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Beltrami County veteran services reports surge in outreach, details mobile claims unit and benefits work
Summary
County Veteran Services reported 2,650 veterans in Beltrami County, an average of 42 daily appointments plus 53 walk‑ins, about $430,000 returned to veterans so far this year and robust outreach by a mobile claims unit that met roughly 960 people since May 2025.
James Gustason, County Veteran Services, told the Beltrami County board the office is managing a growing caseload and expanding outreach through a mobile claims unit.
Gustason said the county’s veteran population is 2,650, according to the 2025 GDX maintained by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. He said the office averages about 42 appointments per day and 53 unscheduled walk‑ins, and that the office has returned roughly $430,000 to veterans and surviving spouses so far this year. "Those dollars go straight to the veteran or straight to the spouse," Gustason said.
Gustason described increases in new claims and secondary‑condition work, and said staff are spending more time on claim development and research to ensure decisions are accurate. He flagged a recurring problem with third‑party medical exam providers contracted by the VA, saying some examinations are inadequate and that the office often requests new exams when necessary, which can extend processing time but is needed to protect claim accuracy.
The county’s mobile claims unit, launched in May 2025, completed about 30 events and met roughly 960 individuals during its initial run; Gustason said the unit has already met about 465 people since January as it resumed regular Friday schedules. Relaying feedback from a Kelliher veteran, Gustason said the local outreach changed that veteran’s view of the service: "I back this 100%," he said the veteran told him.
On financial supports, Gustason said the office has put together veterans relief grants totaling $20,000 from the state this year to prevent homelessness, and reported direct support from local partners (DAV, VFW, M*A*C*V and Churches United) totaling about $32,000 so far in the year for needs such as propane or food.
Gustason also updated the board on the Bemidji Veterans Home: it had 41 residents at the time of the report and 125 staff members; state rules and repairs (an Itasca household closure for water damage) limit immediate expansion, and the home is advertising for nursing staff. He said leadership hopes to reach 50 residents by the end of June but cited staff shortages—especially registered nurses—as the primary constraint.
Gustason and the board discussed regional interest in duplicating the mobile claims unit, but smaller counties told staff it is a resource‑intensive model. Gustason said he has offered to collaborate for specific events but would not permanently release the county’s unit to another county.
On transportation funding, staff explained the county did not meet the formula threshold used for a federal rural transport grant (the county’s density was 15.1 residents per square mile vs. the 7/resident threshold), which limits eligibility for a larger $7 million funding opportunity; Gustason offered to gather more details about whether tribal/reservation applicants could participate separately.
The board did not take formal action on Gustason’s report but thanked him for the update and for the work to prevent veteran homelessness and expand outreach.
