County Veterans Service Offices have much to offer

By Missy Klatt

Are you a veteran or a family member of a veteran in need of help or answers? The Veteran Service Offices of Dunn and St. Croix Counties are here to help.

The office in Dunn County has a mission statement that reads as follows: “To provide assistance to Veterans and dependents with obtaining county, state, and federal benefits through advocacy, information and referral, and direct support.” Greg Quinn is the Veterans Service Officer at Dunn County. He along with his staff are always more than willing to help out. 

They can provide assistance regarding:

• Disability Compensation Claims (service-connected)

• Non-Service Connected Pension Claims

• Life Insurance

• Burial Benefits

• Widow’s Death Pension

• Dependents’ and Survivors’ Benefits

• Home Loans

• Vocational Rehabilitation

• Health Care

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Special Monthly Compensation

• Aid, Attendance and Housebound

• Request for Military Records

• Discharge Upgrade Info

• Information and Referral Assistance

• WI GI Bill

• Education benefits

• Post 9/11 G.I. Bill

• Dependents Education

• Vet Identifier

• Appeal of VA decisions

•Outreach for OIF/OEF veterans

• Health Care Grants

They can also help you sign up for an Honor Reward program where you can Receive discounts, promotions and other incentives at participating local businesses.

Likewise in St. Croix County they offer much of the same assistance. “It is our mission to assist Veterans and their families with State and Federal Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. We strongly encourage any and all applications to be completed at our office. Please contact our office at 715-386-4759 to schedule an appointment with a Veterans Affairs accredited staff member.”

The St. Croix office is headed up by Phillip Landgraf, Service Officer.

They also offer assistance for those who need transportation to Minneapolis VAMC. Call 715-386-4759 for more information. 

You can also sign up for the St. Croix County Veterans newsletter to find out what is impacting veterans in St. Croix County. 

The Dunn County Veterans Office is located at 3001 US Highway 12 East, Suite 116, Menomonie, WI. Their phone number is 715-232-1646 and their website is www.co.dunn.wi.us/veterans. The website provides many links for services mentioned above.

The St. Croix County Veterans Office is located at 1752 Dorset Ln, New Richmond, WI 54017. Their phone number is 715-386-4759 and their website is www.sccwi.gov/368/Veterans-Services. Their website provides links for Federal benenfits, state benefits as well as Pro Bono Legal Advice and a link for scholarships and memorial awards.

For those needing immediate crisis information, here are some phone numbers:

Veterans Crisis Line  – 1-800-273-8255, Press 1; Northwest Connections – 888-552-6642; Veteran Outreach and Recovery Program – 608-381-1525; Center for Veteran Issues – 715-559-9392