Federal Benefits

The Anoka County Veteran Service Office is available to assist Veterans, their dependents and survivors in applying for Federal VA benefits. Our County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) are trained yearly and maintain accreditation by the VA and many service organizations.

For more information or to apply for any of the benefits listed on this page, visit our office.

For a list of all Federal benefits available, see the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors Handbook (PDF).

Disability Compensation

Disability Compensation is a tax free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Compensation may also be paid for post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbation or illnesses. 

Pension

VA helps Veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income through the Veterans Pension benefit. Veterans Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime Veterans.

Survivor Benefits  

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service, members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease. Learn more about Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
  • The Survivors Pension benefit, which may also be referred to as Death Pension, is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased Veteran with wartime service. Learn more about the Survivors Pension.
  • Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) or Chapter 35 provides assistance for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships/on-the-job training, correspondence courses and other programs.

Health & Medical Care

Many options for health and medical care are available, including:  

  • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care website has many different programs available.
  • The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a comprehensive health care program for eligible spouses or widows in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries.
  • TRICARE has medical and dental programs for Active Duty members and retirees, their family members, and survivors registered in DEERS
  • My HealtheVet is VA’s online personal health record. It was designed for Veterans, active duty Service members, their dependents and caregivers. My HealtheVet helps you partner with your health care team. It provides you opportunities and tools to make informed decisions and manage your health care.

Education

The GI Bill and other education programs can help you pay for college tuition, on-the-job training, apprenticeships and more. 

Home Loans

VA helps Servicemembers, Veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners by providing a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy.

VA Home Loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies. VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services

You may receive help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services may be provided to assist Veterans in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment. 

Burial

Veterans Affairs has many programs to help with the cost of a veteran’s burial or funeral. 

Life Insurance

Veterans Affairs provides insurance benefits for veterans and service members who may not be able to get insurance from private companies because of the extra risks involved in military service, or a service connected disability.