Benefits Division Programs

State Soldiers Assistance Program Established in 1944 and provides assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors which includes: Subsistence (including Shelter & Utilities) Dental Optical Special Needs Education

Subsistence Provides cash assistance to veteran’s, their dependents and widows or widowers when the veteran is disabled. In addition to personal needs grants the department may pay: -Shelter Cost -Utilities -Health insurance premiums

OPTICAL & DENTAL Veterans, their dependents and widows or widowers who are Minnesota residents and who meet the income and asset limitations may qualify for optical and dental assistance.

Optical Assistance Limited to once per year -Veterans and dependants who qualify may receive up to $400 for an eye exam and prescription eyewear. (includes contact lenses). - Veterans and their dependents applying for optical assistance provide the name, address, and telephone number of the optical clinic where they are seeking the Optical Assistance.

Dental Assistance There are three (3) stages of the Dental Assistance program: 1)Routine - up to $1000 (includes exams, cleanings, fillings, single tooth extractions, crowns and bridges). 2) Extractions in Preparation for Dentures -up to $2000 Lifetime limit. 3) Dentures- up to $3000 Lifetime limit.

Special Needs Special Needs Grants are a once in a lifetime event and are granted on a case by case basis. Examples of assistance provided are: -Wheel Chair Ramps -Furnace Replacement -Delinquent Rent and Utilities

Education Veteran Education Program: A one time $750 grant is available for Minnesota veterans who have exhausted their federal resources. MDVA Surviving Spouse/Dependent Education Benefit: Is available to children & spouses of Minnesota residents who were killed in action or died of a service connected condition.

MDVA Surviving Spouse/Dependent Education Benefit Admission to Minnesota “institutions of university grade” (MNSCU – Minnesota State Colleges and Universities AND the University of Minnesota) free of tuition until a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent degree) has been obtained. A maximum payment of $ in any one fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). This amount may be used for fees, books & supplies, and/or room & board. At institutions where the free tuition part of the program does not apply, it may also be used toward tuition. This program may be used at a postsecondary educational institution located in the state that either (1) is operated by the state, or (2) is operated publicly or privately and, is determined by the office, maintains academic standards substantially equivalent to those comparable institutions operated in this state.

LINKVET LINE LINKVET( ) FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE NATION PROVIDES INFORMATION & REFERRALS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, & PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING 24/7.

Veterans Preference The Minnesota Veterans Preference Act grants veterans a limited preference over non- veterans in hiring and promotion, and also provides protection against unfair dismissals, demotions and layoffs.

STATE APPROVING AGENCY (SAA) State Approving Agencies (SAA’s) are authorized by Title 38 of the United States Code. Each state has a SAA that is responsible for the approval of education and training programs to ensure that each program meets the requirements of Titles 38 and 10 of the United States Code. For veterans to receive GI Bill education benefit payments, the education or training program in which they intend to enroll must be approved by the SAA. The SAA also provides continued program administrative oversight. MN SAA APPROVED PROGRAMS 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.

The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery The cemetery is located in Little Falls, MN and is operated by the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs. Qualified veterans and their dependents are eligible for burial in the cemetery.