Due to the historically wet weather patterns Minnesota experienced, Governor Walz amended his original peacetime emergency declaration after President Biden approved a major disaster declaration. The new executive order authorized the activation of the State Soldiers Disaster Relief Program.
I am providing an extremely abbreviated overview of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ (MDVA) Disaster Relief Grant Guidelines. It is implied there is additional information and caveats to what is being provided.
MDVA will accept applications for reimbursement or direct payment of expenditures dated no earlier than June 16, 2024, and work must be completed by August 31, 2025. Funding for the Disaster Relief Program is limited; therefore, grants will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted until the authorized funding is exhausted or until November 30, 2024, whichever occurs first.
As of 7/15/2024, the following counties are eligible: Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Murray, Nobles, Pipe-stone, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan. The Disaster Relief Grant is intended to reimburse Veterans for costs associated with the repair and recovery of their primary (homesteaded) residence and property. . The Veteran must be the owner of the property in which repairs were made or must show that they were responsible for the repairs or recovery per their lease agreement.
Reimbursement is the fastest method of receiving disaster relief grant funding. Individuals must have expended funds on an approved expense. They must then submit receipts and proof of payment with application. MDVA will reimburse eligible applicants directly in an amount up to $500.
Direct payment to a contractor/vendor is an option and this method will take longer. If found eligible we will issue an approval letter authorizing an amount up to $500. The contractor/vendor must agree to perform the work first and bill the MDVA directly upon completion. MDVA only authorizes funds for payment for performed services.
The following is a list of allowable expenditures covered under the 2024 Disaster Relief Grant. The items listed are not exhaustive but meant to be used as examples. Major appliances: water heater, furnace, refrigerator, and washer/dryer. Building materials: sheetrock, carpet, and tile. Cleaning supplies: fans, detergents, shovels, dehumidifiers, and dumpster rentals. Rental costs for construction equipment: generators, water pumps, and skid loader. Shelter costs if displaced by the flood: hotel and other rental costs. Licensed contractor costs:
labor and material costs. Insurance deductibles: must show incurred expenses related to insurance deductibles. If you have any questions regarding the Disaster Relief Program, please contact your County Veterans Service Officer or Link Vet at 1-888-Link Vet (546-5838).
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
