County Benefits
MCLEOD COUNTY VETERANS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
The McLeod County Veterans Transportation program is supported by, and dependent on, donations from numerous service organizations throughout McLeod County, as well as by individual veterans and members of the community. Veterans who are unable to use our ambulatory vans may reserve our handicapped accessible van. The handicapped accessible van includes a wheelchair for your use throughout your visit to the VA Medical Centers, unless you prefer to use your own.
The McLeod County Veterans Vans pick up at the Veterans home or another designated location in McLeod County and go to the following facilities:
Vans are reserved on a "First Come, First Served" basis, so call as soon as you learn of appointments.
Call McLeod County Veteran Services at 320-864-1268 or send an email to mcleod.veterans@co.mcleod.mn.us to schedule your van ride!
McLeod County Handicapped Veterans Van
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MCLEOD COUNTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION ASSISTANCE FUND-
What is the McLeod County Veterans Association?
- A Charitable Organization recognized under MN Statute (501c19)
- All the veteran organizations in McLeod County are represented
- 8 American Legion Posts
- 1 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter
- 3 Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts
What does the Association do?
The initial purpose was to raise funds and provided oversight and input to the Veterans Van transportation program created to assist local veterans in getting to and from their appointments at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in St Cloud and Minneapolis and also the VA’s Regional Office at Fort Snelling.
Its expanded role is to be a conduit for the passing of general information of interest to local veterans from the County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) and between the various veteran organizations. It also provides inputs to the VSO concerning recommendations to the County Board of Commissioners on veteran issues.
Most recently, the association created an Assistance Fund to provide augmentation to the emergent needs of local veterans, active duty service members, drilling members of the reserve components and their families that might not be covered by existing federal, state or local assistance programs.
How does the Assistance Fund work?
- Veterans or currently serving members of the military are referred to McLeod County Veteran Services.
- Specific emergent needs are identified.
- Referrals and/or applications to a variety of federal, state and local assistance programs are made as appropriate to the situation.
- If no program matches are found, Veteran Services uses the information already obtained to complete an application for Association assistance not to exceed $1,000. Telephonic approval of a majority of the association’s designated representatives or commanders (7 of 12) is obtained and the Association Chair approves disbursement of funds directly to providers or vendors (not the applicant).
What are the types of assistance that have been provided in the past?
- Emergency vehicle repairs
- Rent payments
- Utility payments
- Emergency heating system repairs
- Emergency travel expenses
How does someone apply for help or donate to this Fund?
Contact the nearest local veteran organization or McLeod County Veteran Services at 320-864-1268.
VETERANS BENEFITS PUBLIC SELF-HELP STATION-
In an effort to assist local veterans in accessing online information concerning their veteran entitlements, McLeod County Veteran Services has set up a public computer workstation for use by veterans who do not have access to a computer at home or need assistance with navigating the myriad of veteran benefits websites. The public work station is located in the Veteran Services office at the county administrative building, north of Glencoe. Veterans can stop by during regular business hours to research and apply for veteran benefits on their own, on a first come, first serve basis. Staff will be available to assist in navigating the different veteran websites and to answer questions as needed.
McLeod County Veteran Services has been patiently waiting to provide this new and much needed capability to local veterans. Many of the popular veteran benefits websites are setup on this public workstation so they can be accessed with a simple click from the desktop.
And many others, to include Department of Defense information sites and Veteran organizations information sites.
Assistance is available to navigate to the veteran’s specific needs. With the rest of the world going digital, McLeod County Veteran Services believes this new option will assist veterans who are not quite ready to take the step into the digital world on their own.
For more information or to schedule your first time block, contact McLeod County Veteran Services at 320-864-1268.
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