark Dayton today proposed expanding the Minnesota GI Bill to provide thousands of Veterans access to new job training. The announcement was part of a two-part Veterans proposal made today with Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito.
More Information
Minnesota Receives $1.18 million Federal Transit Grant for Veterans and
Military Families
The Minnesota Department of Transportation received a $1.18 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to create a transportation referral system that will improve transportation options and mobility for Minnesota's veterans, service members, their families and other Minnesota residents. The grant is from the USDOT Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Capital Grants Program.
More Information
State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program
The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force and Governor Mark Dayton invite Veterans, families, elected officials, and community members to celebrate and honor all Veterans who have served this country with bravery. This program was selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as the official regional site for the 2011 observance.
More Information
Veterans Day 2011
November 11 is Veterans Day, the national holiday dedicated to honoring all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. In honor of all U. S. Military Veterans, the Commanders' Task Force and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs host the Minnesota State Veterans Day Program at the Inver Grove Heights Veterans Memorial Community Center on November 11. Visit MDVA’s Veterans Day 2011 page (link below) for details and other Veterans Day events around the state.
Veterans Day 2011
Employment Opportunity: Deputy Commissioner Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Care
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. MDVA has two divisions, Veterans Healthcare and Veterans Programs and Services. The Veteran's Healthcare Division operates five (5) Veterans Homes located throughout the State and is responsible to provide quality care services for Veterans and qualified spouses. Each Home is managed by a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. These administrators, along with several administrative managers (including Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legislative Affairs and others) report to this position. This position reports to the Commissioner, who is appointed by the Governor. The MDVA operates on a biennial budget cycle which consists of State general funds, Federal funds, miscellaneous revenues and donations. The Healthcare Division's biennial budget is 191+ million at it employs about 1500 staff.
Position Details
Walz Encourages Soldiers to Submit Claims for Stop Loss Payments
Those Eligible Must Submit a Claim By October 21, 2011
The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status. Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of servicemembers whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP.
To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay. Throughout the year, the services have been reaching out to servicemembers, veterans and their families through direct mail, veteran service organizations, and the media. But there is still money left to be claimed, and the deadline is approaching. The average benefit is $3,700
General Procedure
Individuals who meet eligibility criteria may submit an application between Oct. 21, 2009 and October 21, 2011. By law, there is no authorization to make payments on claims that are submitted after October 21, 2011.
Eligible members should visit their specific service's Web site and submit their application on-line; on-line submission provides a claim number, allows for automated status updates, and provides a means for the military service to contact the applicant.
If eligible members do not have internet access, they should print, complete and sign Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment. Next, choose the appropriate method for submitting the claim form and available supporting documents based on your service specifications. This information can be found on your service's stop loss Web site.
The following documents (see "Source Documents" below) are examples of authorized source documents but may not be comprehensive, depending on specific status and service.
Tell a Friend
If you know someone who separated/retired and may be eligible, remind them to submit a claim before the deadline!
Note on Eligibility
Effective Dec. 19, 2009, per the Defense Appropriations Act, stop-lossed servicemembers who voluntarily reenlisted or extended their service, and received a bonus for such reenlistment or extension of service, became ineligible to receive retroactive stop loss special pay. There may be rare circumstances where an individual can be eligible for this pay and have received a bonus. The Department continues to encourage all who believe they may qualify to apply and allow a service counselor to review each individual situation.
Source Documents
1. DD 214 (8-09), Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and/or DD 215 (8-09), Correction to DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
2. Personnel record or enlistment or reenlistment document recording original expiration of service date.
3. Approved retirement/transfer to the Fleet Reserve memorandum or orders establishing retirement prior to actual date of retirement as stipulated in DD 214 or DD 215.
4. Approved resignation memorandum or transition orders establishing a separation date prior to actual date of separation as stipulated on DD 214 or DD 215.
5. Signed documentation or affidavit from knowledgeable officials from the individual’s chain of command acknowledging separation/deployment, etc.
6. Revocation of retirement or separation orders.
Disaster Relief Grants Available for Minnesota Veterans and Families
As a result of recent tornadoes and storms, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is offering Disaster Relief Grants for reimbursable expenses to Veterans in 16 Minnesota counties.
All eligible applications and copies of receipts must be dated between disaster timeframe, as designated by the Governor and/or FEMA.
Expenditures must be made no earlier than July 1, 2011, and applications must be sent to MDVA and postmarked no later than Sept. 30, 2011.
More information
2011 Veterans Day on the Hill
The Veterans Day on the Hill for 2011 was held Tuesday, February 15, 2011 starting at 9:30 am in the Capitol Rotunda. The event was sponsored by the Minnesota Commanders' Task Force (MN CTF), United Veterans Legislative Council of Minnesota (MN UVLC) and the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers (MACVSO). Visit one of their websites for more details.
LinkVet
The Veterans Linkage Line (LinkVet) is a toll free, one stop customer service line and website for all Minnesota veterans and their families. The service connects Veterans and their families to important services and resources.
Calls are answered Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Veterans can call LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838) and TTY at (800) 627-3529.
Counselors from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, for immediate crisis intervention. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans/FAQs.aspx for Veteran specific information.
The website (www.minnesotaveteran.org) is a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) format allows users to enter questions or search topics based on their specific needs. Users are also able to create personalized accounts that will allow them to track topics and resources of interest. For example, if the user has questions about education benefits for Veterans, they can choose to be alerted anytime there is an update or a change related to that topic. Users also have the ability to chat online with staff and provide immediate feedback to help improve the site’s usability.
More information
MDVA E-mail Newsletters
The MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs offers e-mail lists to keep you informed of veteran issues in Minnesota. There are five topics:
- Minnesota Legislative Issues - Newsletters containing information on legislative issues related to Minnesota Veterans.
- Events - Newsletters containing information on events for Minnesota Veterans.
- MDVA Newsletter - A monthly newsletter from the MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs about veteran issues.
- Flag at Half-Staff - Notification when the flags at the Minnesota Capitol are lowered to half-staff.
- News Flash - Press releases and other news items related to Minnesota veterans.
Sign-up for the e-mail newsletters
"Serving You Better" Survey
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has launched “Serving You Better,” a survey to assist the Department better understand how Minnesota Veterans use MDVA’s services and programs and to help
the Department better serve Veterans and their families.
The online survey is short and anonymous. Veterans, current service members and families are encouraged to participate. To take the survey visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org and click on the “Serving You Better Survey” button.
CVSO Enhancement Grant
The fiscal year 2011 County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Enhancement Grant is now on-line.
More information
Minnesota Veterans 4 Veterans (V4V) Trust Fund
A trust fund called "MN Veterans 4 Veterans Trust Fund" has been established. The goal of the trust fund is to help Minnesota
Veterans integrate into
society and lead healthier,
independent lives by funding
recreational, employment, health,
education and social programs for
veterans, their families and
caregivers. Applications for grants are now being accepted.
More information
Minneapolis VA Medical Center Medical Foster Home Program
The Minneapolis VA Medical Center is pleased to announce the development of the Medical Foster Home Program to reach the growing needs of the veteran population.
The program offers a safe, long-term, home-like environment and an economical housing alternative for veterans who are unable to remain in their own homes because of health issues.
More information
Program Update - Dec 22, 2009
Is the new Post-9/11 GI Bill right for you?
Find out more at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/step-by-step.htm
Minnesota Service C.O.R.E.
Minnesota Service C.O.R.E. is a new, nation-leading program designed to bring essential, community-based services directly to veterans, military members and their families across Minnesota at no cost to them. Due to its unique structure, this program will also provide resources to previously underserved rural areas around the state.
More information
War Survivors Education Benefit
Information regarding the WAR SURVIVOR education benefit administered by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has been updated. Eligible spouses and children should read this information to see if they can apply for the program.
More information
Military and Unemployment Insurance
Information on applying for Unemployment Insurance such as when, how, amount of benefits, etc.
More information
Female Combat Veterans
What does it mean to be a female with combat experience? How have my military experiences affected me? How can I better deal with negative emotions? Come and join an opportunity for support and growth at the St. Paul Vet Center, Monday nights from 6 pm to 8 pm.
More information |
