Olmsted County Veterans Services
The Olmsted County Veterans Services assists veterans, their dependents, and survivors with attaining federal, state and local benefits. These benefits include service connected disability compensation, non-service connected pensions, education benefits, medical benefits, assistance with housing and employment, memorial and burial programs, and financial assistance for those veterans or families in financial crisis. This includes assistance enrollment in VA Health Care Benefits.
In addition, veterans may be assisted with delivery of durable medical equipment, accessibility tools, and prosthetics through the DAV Donor Connect Program.
Veterans in Olmsted
The population of veterans in Olmsted County is rising. Currently there are 10,646 veterans living in the county.
2,812 veterans were served by Olmsted County Veteran Services through walk-in appointments or outreach operations in 2016.
In 2015,
Olmsted County Veterans received $20,728,100 in Service Connected Disability Compensation and non-service connected pension benefits.
Olmsted County veterans, survivors and dependents received a total of $40,546,993 in VA Federal Expenditures.
The Federal VA provided $15,157,040 in medical care to Olmsted County Veterans
2,038 patients were enrolled in VA health Care
Veterans received $3,718,974 in VA Educational Assistance Benefits
Financial Assistance
In 2016, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Local Veteran Service Organizations and non-profit entities provided a total of $138,398 in financial assistance to Olmsted County Veterans
Cooperating Organizations
The Olmsted County Veterans Services works with other organization that can also assist veterans. Those other organizations include:
- State Soldiers Assistance Program
- Minnesota Assistance Counsel for Veterans
- Disabled American Veterans Mayo/Hiawatha Chapter 28
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1215
- American Legion Post 92
- SE Minnesota Chapter of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Family Assistance
The Veteran Family Services Program serves currently enlisted, Active Duty, national Guard or E=Reserve service members and family members of veterans whom have served since 9/11. This service is provided through Family Service Rochester and they are able to assist in many areas including:
- Deployment or reintegration problems
- Parenting Concerns
- Financial Challenges
- Marriage or other family relationship issues
- Anxiety, PTSD, or Stress
Transportation to VA Medial Center
In 2016 The Olmsted County Veteran Services Office transported 886 veterans to and from needed VA Medical Center Appointments. Currently, three part-time drivers are employed to get veterans to and from appointments.
If You Need Assistance
If you are veteran and need assistance or you know a vet or a family member of a vet please contact the
Olmsted County Veteran Services
2100 Campus Drive SE, Rochester, MN
Tel 507.328.6355
www.co.olmsted.mn.us/cs/vets/Pages/default.aspx
The Olmsted County Veterans Services Staff:
Neil Doyle, Supervisor
Nathan Pike, Veteran Service Officer
Jennifer Shumaker, Veteran Services Officer
Karen Applen, Clerk Specialist II
You Can Help the Olmsted County Veterans The Van Transportation Program is dependent on donations. If you want to donate to the van, please contact the Veteran Service Office at the address above