Crow Wing County Veteran Services

Every Minnesota county appoints a veterans service officer (section 197.60; see the Minnesota entry). Crow Wing's page: "The Crow Wing County Veterans Service Office provides assistance and clerical support to veterans and their dependents with a diverse array of benefits and services. This includes claims assistance, benefit counseling, and advocacy. The Veterans Service Office can also assist in obtaining military discharges and documents. Assistance with discharge upgrades is also provided." Who and where. Veterans Service Officer Erik Flowers, assistant service officers Natalie Petersen and Travis Svoboda, and service specialist Kim Jensen ([email protected]). 204 Laurel Street, 1st Floor, Suite 14, Brainerd; 218-824-1058, toll free 866-507-1058, fax 218-824-1059; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. State money goes through the office. "All applications for SSAP must be made through the County Veterans Services": the State Soldiers Assistance Program's subsistence and special needs grants and its dental and optical help (the Minnesota entries). The office's 2025 report to the Board (February 24, 2026) counted $83,245 of those grants for 24 veterans, about 70% dental and optical vouchers, 20% special needs grants for housing and utilities and 10% subsistence; eight veterans helped to about $14,500 of housing help from the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans; and $1,650 of gas cards, $1,400 of grocery cards and more than $25,000 for car repairs, shut-off notices and home repairs from the American Legion, VFW, DAV and other local groups. The year in numbers (2025). 290 compensation claims, 100 supplemental claims, 26 survivors' (DIC) claims, 142 VA health care applications, 27 applications for the 100% and 24 for the 70% homestead market value exclusion, 1,698 office visits, 4,046 calls and 57 visits to veterans at home or in rural areas. The report warns about "claims sharks", for-profit firms charging for claims help that accredited officers give free. Help with moving. On September 22, 2026 the Board approved Resolution 2026-56, the Moving Veterans Forward partnership with Veteran Valor Farm, so the office can refer a veteran whose need the usual transport cannot meet - moving belongings into housing or treatment, or reaching benefits, identification or work - to the farm's vehicles and help. Ask the office; the medical rides have their own entry.