Attention Minnesota Veterans! Pose questions now and federal, state and community experts will post answers starting at 2PM CDT, October 26

8.51K

Ask a question now and experts from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and the community will provide answers at 2PM CDT, Oct 26th.

You can ask questions to the following experts:
SSG Bradley Lindsay, Deputy Commissioner at MDVA
HN Ron Quade II, Director of Veterans Service at MDVA
PO1 Dave Bellefeuille, Director of Veterans Education and Employment at MDVA
SFC Andrew Garvais, Director of Veterans Programs and Memorial Affairs at MDVA
Lt Col Kurt Thielen, Associate Director/COO, Minneapolis VAHCS
Elizabeth Morris, Congressional Liaison, St. Paul Veterans Service Center
SGT Jeanine Solberg, Outreach Specialist, St. Paul
Stanley Walton, Outreach Specialist, VBA Saint Paul Regional Benefits Office
Allison Adams Alstrin, Project Manager, Minnesota Military & Veteran Exchange
Cpl Timothy Tackett, Congressional Liaison, VBA St. Paul Regional Benefits Office
Denise White, Rating Quality Review Specialist, Pension Management Center
PO1 Jose Tarnowski, Legal Administrative Specialist, VBA St. Paul Regional Benefits Office
MSgt Brian Koeltzow, Legal Administrative Specialist, St. Paul Regional Office
1stSgt (Join to see), Rating Quality Review Specialist, St. Paul Pension Management Center
MSgt Paul Pedersen, Senior Case Manager, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

Posted in these groups: 09e1d741

Minneapoolis Minnesota ARNG B885f220

Camp Ripley 4724bb16

Minneapolis-Saint Paul ARS 1a0ea6da

St. Paul

Follow this discussion

Responses: 17

SSG Bradley Lindsay

Posted >1 y ago

The best local resource for Minnesota Veterans is our County Veterans Service Officers. They are "boots on the ground" in your local community and are certified by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance in applying for all state and federal veterans benefits. Find yours by going to: https://www.macvso.org/find-a-cvso.html

Find a CVSO

Did you know that by statute every county in the State of Minnesota shall hire a County Veterans Service Officer? The County Veteran Service Officers of Minnesota are here to ensure that all Veterans, their families and survivors receive all of the benefits and services they so well deserve for the hardships they have endured.

(6)

Comment

(0)

CPO Bob Mortenson

Posted >1 y ago

Thanks to all Minnesota Veterans and Family Members for being here today. We have a great many dedicated and highly knowledgeable subject matter experts here today from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, the federal VA (including from both health care and benefits) and from the Community. Please fire away with your questions or concerns!

(4)

Comment

(0)

SPC John Mattson

Posted >1 y ago

how do I get a pass for the state parks & also how do I apply for my property tax to be waived. I am rated at 100% disabled. I am also not to good on the computer but I'm trying to learn

(4)

Comment

(0)

MSgt Ron Woolery

>1 y

For Minnesota State Parks, go into the office at any Park and show you VIC Card from the VAMC. To apply for your property Tax exemption, your best bet is to talk to your County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO). If you do not know yours (and you should as they are a big help) you can find them here: https://www.macvso.org/find-a-cvso.html

Find a CVSO

(3)

(0)

SPC John Mattson

>1 y

Thank-you MSgt.

(1)

(0)

Allison Adams Alstrin

>1 y

Join us for E2020 on Oct 29th. There will be a session by DNR as well as a session on MN Benefits covering these questions in detail Best to you!
https://www.accelevents.com/e/mnme2020

Event Page | Experience 2020

Experience 2020 is a rallying event for all MN military connected:(currently serving, prior service/Veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters)(

(2)

(0)

SFC Andrew Garvais

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

COVID-19 has affected everyone's life in some form. The MN Legislature has appropriated $6.2 million for us to help veterans who have had a negative financial impact due to COVID-19. If you have experienced reduced hours, been furloughed, been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have children who are in a hybrid or distance learning program you may be eligible for several of our programs. Visit http://minnesotaveteran.org/covidrelief to learn more!

ShieldSquare Captcha

Complete this task to confirm you are a human generating this request. Thank you!

(3)

Comment

(0)

PO1 Douglas Landsteiner

Posted >1 y ago

Is it true that beginning tax year 2021 Eligible widows receiving the Property tax evaluation exclusion benefit in the State of MN can transfer the benefit to another home if she moves?

(3)

Comment

(0)

SSG Bradley Lindsay

>1 y

Thanks for the question Mr. Landsteiner. The answer is "yes", a one-time transferability was part of legislation just signed by the governor.

(2)

(0)

Allison Adams Alstrin

>1 y

There will be sessions covering benefits and so much more this Thursday at a new MN event called E2020. Learn more here. https://www.accelevents.com/e/mnme2020
We hope you will join us so you can learn of many benefits and resources available to your and your family.

Event Page | Experience 2020

Experience 2020 is a rallying event for all MN military connected:(currently serving, prior service/Veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters)(

(1)

(0)

SSG Bradley Lindsay

>1 y

For more information on Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Property Tax Exclusion and other tax benefits of service, see: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/military-service-members

Military Service Members | Minnesota Department of Revenue

Minnesota offers many tax benefits to military members and their families.

(2)

(0)

SSgt Jeff Moore

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

I originally enlisted under the Vietnam era GI Bill, which guaranteed 100% educational benefit. I was Honorably discharged after 7 years, did a little Guard and Reserve time and then reenlisted to active duty. They took away my Viet era benefits and now I am over 13,000 in debt and have not seen a tax return in well over a decade. Is there any way to get back what I earned in my first enlistment?

(3)

Comment

(0)

PO1 Dave Bellefeuille

>1 y

Jeff, this is Dave with Minnesota Veterans Affairs. There are a few potential opportunities. You may be able to withdraw the funds you put into the Vietnam Era GI Bill (VEAP) by filling out and submitting VA Form 22-5281. Instructions and the address are on the form.

Secondly, if you are a Minnesota Veteran you may eligible for the Minnesota GI Bill. This program provide benefits up to $3000 per fiscal year and $10,000 lifetime. Go to http://www.mn.gov/mdva and click on the Education tab.

Unfortunately there are not any state or federal GI Bill programs that will pay for college that were completed a number of years ago. Typically MDVA and the VA will backdate for one year.

Department of Veterans Affairs / Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs - State of Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs runs Minnesota's five state Veterans Homes and assists Minnesota's over 300,000 Veterans and their dependents to obtain the benefits and services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

(5)

(0)

SSgt Jeff Moore

>1 y

PO1 Dave Bellefeuille - That's the point, the Viet era GI bill was "pay for education through service". There was no fund reserve, there were no conditions. If you served, the US would pay for your education. Remember this was the draft. I was a volunteer after the draft ended, but the Viet bill was still in motion.
This was the primary reason I dropped out of high school and enlisted, the selling point of the Viet era education promise.

(0)

Allison Adams Alstrin

>1 y

I hope you can find the support you need. Dave is a great resource. In addition, you might be interested in other resources available. We hope you will consider coming to E2020 this Thursday! https://www.accelevents.com/e/mnme2020 Learn more here!

Event Page | Experience 2020

Experience 2020 is a rallying event for all MN military connected:(currently serving, prior service/Veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters)(

(0)

Andi Martinez

Posted >1 y ago

Minnesota Veterans post your questions now!

(3)

Comment

(0)

SSgt Jeff Moore

>1 y

See my post about educational benefits. I originally enlisted under the Vietnam era GI Bill and was Honorably discharged after 7 years. I did some Guard and Reserve time and then reenlisted to active duty. They took what I had earned in my first enlistment and I am now well over 13K in debt for my education (Concordia University) and have not seen a tax return for Fed or state in well over a decade. Is there any way to get back what I earned and level the playing field as I move into retirement? Both of my discharges are Honorable, RE1J.

(1)

(0)

CPO Bob Mortenson

>1 y

SSgt Jeff Moore - Thanks for your dedicated service to our nation! We will have folks from the Veterans Benefits Administration starting to reply to questions at 2 PM today.

(0)

PO1 Dave Bellefeuille

>1 y

Jeff, this is Dave with Minnesota Veterans Affairs. There are a few potential opportunities. You may be able to withdraw the funds you put into the Vietnam Era GI Bill (VEAP) by filling out and submitting VA Form 22-5281. Instructions and the address are on the form.
Secondly, if you are a Minnesota Veteran you may eligible for the Minnesota GI Bill. This program provide benefits up to $3000 per fiscal year and $10,000 lifetime. Go to http://www.mn.gov/mdva and click on the Education tab.

Unfortunately there are not any state or federal GI Bill programs that will pay for college that were completed a number of years ago. Typically MDVA and the VA will backdate for one year.

ShieldSquare Captcha

Complete this task to confirm you are a human generating this request. Thank you!

(1)

(0)

SSG Bradley Lindsay

Posted >1 y ago

For a one-stop location to find information or ask questions on all your benefits as a Minnesota Veteran, please call, chat or visit our call center at LinkVet:
http://www.minnesotaveteran.org
Phone: 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838)
International: + [login to see]
TTY: [login to see]

ShieldSquare Captcha

Complete this task to confirm you are a human generating this request. Thank you!

(2)

Comment

(0)

Andi Martinez

Posted >1 y ago

Did you know that VA has a welcome kit and quick start guides to help you navigate VA services and benefits? https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/

Print out your VA Welcome Kit | Veterans Affairs

Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.

(2)

Comment

(0)

Andi Martinez

Posted >1 y ago

Check out State VA resources in Minnesota! https://mn.gov/mdva/resources/

Benefits and Resources / Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs - State of Minnesota

Benefits and Resources

(2)

Comment

(0)

Attention Minnesota Veterans! Pose questions now and federal, state and community experts will post answers starting at 2PM CDT, October 26

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.