Veteran’s Corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

I speak with countless veterans and always amazed at how many don’t know what benefits they can receive. Benefits can be on both the federal and state level.
What is a veteran? “A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” According to www.VA.gov. There are exceptions. If you are in basic training and permanently injure yourself. On active duty in the National Guard and being injured. Completing 20 years Guard service and or 180 days consecutive service. All these can qualify you for military benefits.
Federal benefits can include- home loans requiring zero down payment and often low interest rates. Most veterans qualify for this. Healthcare through the VA is offered to many classes of veterans. The services are offered free to very low costs to qualified veterans.
Educational benefits, most veterans will qualify for some of the many forms of GI Bill. The GI Bill has probably been the most successful and widely used of all the benefits.
Once again there are many variables about the types of benefits you can receive.
State benefits vary from state to state. MN veterans can call 1-888-Linkvet or MinnesotaVeteran.org for information and eligibility. I was surprised and even unaware of all the veterans programs the state of MN offers.
One currently is the post 911 service bonus and reads as follows “Minnesota Statutes 2021, section 197.79, includes three tiers of service bonuses: $600, $1,200, and $2,000. Receipt of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, or Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal is necessary to qualify for the $1,200 service bonus amount”.
It looks as if any veterans that served post 911 are eligible.
Another benefit the state offers is a property tax waiver for disabled veterans. This extends to homestead properties up to 400k in value. If you are 70% VA disabled you have to submit paperwork to County/City assessor’s office annually. If you are 100% a one time submission of paperwork is required.
Other benefits such as hunting, license plates, grants for school, employment and home improvements to qualified veterans.
ND Residents check out www.veterans.nd.gov or call 701 239-7165.
All Counties in MN and ND have County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO). These are people that can help you narrow down what benefits and resources you are eligible for.
Veteran’s benefits are earned, never given away, even if you did not see conflict. If the government wanted you there, they would have with zero hesitation put you there. Get what you’ve earned.

Send your veteran-related items to me at 11btwk@gmail.com.