News

From Boot Camp to Veteran

Saturday May 22, 2010, the St. Paul Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office will host the fifth annual "From Boot Camp to Veteran" conference and open house for women veterans. This event will be held from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Executive enter at the Mall of America, fourth floor.

"From Boot Camp to Veteran" offers women veterans the opportunity to learn about the resources an information available to them. Individual presentations will provide information regarding the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and the transition from soldier to veteran. Vendors who provide services to veterans and their families will be represented. Veterans may meet face-to-face with women's case managers from the Regional Office. The "Minnesota Woman Veteran of the Year" award will be presented.

The Todd County Veterans Service Office cordially extends an invitation to Todd County military female veterans and military spouses in recognition of National Military Appreciation Month in May.

It is our hope to charter a bus to the Mall of America if there is enough interest.  RSVP Contact: Todd County Veterans Service Office: Teresa Sorenson, Assistant Service Office; Phone #: 320-732-4418.

NO ADJUSTMENT IN COLA FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION + PENSION BENEFITS

As a result of negative inflation and the consumer price index going down over the past year the Social Security Administration has announced there will be no COLA in 2010 for Social Security recipients.  Under federal law VA's COLA's cannot exceed the Social Security COLA's. Therefore, VA is barred from making a COLA increase for recipients of its benefits.

The VA provides compensation and pension benefits to over 3.8 million Veterans and other beneficiaries.  Presently, the basic monthly rate of compensation paid to Veterans ranges from $123 to $2,673.  Annual income limits for disability pension begin at $11,830 for a Veteran without dependents and increase for Veterans who have dependents, who are housebound, or who need regular aid and attendance.
 
Veterans who have questions about their benefits may contact the VA's financial benefits toll-free number at 1-800-827-1000 or visit www.vba.va.gov/vba