Any veteran who has been financially hurt by COVID-19, now can apply for financial assistance. The Minnesota Legislature and Governor Walz have approved a one-time financial relief grant of $1,000 per veteran to counter the negative effects and economic impact COVID-19 has had on veterans and their families.

A total of $6.2 million has been set aside for this, and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to the length of existing funds.  

To qualify for the COVID-19 Special Needs Grant, applicants must be: A veteran or the surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of a deceased veteran as defined by MN Statute 197.447, and a Minnesota resident, and have been negatively financially impacted by COVID-19.

For more information or to apply for one of these grants, veterans should visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief or contact any of the St. Louis County Veterans Service Offices. Due to the current statewide stay-at-home order, veterans and families should call or email their County Veteran Service Officer before visiting an office in person.

Contact information for each office is: 

• Duluth: 218-725-5285

• Ely: 218-365-8203

• Hibbing: 218-262-6090

• Virginia: 218-749-7110

St. Louis County is home to more than 15,000 veterans. The Veterans Service Office acts as a liaison with various service organizations and other related agencies that assume an advocate role on behalf of veterans and their dependents.