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Veterans services reports more claims work, outreach and thousands in direct aid to county veterans
Summary
At the Feb. 25 Crow Wing County Board meeting, Veteran Service Officer Eric Flowers summarized 2024 work: increased outreach, thousands in direct assistance through SSAP and local partners, hundreds of tracked claims and one large retroactive award from an identified error in a prior VA decision.
Crow Wing County Veteran Service Officer Eric Flowers told the county board on Feb. 25 that his office expanded outreach and casework in 2024 and secured direct financial help for local veterans.
Flowers said the office handled 1,724 client visits in 2024, opened records for 233 veterans who had not previously used county services, conducted about 60 outreach events and helped veterans submit or correct claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Our mission is to set the standard of excellence in serving our veterans by fostering meaningful relationships, engaging in proactive outreach, providing high quality claims assistance, and delivering comprehensive education of VA benefits,” Flowers said.
The veteran services office reported several categories of financial and programmatic assistance: about $67,000 in State Soldier Assistance Program (SSAP) grants for 31 county veterans (roughly 70% used for dental and optical vouchers, 20% for special needs and 10% for subsistence), approximately $37,154 in housing assistance distributed through Minnesota Council for Veterans (MACV) applications to 16 veterans, about $37,000 used for car repairs, $1,075 in gas cards and $1,450 in grocery cards. The office said it processed 23 DIC (survivor) claims, 16 applications for 100% veteran property tax exemption and 18 applications for a 70% service‑connected property tax break; it also filed 49 VA health care applications.
Flowers described an office practice of “deep dives” into claims files rather than submitting surface-level applications. He said staff review every active claim at least once every one to two weeks and perform case reviews when a claim is complicated. That approach, Flowers said, helped identify a clear and unmistakable error in an earlier VA decision for one veteran; staff filed a supplemental claim that was granted and yielded about $114,000 in retroactive pay and higher ongoing monthly benefits for the veteran.
Flowers told commissioners the office prioritizes staff training and mentorship, sending personnel to state and national conferences and working regularly with partner agencies, including Morrison County Veteran Service Office, the Brainerd VA clinic, local veteran organizations and community services. He said those relationships help identify underserved veterans and connect them to benefits and emergency supports.
Commissioners asked clarification questions about whether weekly claim reviews were required by statute or policy; Flowers said the review cadence was an office practice he established. Commissioner Lee praised the effort and called setting a state standard “outstanding.” Flowers cautioned the board that claims processing problems at the VA persist even for well-documented submissions and said the office continues to use secure messaging and direct contacts with VA staff to resolve development problems.
The report included operational metrics and process changes the office has made, including formalizing appointment procedures and case‑management steps intended to improve outcomes for veterans. Flowers said the office will continue outreaches, training and close tracking of claims to maximize benefits for veterans and their families.
