Disaster relief grants available for veterans

SAINT PAUL -- Veterans affected by recent tornadoes and storms in Minnesota could be eligible for financial assistance for cleanup and repairs.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is offering disaster relief grants for reimbursable expenses to veterans in the following counties: Anoka, Brown, Isanti, Kanabec, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Pine, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Stearns, Wright and Yellow Medicine.

Veterans, their families and surviving spouses may be eligible for reimbursement assistance funds of up to $750 if they have not received other state or federal assistance associated with the July 1 storm.

Veterans and their families should contact their county veterans service officer to apply for a disaster relief grant, or call 1-888-LINKVET (546-5838) and staff will assist them with contact information for a county veterans service officer in their area.

All eligible applications and copies of receipts must be dated between the disaster time frame, as designated by the governor and/or the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Expenditures must have been made no earlier than July 1 and applications must be sent to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and postmarked no later than Sept. 30.