In June 2020, Minnesota Veteran Jeff Sommerfield received a phone call from his employer informing him his position had been terminated due to "unforeseeable business circumstances related to COVID-19.” This caught him completely off guard, leaving him worried about his financial future. After being employed for the last 40 plus years, Sommerfield knew he needed to do something. He soon learned of grant money available through the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).

Sommerfield first turned to his County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) – Tracy Crouse in Wabasha County – who helped him determine the grants he was eligible for and start the application process. Initially he qualified for and received the COVID-19 Disaster Relief Grant, which is used to mitigate the negative effects and economic impact COVID-19 has had on Veterans and their families by providing a one-time financial relief grant.

“I remember helping Jeff. He came to our office inquiring about the MDVA grants associated with COVID-19. Jeff is a great guy and was easy to work with. He recently became one of our volunteer van drivers, taking Veterans to the VAMC in Minneapolis. Not only is Jeff a beneficiary of the MDVA grants, he also pays it forward by assisting other Veterans,” says Crouse.

As luck would have it, shortly thereafter, his septic system needed to be repaired and he again found himself in an unfortunate situation. Sommerfield turned to his CVSO once again and she helped him apply for the COVID-19 Special Needs Grant. Jeff was approved and received this one-time financial assistance grant which went directly to multiple vendors helping him pay one month's mortgage, one month's electric, vehicle insurance premiums and the second half of his property taxes.

“I am proud of the work that MDVA staff have done to assist Mr. Sommerfield during these difficult financial times. MDVA has assisted Veterans with over 3,000 similar grants and we hope to help many more Veterans in need with the remainder of the $6.2 million allocated to us by the state legislature for COVID assistance grants,” said Brad Lindsay, Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Services, MDVA.

Sommerfield joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1982 as an 11 Bravo and was assigned to Co B 1/135 in Red Wing. About eight years later, Sommerfield transferred to the United States Air Force Reserves 934th Airlift Wing as a Fire Protection Specialist (AFSC 3E771) and retired as a Tech Sgt in September of 2005.

“Having to ask for financial help and assistance is new to me, and especially difficult. I encourage any Vets out there that are in some difficult battles, be it job loss, job search, financial distress, uncertainty, and even homelessness, to contact their local CVSO as starters,” said Sommerfield.

MDVA would like to recognize and thank staff involved in processing these important grants and assisting our Veterans in a time of need. MDVA staff stands ready to help as many Veterans as possible to receive these important grants until funding runs out.

“The assistance we were able to provide to Mr. Sommerfield is a great example of how our staff exemplify the ethos of ‘Veterans Helping Veterans.’ Every day our team answers the call to service by dedicating themselves to helping Minnesota’s Veterans and their families and our leadership team is proud of all of their great work,” said Andrew Garvais, Director of Veterans Programs and Memorial Affairs, MDVA.

In addition to the two grants provided to Sommerfield, MDVA recently released a new COVID-19 Distance Learning Support Grant. To learn more about these grants, visit: MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief.