The county veterans administrator told the Cass County Board of Commissioners that the office has helped veterans, widows and widowers obtain $5,071,929.92 in benefits over the past four years and that the office’s fiscal‑year 2024 grant award was reduced by $21,043 after a statewide recoupment.

The administrator said the office’s 2024 grant allocation was initially $81,412 and, after the recoupment by the state or its contractor, the final amount available was $60,369. The administrator told commissioners the office did not exceed its budget in the first two quarters despite the reduction and that NVAA (the state veterans assistance program) is in litigation with the state over funding projections.

The report noted the county’s 2023 GDX population count showed 3,194 registered veterans in Cass County and cautioned that the number likely undercounts veterans who have not registered; the administrator encouraged outreach and registration to ensure veterans are counted and can access benefits.

The administrator also advised veterans and surviving spouses about benefits paperwork and deadlines, urging that property‑tax exemption paperwork be filed with townships except in cases of a life‑altering event, and explaining survivor benefit rules: "But if you pass away from something you have a rating for at the VA, they automatically get DIC and nothing counts against them." The administrator said that if a veteran dies from a condition for which they were not rated, a surviving spouse must apply for widow's benefits and the spouse’s income and assets may be counted against eligibility.

The administrator thanked county offices including the treasurer and clerk for assistance with verifications and record searches, and noted local coordination with the sheriff’s department to identify incarcerated veterans who may qualify for benefits. The administrator also announced that Adam Dahlgren is the new VFW commander in Cass County.

The administrator invited questions from commissioners and offered to assist township clerks with verification of veterans’ exemption paperwork.

Ending: The administrator said some initiatives paused this year will be restored in next year’s grant application and encouraged veterans to contact the office for help with registration and benefit verification.