Cass County is home to North Dakota's largest Veteran population with over 11,000 Veterans! We are your local resource for dedicated and professional assistance in obtaining federal and state veterans’ benefits. We provide the expertise and advocacy that Veterans and their families need to optimize their access to the benefits they earned.

Services we offer:

• Comprehensive benefits counseling
• Claims preparation and submission
• Claims follow-up to ensure final decisions
• Initiate and develop when appropriate
• Networking and advocacy with federal, state and local agencies
• Certification of discharge papers (DD-214) for filing claims with the VA.

 Information and referral for the following:

• Public assistance
• Defense Finance and Accounting Services
• Homeless issues
• Military Service Center

We are here to assist you with your benefits! When you arrive we will give you a benefits briefing where you will learn how we can help you apply for various benefits, programs, and services offered by the VA and the State of North Dakota.

What should you do if you are recently discharged, just moved to Cass County, or never applied for VA benefits?

• Complete our Intake Form
• Register your discharge or DD-214 with us
• Receive a VA and State veteran benefit briefing from us
• Bring in dependent information (e.g. marriage certificates, birth certificates, social security cards, spouse income information, death certificates, divorce papers, etc.)
• Get copies of your military and civilian medical records
• File your claim, if supported, with us.  Use our convenient Appointment Checklist to help you gather needed information. 
• Keep us up to date with any changes

We are here to help you navigate the VA claims and benefits process, provide expert advice and assist you throughout the entire process. The benefits are there, you earned them as a result of service to our Nation – let us help you get them!

VA Programs

Manage your benefits and healthcare at the redesigned VA.gov.  You can also learn how to apply for a Veterans ID Card. 

My HealtheVet is your tool for access to your healthcare records and helps you partner with your health care team. It provides you opportunities and tools to make informed decisions. Enroll in My HealtheVet.

The VA/DoD eBenefits portal is a central location for Veterans, Service Members, Wounded Warriors, their family members, and their authorized caregivers to research, find, access, and manage their benefits and personal information. Visit eBenefits Self Service portal to learn more about registering for access.

Veteran Bill of Rights

You have a right to...

• File a written application for veterans' benefits at any time, even if told that you are not eligible.
• Receive assistance completing an application for an earnest claim from your local accredited veterans' advocate.  
• Receive a full explanation of the services and benefits available.
• Receive a written notice and explanation of the approval or denial of your application for benefits.
• Be treated with dignity and respect and to receive accurate, courteous, and timely service.  
• Appeal and request a hearing if you disagree with any action taken in your case.
• Expect confidentiality; personal information will not be collected or used except for the purpose of determining your eligibility for benefits.  
• Receive fair and equal treatment without regard to sex, race, religion, handicap, ethnicity, or national origin.

How do you find a copy of your discharge/DD214?

You may be able to get a copy from our office.  We maintain all discharges, including those that were previously registered by the Cass County Clerk of Courts.

If we don't have it, there are several places where your discharge/DD214 may have been stored:

• Including the county the Veteran returned to upon discharge
• The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA)
• The North Dakota National Guard,
• Other State Department of Veteran Affairs Offices (if the veteran resided in another state after being discharged from the military)
• The National Record Center
• The Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System

Include the following information when requesting a copy:

• Veteran’s full name used in service.
• Dates of service (as close as possible)
• Service number and/or Social Security Number
• Veterans Date of Birth
• Branch of Service

We can assist you with locating a copy of your discharge/DD214 for no charge. 

Requests for copies of discharge papers may be made by the Veteran or the next of kin of a deceased Veteran which include; a surviving spouse that has not remarried, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother.

According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, nearly half of all veterans who served since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 said that it was a challenge to transition to civilian life. To help make the process easier for combat veterans, we put together a list of helpful resources that offer tips on finding jobs, purchasing insurance, exploring housing options, and other important considerations.

Best Car Insurance for Veterans and Military Personnel

What Veterans Need to Know About Going Back to School

What Benefits and Services Are Available for Veterans with PTSD?

Developing a Plan to Stay Healthy After the Military

Home Improvement Projects You Can Start to Pass the Time During Quarantine

Spruce Up Your Backyard with a DIY Firepit

12 Great Hobbies for Military Veterans

The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Job as a Veteran

Where to Search and Apply for Jobs Online

5 Programs to Help Veterans Buy a Home

8 Ways to Find Apartments for Rent

Explore Your Health Insurance Options When Leaving the Military

The 5 Best Life Insurance Companies for Veterans in 2020

Combat veterans who transition into civilian life face many challenges, from finding a job to finding a place to live. We hope these resources may help you along the way. You should also look into organizations that can help you make the transition so you won't have to do it alone.

Veterans in North Dakota can apply for a grant to help cover expenses for hyperbaric treatment. If you are a veteran in Cass County, please contact Veterans Services Officer Chris Deery at (701) 241-5756. 

What is Hyberbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber. The pressure in the chamber is increased, anywhere from 1.5 to 3.0 atmospheres for a duration of one hour. The hyperbaric oxygen treatment provides a dramatic increase in the oxygen in the blood. The high level of oxygen in the blood then provides an increase in oxygen to all tissues and mitigates an over-reactive immune function. These three results provide incredible healing benefits.

How it works

Normally, all cells are close enough to capillaries (our smallest blood vessels) to receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients for normal function. With trauma, these capillaries are injured, cannot supply the cells with oxygen, leading to swelling in the area (think of a sprained ankle). The cells can become injured and can even die off if they do not have oxygen to support their functions. Under hyperbaric conditions, the swelling is reduced and oxygenation is restored to all cells. After several hyperbaric treatments, angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) begins restoring more normal blood flow. 

Cass County Veteran Services Representative Tony Baker is a Veterans Treatment Court Mentor. Please fill out this form to contact Tony or click here for more information about this program.   

Program Description

Veterans Treatment Courts are designed to give an opportunity to improve the quality of a justice involved veteran’s life.  By choosing to participate in this program, they have to show that they are ready to do the work to make positive changes toward recovery and a law-abiding life.  Change is difficult, and they are sure to face many challenges within the course of the program.  However, they will continue moving forward one step at a time.  Veterans Treatment Courts provide support and assistance on their path.  The Veterans Treatment Court emphasizes courage, commitment, integrity, devotion, and honor, and we hope they find these values meaningful as well. 

Disclaimer

Reference herein to any specific products, processes, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Cass County Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Cass County Government and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

Federal

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Fargo VA Health Care System

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors

The National Resource Directory

State

ND Department of Veterans Affairs

ND Veterans Events

Disabled Veteran Tax Credit

Family Assistance Center

North Dakota Detox Centers for Drug & Alcohol Addiction

Other

Clay County Veterans Service Office

FM Community Resources

Community Action

Supportive Services for Veteran Families

FirstLink

Rebuilding Together Fargo-Moorhead

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

Discounts