Veteran Benefits in Minnesota
Minnesota VA benefits are overseen by the state Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), an organization working to connect servicemembers and their families with the many programs and services available to them.
These veterans benefits include homelessness prevention, financial assistance, Veterans Homes and employment resources. Other veterans assistance programs include education assistance, funeral benefits and memorials. Additionally, federal veterans administration benefits include health care, disability compensation and pension programs. To learn more about benefits for veterans in MN, including how to apply for these benefits, review the sections below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Minnesota
Veterans may apply for VA disability pay if they have service-related disabilities, including general compensation, Dependency and Indemnity (DIC) or Special Monthly (SMC).
To apply for VA disability benefits in Minnesota, veterans must complete an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (Form 21-526EZ) and submit the form along with medical evidence to support the claim.
To apply for DIC or SMC disabled veterans benefits, service members must complete VA Forms 21-534EZ or 21-2680.
Additionally, veterans may apply for VA life insurance, including Servicemembers’ Group Life (SGLI), Veterans’ Group Life (VGLI) or Family Servicemember’s Group Life (FSGLI).
Other veterans life insurance policies include Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI), Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI) and Veterans’ Mortgage Life (VMLI).
When enrolling in life insurance for veterans, applicants must complete the following applications:
- SGLI – complete SGLV 8286
- VGLI – complete SGLV 8714
- FSGLI – complete SGLV 8286A
- TSGLI – complete SGLV 8600
- S-DVI – complete VA 29-4364
- VMLI – complete VA 29-8636
Note: To receive disabled veteran life insurance application assistance, contact an MDVA claims office at 612-970-5662 or 701-451-4641.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Minnesota
Federal VA health care in Minnesota is available to eligible servicemembers who meet minimum qualification requirements. Military members who qualify for VA health insurance receive benefits, such as preventative and emergency care, inpatient hospital services, mental health treatments and home health care.
To apply for VA medical benefits in MN, veterans may contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-877-222-8387 to enroll by telephone, or they may visit a local VA medical facility to apply in person.
Alternately, servicemembers may apply for veterans health insurance online through the eBenefits website or by completing an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) and mailing it to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
After enrolling in health insurance for veterans, servicemembers receive access to state programs such as the Women Veterans Program, local health resources, and the five Veterans Homes in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Minnesota
Veterans may apply for VA pension in Minnesota if they meet income, age and/or disability requirements.
As such, servicemembers may apply for veterans pension by completing an Application for Pension (Form 21P-527EZ) or they may apply for survivor payments by completing an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (Form 21P-534EZ).
Additional VA pension benefits include Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound allowances. To apply for these veterans pension benefits, servicemembers must first enroll in the VA pension program before mailing medical evidence to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attention: St. Paul Pension Center P.O. Box 5365 Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Note: Additional benefits include the state’s Special Needs Grant and Subsistence program. To apply for a one-time Special Needs Grant or to enroll in the Subsistence program, veterans must contact their local Veteran Service Officer, or they may call 1-888-546-5838.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Minnesota
Several Minnesota VA housing benefits are available under the MDVA, as well as through the VA, including veterans housing assistance for homeless military members.
MN VA housing assistance includes access to the state’s five Veterans Homes for servicemembers and their spouses in need of long-term medical care. To apply for admittance into one of these programs, service members must complete an Admission Application and submit it directly to the Veteran Home of their choice.
Veterans rental assistance is available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s VASH program. Other programs include the following:
- SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR)
- The Minnesota Homeless Veteran Registry
- Keys for Heroes
- The National Call Center on Homeless Veterans
- Minnesota Operation for Veterans Empowerment (MOVE)
- The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V)
VA home loan and mortgage servicing and delinquency assistance also exists to help veterans. To learn more about VA home loan rates or to learn more about preventing foreclosures, contact the Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Minnesota
Several VA education benefits in Minnesota are available to eligible servicemembers and their dependents, including the Surviving Spouse and Dependent Education Benefit, Veteran Education Assistance and additional benefits under the GI bill, Montgomery bill or Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP).
To apply for these veterans education benefits, students must complete the following applications:
- An Application for MDVA Surviving Spouse/Dependent Education Benefit (MDVA-3) OR a Renewal Application (MDVA-3A)
- An Application for Minnesota Veteran Education Benefit (MDVA-2)
Note: To obtain post 911 GI bill benefits, service members must complete an Application for Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990). Additionally, the Montgomery GI bill is available to eligible applicants earning an approved certificate, undergraduate or graduate degree. To apply, veterans must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Veterans may also receive VA GI bill benefits while completing an apprenticeship or certification program. In this case, students must complete a License & Certification Application (MNGIBILL2) or an OJT/Apprenticeship form.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Minnesota
To help service members find Minnesota VA jobs assistance, the MDVA partners with the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to provide veterans with several useful resources.
These veteran jobs resources include Workforce Centers, apprenticeships and on-the-job training (OJT). Additionally, servicemembers can find jobs for veterans online through the DEED website.
If servicemembers cannot find suitable jobs for vets after leaving the military, they may qualify for unemployment insurance benefits.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Minnesota
VA death benefits in MN include burial options at two state cemeteries, including the facilities in Preston and Little Falls.
These VA burial benefits are available to eligible servicemembers and their spouses. Furthermore, veterans death benefits include the gravesite, pre-placed grave liner, headstone and perpetual care. Additional allowances may apply.
To pre-register for veterans burial benefits, applicants must visit the cemetery or a county Veterans Service Office to obtain an application.