Assistance
Veterans services
Our nationally accredited staff helps service members, veterans, survivors and family members efficiently navigate the Veterans Administration benefits system. You will work with veterans who are trained to help you get the federal, state and county benefits you’ve earned.
There are multiple ways to get help from our veterans services representatives.
- Complete an online intake form
- Email vetservices@hennepin.us
- Call 612-348-3300 and leave a voicemail
For the fastest response time, please include this information in your message:
- Veteran’s first and last name
- Veteran’s phone number
- Veteran’s city of residence
Include your information if it is different from the above.
You will be assigned to a veteran service representative based on your location. Your assigned representative will call you within three business days.
Find veteran-specific community resources on Hennepin Waypoint.
Get started accessing your benefits
Your appointed veterans services representative will guide you through the entire benefits process. If you would like to get started on your own in the meantime, you could:
- Request military discharge records
- Apply for military treatment records
- Enroll in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care
To check the status of a claim or appeal, call 1-800-827-1000 or visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Mental health and suicide prevention resources
Help is available for veterans with mental health needs. If you need assistance finding a resource, contact a veterans services representative at 612-348-3300.
Mental health crisis resources
Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to receive support during a mental health crisis.
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7, free, confidential support. Veterans can connect with a caring, qualified responder via phone, text or online chat.
- Phone: Dial 988 and press 1
- Text: 838255
- Chat online with a VA responder at the Veterans Crisis Line's website.
- TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 followed by 1-800-273-8255
Emergency suicide care and treatment
Free emergency care at VA and non-VA health care facilities is available for veterans in suicidal crisis. Veterans are encouraged to go to the nearest emergency department for immediate attention. Other costs may also be covered, including ambulance transportation and follow-up outpatient care for up to 90 days. Learn more and find out if you're eligible.
Mental health crisis mobile team
Veterans who are experiencing a mental health crisis in Hennepin County can receive free assistance 24/7 from the Cope mobile crisis team. Responders may come to you and help manage an immediate crisis, then connect you to additional supports. Call Cope at 612-596-1223.
Veterans Administration resources
Community Resource and Referral Center
The Community Resource and Referral Center provides in-person care, counseling and rehabilitation for veterans struggling with serious mental health issues.
Veteran centers
Veterans and their families face many adjustments upon returning from combat. Veteran centers offer individual and group counseling in areas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and drug assessment, and suicide prevention referrals. In addition to physical locations, mobile veteran center counselors and outreach workers offer these same services where you live or work. Find a location.
Minneapolis VA Health Care System
The Minneapolis VA Health Care System offers support and treatment for veterans who are experiencing challenges with mental health and addictions. Services are available at the Minneapolis VA and community clinics.
Military sexual trauma resources
Military sexual trauma is sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. It can happen to anyone in any branch of service. Military sexual trauma can have a lasting impact on mental and physical health.
Options for support are available.
Get support from a trained VA professional
Veterans who are experiencing mental and physical health issues related to military sexual trauma can receive free and confidential treatment from trained VA staff. A report or other documentation from when the assault or harassment occurred is not required. Military sexual trauma (MST) coordinators can help you access care.
Find a MST coordinator at your local VA health care facility
Get help filing a claim
Our staff can assist with filing a service-connected disability compensation claim through the Veterans Benefits Administration, as well as with sharing available counseling and treatment options through the VA Health Care network.
Start by contacting our office by phone or email.
Housing and chemical health resources
Veterans services representatives can help with resolving emergency situations.
Housing assistance
Housing resources to support staying where you are or finding a new place to live
Homelessness
Support for veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness provided in collaboration with the VA’s Community Resources and Referral Center, and other community partners
Chemical health
Referrals to assessment and treatment programs
Hennepin County Veterans Court
Hennepin County's Veterans Court serves veterans struggling with addiction, serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders.
We are seeking veterans to volunteer as mentors for 4th District Veterans Treatment Court participants. Apply to be a mentor.
Disability, pension, and property tax benefits
The disability and pension applications are the most complex in the VA system. Our veterans services representatives can help you access the benefits you're entitled to, as quickly as possible.
Disability compensation
A tax-free benefit paid to a veteran because of an injury or illness that happened while on active or reserve duty, or made worse by military service
Pension
Supplemental benefits to help eligible low-income veterans and their families cope with financial challenges
Veterans pension
For veterans with qualifying wartime dates of service
Survivors pension
For some family members of deceased veterans with wartime dates of service:
- Surviving spouse who has not remarried
- Unmarried children
Eligible veterans and survivors who are housebound or require the aid and attendance of another person may receive additional benefits.
Market value exclusion on homestead property
Reduces property tax burden by a set amount for:
- Permanently and totally disabled veterans, as determined by the VA
- Veterans with a 70 percent disability rating or higher, as determined by the VA
- Surviving spouses of veterans who received this exclusion
- Surviving spouses of service members who die while in active service
- Primary family caregivers of qualifying veterans
Homestead application and additional information for veterans
Medical and dental benefits
Veterans services representatives can help you enroll in free or reduced-cost medical and dental care from select providers. Your representative can coordinate these benefits with your insurance and other coverage.
Medical
Preventive, medical, rehabilitative and other services and programs you may not expect
Dental
Vouchers for low-income veterans and some dependents to cover routine care, extractions and dentures
Optical
Annual vouchers for low-income veterans and some dependents to cover eye exams and prescription eye wear, including contact lenses
Women’s health
Medical services from primary care to specialized care for chronic conditions and reproductive health
Burial assistance
Veterans services representatives can help you obtain burial benefits for veterans and eligible family members in federal, state or private cemeteries. The burial assistance program can assist with final expenses when families don’t have the resources to do so themselves.
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