Today, April 21, 2023, marks the 100th anniversary of the MDVA State Soldiers Assistance Program (SSAP).

The program has evolved over a century. Today’s Minnesota Veterans and their families are supported through benefits such as housing, financial assistance, education financial assistance, short-term disability, dental and optical assistance, and disaster relief. Learn more on the MDVA website.

The program recently served a Minnesota Veteran who would have been in the cold without the help of SSAP.

A working furnace is mandatory during the cold Minnesota winters. When his furnace failed in February 2023 during one of the state’s snowiest winters on record, U.S. Air Force Veteran and single dad Caleb W. knew he needed to act quickly. He called several repair companies and learned the repair cost would top $14,000.

Caleb was already dealing with a loss of income from a torn Achille’s tendon that had prevented him from working for several months. He was concerned about taking on more debt.

While going through cancer treatment several years ago, Caleb learned about Veteran benefits from his County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO). With few other options, Caleb decided to connect with his CVSO again to ask for help. “I have pride and have always been the guy who goes to work and takes care of myself,” Caleb said. “It was a ‘Hail, Mary’ call but I thought I would try. It’s different with a five-year-old son.”

Caleb was eligible for the Veterans Relief Grant which covered the cost of his new furnace. The repair was made and he and his son had a warm house again.

The grant application process was “intense,” Caleb says, but worth the effort. “They came through for me and I got the boiler. I am so grateful. It was a huge thing for me.”

Learn more about the Veterans Relief Grant, funded by the State Soldiers Assistance Program, from your CVSO, by calling 1-888-LinkVet or visiting MinnesotaVeteran.org/Benefits.