If you are interested in speaking to a member of our Human Resources team regarding employment opportunities with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, fill out our Job Interest Form to be contacted about available opportunities.
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For over 13 years, the award-winning Minnesota Military Radio (MMR) has been the forum for retelling the stories of Minnesota’s heroes. Retired Command Sergeant Major, Veteran and volunteer host Doug Wortham shares these stories which are carried on 65 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota in an effort to preserve the stories of our Veterans and keep listeners up to date on things happening at MDVA and in our Veteran Community here in Minnesota.
Coming up this week we meet with the Fargo VA Health Care System and learn about their Caregiver Support Program, discuss the various programs that the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon NE Metro offer and get an update from the Command Senior Enlisted Advisor.
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Minnesota Veterans affected by recent flooding may now apply for a Disaster Relief Grant through the State Soldiers Assistance Program from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
On July 25, 2024, Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 24-09, amending Executive Order 25-05, which authorizes MDVA to activate the State Soldiers Assistance Program (SSAP) Disaster Relief Program to provide financial assistance to Veterans following severe storms and flooding across the state. Eligible Veterans would have experienced flooding from June 16 to July 22, 2024.
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Nov. 23 is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, a day designated by Congress for those affected by suicide to come together for healing and support. It falls on the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year as the holidays are often a difficult time for suicide loss survivors.
You can participate in Survivors of Suicide Loss Day by:
- Attending a local even within your community.
- Connecting with others who have experienced a suicide loss.
- Raising awareness about suicide prevention and the importance of providing support to survivors of suicide.
- Honoring your loved one by lighting a candle in remembrance of them.
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Learn more about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day or find an event near you at AFSP Minnesota.
Many Veterans seek support and help with filing VA benefits claims for the payments they deserve. Be cautious of "claim predators" - unaccredited companies or individuals targeting Veterans' benefits for profit.
How to identify claim predators:
- Charging High Fees: Predatory companies charge absurd fees or require you to pay a portion of your VA benefits. Never pay anyone a fee to file an initial claim for benefits.
- Making Dishonest Promises: Don't trust anyone who claims they can help accelerate the claims process and obtain a 100% disability benefits evaluation. Remember, only VA has the authority to determine disability ratings.
- Requiring Binding Contracts: No one should ever charge a fee to file an initial claim for VA benefits. Never sign a contract agreeing to pay an unauthorized individual/company a percentage of your benefit payment in exchange for help with your VA claim.
Learn more about VA accredited representatives >>
Sadly, an average of 100 Minnesota Veterans die by suicide each year. Two-thirds of these deaths are by guns.
To help prevent Veteran suicide, MDVA is partnering with the VA Healthcare System to distribute free gun locks. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a locked gun can mean the difference between a tragic outcome and a life saved for someone in crisis. Though Veterans are well-versed in firearm safety, all gun owners should understand that during emotional or stressful times, delaying access to a gun could mean the difference between life and death. Gun locks can prevent someone in crisis from tragically taking their own life.
In an effort to reduce these preventable tragedies, MDVA is offering free gun locks. To request a gun lock, please email [email protected] with your name and address. This information will not be shared; requests are confidential.
For more information on MDVA’s suicide prevention efforts, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/EndVetSuicide.
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions the VA presumes are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is spreading awareness to families of deceased Veterans on reporting a Veteran’s death, available benefits for survivors, and protecting against posthumous scams.
Survivors may be eligible for benefits such as VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or survivors pension. Family members should report the death of a Veteran as soon as possible to stop current benefits. If the death is not reported promptly, survivors or executors of the Veteran’s estate may have to repay any overpayments received.
To report the death of a Veteran:
Calling is the fastest way to report the death of a Veteran so VA will stop benefit payments, but there are other options available for reporting.
- By Phone: Call VA 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711) and select 5. Agents are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
- In Person: Go to a VA regional office. Find the nearest VA regional office.
- By Mail: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444. Include your relationship to the Veteran and any supporting documents that can help us verify the Veteran’s identity. Examples of supporting documents are:
- o Death certificate or other public record of the Veteran’s death
o Discharge document (like a DD214)
- If you report in person at a VA regional office or by mail, provide copies of:
- Death certificate or other public record of the Veteran’s death
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Discharge document (like a DD214)
Provide as much information as you can when you first report the notice of death to VA. While you don’t have to have everything, VA will need as much information as possible to help verify the Veteran’s identity. This information includes:
- Full name
- Social Security number or VA claim number
- Date of birth
- Date of death
- Branch of service
VBA views your organization as vital to helping share this information with survivors. VBA plans to collaborate through various communications and engagement channels, such as briefings, social media posts and blog articles but would appreciate your organizations partnership in sharing this critical information to Veterans and Survivors to prevent fraud in a time of grieving..
Best practices to avoid posthumous scams are (for the Survivor):
- Save important files such as the Veteran’s military service/treatment records, discharge papers, and copies of their VA claims.
- Go to VA.gov - For guidance on creating an account and obtaining a VA security PIN to securely access benefit information. A VA Security PIN is an additional way to secure direct deposit accounts from theft and protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
- Never give out PII via text and be cautious of suspicious hyperlinks or unfamiliar hyperlinks.
- If a survivor is missing a VA benefits payment, identifies a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with their direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 800-827-1000.
- Review all documents thoroughly. Survivors should never sign a blank form for someone else to complete later. They should always review the completed form before signing and retain a copy of the completed form for their records.
- For protection against identity theft scams, notify the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and notify the Veteran’s financial institutions so all accounts can be closed or transferred appropriately.
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According to AARP, scammers also use names published in obituaries to pretend to be long lost relatives of the deceased. When it’s time to write your loved one’s obituary, leave out the birthdate, middle name, home address, birthplace, and mother’s maiden name.
- To report a missing VA benefits payment, please call the VBA National Call Center at 800-827-1000. You may also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission if funeral homes charge to set up funeral honors or schedule a burial with VA’s National Cemetery Administration by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- For other scams predators use, visit www.VA.GOV/VSAFE.
The Veterans Crisis Line's number—988 then Press 1—helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.
Veterans can use this option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number—1-800-273-8255 and Press 1—by text (838255), and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
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If you know of a Veteran-related community event happening in your area you would like to submit to be included in our Friday Digest, please email all event information to [email protected] for consideration.
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