MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs Programs
The following are programs administered by the MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
Education Assistance
The State Soldier's Assistance Program (SSAP) provides educational benefits in the
form of a one-time grant to veterans who have exhausted their federal benefits,
and to war orphans of veterans who died as a result of a service connected injury
or disease.
More information
G.I. Bill
The Minnesota State Approving Agency’s (SAA) mission is to provide the administrative
oversight of the G.I. Bill’s Minnesota Education and Training Programs on
behalf of our veterans and other eligible persons. In Minnesota, there are more
than 200 institutions that are SAA approved and over 6,500 programs that are SAA
approved. In addition, there are over 50 SAA approved On-The-Job (OJT) and Apprenticeship
Training Programs.
More information
Higher Education Veterans Assistance Program
Provide assistance to veterans at all public and private higher educational institutions
in Minnesota via central liaison staff and campus veterans assistance officers.
More information
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) at www.mymilitaryeducation.org
Minnesota GI Bill
The Minnesota GI Bill program provides post secondary educational assistance to
eligible Minnesota veterans, and to the children and spouses of deceased or severely
disabled Minnesota Veterans.
More information at the
Minnesota Veteran website
Financial Assistance
The State Soldier's Assistance Program provides assistance to veterans who are unable
to work as a result of temporary disability. The assistance available is in the
categories of:
- Personal needs grants:
- Cash assistance:
- shelter payments (rent and mortgage)
- utilities
- Special needs
More information
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) at www.mnveteranbenefits.org
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 from Monday to 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.
C.O.R.E. counselors will continue to provide service 24 hours a day seven
days a week, including holidays, for immediate crisis intervention and psychological
counseling. Veterans can call LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838), International
+1 (651) 556-0596 and TTY at (800) 627-3529.
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
Military Funeral Honors
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and the Minnesota Army National
Guard (ARNG) Military Funeral Honors Coordinator are committed to ensuring veterans
receive proper military funeral honors to commemorate their service to the Nation
and to assist Veterans Service Organizations in their efforts to provide these honors.
A stipend is available to congressionally chartered veterans service organizations
who meet the requirements.
Legislation passed in 2010 provided for $100,000 in funding to continue the Military
Funeral Honors program at the state level. This program helps ensure that veterans
receive proper military funeral honors to commemorate their service to the nation,
by assisting Veterans Service Organizations in their efforts to provide these honors.
More information
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
State Veterans Cemetery
The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery is located in Little Falls, MN
More information
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) at www.mnveteranclaim.org
Tribal Veteran Service Officer (TVSO)
The MDVA Tribal Veterans Services Officer initiative began in 2007 with the cooperation
of Governmental and Tribal agencies, the Governors office, legislators and the Minnesota
Native American Nations. The purpose of the TVSO program is to provide services
to a targeted group of traditionally under-served individuals located on Minnesota's
Native American Reservations.
Historically, Native Americans serve in the military at a higher than average rate
per capita and yet received benefits at a lower percentage rate. Working with veterans
in areas such as Red Lake and Grand Portage, MDVA staff recognized a need for culturally
connected service representatives, leading to the development of this program.
With most of the hiring process completed, training MDVA’s new team members
is a priority! Immediately upon employment a TVSO begins a comprehensive training
schedule beginning with basic training. Their initial training includes a full overview
of veterans benefits, in-depth training on compensation and pension, information
providing solid points of contacts for veterans benefits and direct- on-the-job
training with experienced senior claims representatives. A second session of advanced
basic training is offered to ensure TVSOs have the required veterans benefits knowledge
and skills.
Tribal veterans are already using this service at a steady rate and MDVA’s
Claims, Outreach, Fargo and Central Office Divisions are working with this initiative
to ensure its success. For more information on this program contact Jim Miller,
Tribal Veteran Officer Supervisor at
James.Allan.Miller@state.mn.us.
More information:
Veterans Homes
The mission of the Veterans Homes is to oversee and guarantee high-quality health
care for veterans and dependents in its care. This commitment is demonstrated by:
- Targeting services to veterans with special needs.
- Supporting research and education in geriatrics and long-term care.
- Providing a therapeutic environment that encourages resident independence, respects
individuality and promotes self-worth and well being.
- Continuous evaluation of care and services to be responsive to changing needs.
- Managing the Veterans Homes with honesty, integrity, and cost effectiveness.
- Recognizing employees for their contributions.
- Working cooperatively with the medical communities.
More information:
Veterans Preference in Employment
The Minnesota Veterans Preference Act (VPA) grants most veterans a limited preference
over non-veterans in hiring and promotion for most Minnesota public employment positions.
The Minnesota VPA Statutes apply to Minnesota public employment, “civil service
laws, charter provisions, ordinances, rules or regulations of a county, city , town,
school district, or other municipality or political subdivision of this state.”
More information
Women Veterans Program
The mission of the Minnesota Women Veterans program is to ensure women veterans
have equitable access to federal and state benefits and services. The program ensures
response to the gender specific needs of women veterans and that women veterans
are treated with dignity and respect.
More information
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Veterans Linkage Line: 1-888-LinkVet (1-888-546-5838). LinkVet is a toll-free, one-stop customer service line for all Minnesota veterans.
Minnesota Veteran Homes Compliance Line: English speaking (800) 273-7614. Spanish speaking (800) 216-1288. Website
