Online Resources and Helpful Information for Native American Veterans
This page provides links to a variety of online resources for Native American veterans. Some of these links will allow you to directly apply for benefits or services. Others will provide you with important information about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or other agency programs.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the information on this page, please contact Senator Heitkamp's office at 202-224-2043, or click here to send an email.
This page has online resources and helpful information about the following issues. Click on the links to jump to each section.
VA's Office of Tribal Relations
Benefits provided by the State of North Dakota
Health Care
Do you think you could be eligible for VA health benefits? Apply for VA health benefits here.
The VA has programs to make it easier for Native veterans who live in rural areas to access care. Learn more about rural health care options here.
The Fargo VA Health Care System is the primary provider of VA health care for veterans in North Dakota. Learn more here.
VA Tele-health programs can play an important role in helping veterans deal with mental illness, including post-traumatic stress and other mental health challenges. Learn more here.
Most Native American veterans are eligible for care through Indian Health Service. Find the closest Indian Health Service, Tribal or Urban Indian Health Program facility near you here.
The National Library of Medicine has developed a wide variety of useful information about issues affecting the health and well-being of Native Americans. Access the research and information here.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health is focused on improving health outcomes for minority populations. Learn more about their efforts here.
It is critical that Native American veterans have the opportunity to share their stories so others can learn from their experiences in accessing care and benefits. Access Native American Veterans: Storytelling for Healing here.
CHAMPVA provides health coverage for the eligible spouses and children for certain veterans. The coverage meets the minimum standard required by the health care law. Learn more here.
Disability Benefits
The VA has a variety of benefits and programs specifically for Native American veterans. Learn more here.
Watch a video that walks you through a step-by-step process for filing an electronic Fully Developed Claim (FDC) for disability compensation on the VA/Department of Defense E-Benefits web portal here.
The Fargo Regional Benefits office can help get you started and answer your questions regarding VA benfeits. Learn more here.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a Veterans Service Organization that can assist eligible veterans and their families to obtain benefits and services. Learn more here.
Many disabled veterans are eligible to apply for disability through the Social Security Administration. Learn more here.
If you have already made a VA disability benefits claim, click here to log in to your VA E-Benefits account and see the status of your request.
VetsFirst is a nationwide program that assists veterans and their families in obtaining VA benefits. Learn more here.
If you are unsure what type of claims are eligible for disability compensation and if you're eligible, click here.
Housing Programs
Eligible Native American veterans can receive a Native American Direct Loan (NADL) to finance the purchase, construction, or improvement of homes. Learn about eligibility, rates and benefits here.
Read a short summary about how the NADL program works here, or watch a video that explains the eligibilty for the NADL program here.
The St. Paul Regional Loan Center is 1 of 8 VA regional loan centers where the VA's Home Loan Guaranty program is administered. Learn more here.
The VA provides grants to servicemembers and veterans with certain service-connected disabilities to help purchase, construct or make modifications to homes in order to accommodate a disability. Learn more here.
Homeless veterans can find programs and resources regarding health care, mental health, housing assistance, employment and job training here.
Learn about Salvation Army supportive services for homeless veterans and families and find contact information for area case mangers here.
The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs has programs available to help eligible veterans build, improve and find a home. Learn about the programs available here.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture can provide housing assistance in the form of loans and grants for repairs, water issues, energy needs and more. Learn more about the programs offered here.
VA Office of Tribal Relations
See a comprehensive list of the resources and programs available through the VA Office of Tribal Relations here.
Education Benefits
The VA Education and Career Counseling program provides personalized counseling and support to help guide career paths and ensure the most effective use of VA benefits. Learn more here.
Learn about the educational benefits available through the VA, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill here.
The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs offers a variety of educational scholarships. Learn more here.
Educational benefits are available for veterans and military families. Click here for information about programs from the U.S. Department of Education.
Many educational and training programs are appropriate ways for veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents to use VA education benefits. Click here to learn more from the N.D. Department of Veterans Affairs Education and Training contact.
Employment Resources
Unemployed veterans can receive up to 12 months of training assistance through the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program. Learn about eligibility here.
The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) provides resources and programs to help veterans find employment and receive job training. Learn more here.
Receive step-by-step instructions on how to use the VA vocational rehabilitation and employment (VocRehab) program here.
Translate military skills to civilian skills that can be used to update resumes with this translator tool.
The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides opportunities to learn about available VA benefits. Learn more here.
Find contact information for your local Veterans' Employment Team Member at Job Service ND here.
Learn more about or make a Job Service ND unemployment insurance claims entry here.
The North Dakota VA Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) provides intensive services to meet the employment needs of disabled veterans. Learn more here.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides assistance to veterans who want to start or continue farming and ranching operations. Learn more about the resources available here.
Benefits Provided by State of North Dakota
Learn more about the health care, financial, burial and memorial, housing assistance, employment and education and training benefits and services provided by the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs here.
Learn about the programs and resources available to help homeowners with home repairs and improvements here.
Hardship Assistance Grants provide funds for dental/denture work, optical, hearing, transportation, special medical needs, housing or other emergency needs for veterans, their spouses and un-remarried widow/widowers of eligible veterans. Learn more here.
E-Benefits
The VA's E-Benefits is an online portal that provides access to a wide array of benefits information, including information on claims you have submitted. Learn more here.
PTSD Counseling
Resources are available at the local level to help veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For information on North Dakota Vet Centers and community based outpatient care that could help, click here.
Native Veterans in rural areas may benefit from telehealth technologies, which are sometimes used for mental health care. For more information on VA telemedicine programs benefiting rural veterans, click here.
For assistance from the Minority Veterans Coordinator of the Fargo VA Health Care System, call Harold Lindsay, LCSW, at 701-239-3700,ext: 93562.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can help you locate a mental health service provider near you. Click here to use SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.
For a list of further resources and background information from the N.D. Department of Veterans Affairs, click here.
Legal Assistance
If you need help with legal issues ranging from marital and family disputes to disability issues, legal assistance may be available. Click here for more information from the N.D. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Servicemembers and their families can also seek legal referrals at Family Assistance Centers (FACs) throughout North Dakota. To find one near you, click here for more information from the N.D. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Korea Revisit Program
Korea War and Defense Veterans are eligible for subsidized “Revisit Korea Tours” in the Republic of Korea. Click here for more information from the Korean War Veterans Association.
