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ARE YOU BEING SCAMMED?

- Be suspicious of media advertisements from companies which provide information about Settlements and suggest you can ONLY obtain compensation with THEIR help. These predatory companies are not with the VA and are targeting Veterans.
- Be cautious of aggressive law firms or companies expressing a sense of urgency and insisting you must act now. Instead, use the VA Office of General Counsel (OGC) Accreditation Search to confirm and validate the credentials of anyone offering claims assistance at: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp?
- Do not agree to pay any fees to help with your VA claim. There are accredited Veterans Service Organizations, agents and attorneys who will assist you for free.
- Be wary of companies claiming to be contacting you on behalf of the VA. Contact the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000 if you are unsure about the authenticity of a message you’ve received. https://www.fcc.gov/veterans-targeted-benefits-scams
- Veterans and their survivors who think they might be eligible for any PACT Act benefits should visit www.va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 for more information.
- Apply directly to the VA. You may submit an application securely online at VA.gov or in person at the Traill County Veterans Service Office. There are no costs or hidden fees to apply because the VA will never charge Veterans or their family members to apply for the benefits that they may be entitled to receive.
- To make an appointment at the Traill County Veterans Service Office please call 701-430-7059.
2023 VA DEER HUNT APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 29TH

2023 Camp Grafton Disabled Veteran Deer Hunt
WHO: Veterans who are 50% disabled or greater are encouraged to apply. Only 5 hunters allowed per day.
WHEN: Monday, November 13th and Monday, November 20th
WHERE: The Disabled Veteran Deer Hunt will take place at Camp Grafton, ND.
DEADLINE: Applications should be postmarked by April 29, 2023 to be considered. Applications are available from your local County Veteran Service Office.
*PLEASE NOTE: This is a shotgun with slug only hunt, no rifles will be allowed or provided this year.*
VIRTUAL OUTREACH MARCH 30th at 11:00am

Guest speakers will provide information on the various programs and resources within their organization that are available to ensure homeless and at risk of homeless Veterans receive the support they deserve.
When:
Thu. Mar 30, 2023, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm CT
Where:
Cost: Free
Virtual Homeless & Justice-Involved Veteran Outreach Symposium
Symposium Details: The primary focus of this collaborative effort is to provide training and resources to VBA’s Homeless and Justice-Involved Veteran Outreach Coordinators and external stakeholders, as well as assisting these Veterans in obtaining benefits, services, and resources that may be available to them. Guest speakers will provide information on the various programs and resources within their organization that are available to ensure homeless and at risk of homeless Veterans receive the support they deserve. This symposium will also provide attendees with information on the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act benefits and claims filing as well as ways to seek additional VA support.
Date: Thursday, March 30, 2023
Time: 12:00-4:00PM(EST)
Location: WebEx Virtual Platform
Quick Join: Click Here to Join the Symposium
Phone: 1-404-397-1596, Access Code: 2762 132 4479
VA ASSISTANCE TO AVOID EVICTION

(1)QUESTION: “I’m being evicted what should I do?”
ANSWER: If you or a Veteran needs immediate assistance to avoid eviction or loss of housing, please call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID VET. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- VA staff are available to assist Veterans facing housing crises by directing them to the appropriate resources and supportive services offered by VA and other government entities. Below are details on several resources and services available for Veterans who are at an increased risk of eviction due to the ending of temporary renter protections.
(2)QUESTION: “I’m struggling to pay my rent and utilities who can help me?”
ANSWER: Call the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program at 701-232-2452
- Contact: Holly Papineau at 701-306-0056 or email: hollyp@sendcaa.org
- Contact: Jenny Gomke at 701-318-4430 or email: jennyg@sendcaa.org
- Contact: Alesha Petermann at 701-388-6048 or email: aleshap@sendcaa.org
- Address: 3233 University Drive South Fargo, ND 58104
- SSVF provides case management and supportive services to prevent homelessness or to rapidly re-house Veterans and their families who are homeless.
- The SSVF subsidy program may provide a modest subsidy for two years to extremely low-income Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
(3)QUESTION: “I need free legal help. Who can I call?”
ANSWER: Call Rachel Marsolek, LSW and VJO Coordinator at 701-200-2723 or email her at: Rachel.marsolek@va.gov She will help you find legal aid resources in North Dakota.
(4)QUESTION: “Where do I find local help?”
ANSWER: Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can CALL or VISIT their local VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Fargo, ND and ask to speak with a Homeless Coordinator at 701-461-7330
MEDICAL FOSTER HOMES FOR VETERANS

QUESTION: WHAT IS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO NURSING HOME CARE?
Medical Foster Homes are private homes in which a trained caregiver provides a safe and supportive long-term care for Veterans. This is an alternative to nursing home and assisted living care. It may be appropriate for Veterans who require nursing home care but prefer a non-institutional setting with fewer residents. The VA inspects and approves all Medical Foster Homes.
The Medical Foster Home program partners with people in the community who have caregiving experience and who have room in their homes to take in up to three Veterans and provide their daily care including 24-hour supervision, meals, laundry, med management, and personal care assistance. VA Home Based Primary Care provides medical oversight via visits from a skilled team of professionals.
The cost for care is determined based on the Veteran’s care needs. Care is paid via private pay, potential VA Regional Office funding, and/or county waiver funding if the Veteran is eligible for Medical Assistance. On Thursday December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law H.R. 2617. Part of this bill includes payment for VA Medical Foster Home for Veterans who are eligible for VA paid long term care.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE MEDICAL FOSTER
HOME (MFH) PROGRAM?:
- Personal care in a private home for eligible Veterans with complex chronic disabling disease or condition(s) who meet nursing home level of care.
- Veterans are cared for in a safe and therapeutic environment, improving their quality of life.
- Provides health care in a home setting, including end-of-life care.
- Is an alternative to living alone by providing quality long-term care and companionship.
- No more than three residents receive care in the home.
- Gives Veterans the option to remain in a family setting.
- Offers personalized care in the community.
- Meets the increasing demand for long-term care services through care in a non-institutional setting.
- Offers access to Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) or Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Home Care Services.
WHAT IS THE MEDICAL FOSTER HOME ENVIRONMENT LIKE?
- A furnished, private room
- 24-hour care and supervision
- Choice of Medical Foster Home placement and location
- Stable loving home
- Safeguards against abuse
- Signed agreement between MFH caregiver and patient, family
- Pets are possible
- Assistance with daily care, transportation to appointments, and medication
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
VA Coordinator Kristin Swenson can help you decide if a Medical Foster Home is a good alternative for you or someone you love.
Contact: Kristin Swenson- Coordinator
Address:
Fargo VA Health Care System
2101 N Elm St
Fargo, ND 58102
Phone:
701-232-3241 ext. 3940
PACT ACT CLAIMS CLINIC

PACT ACT CLAIMS CLINIC MARCH 1st
The Fargo Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (2101 Elm Street N., Fargo) will host a PACT Act Claims Clinic on March 1st from 4pm to 6pm in the 3rd floor auditorium of the hospital.
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
During the Claims Clinic, participants will be able to meet with VA claims representatives one on one, to submit a claim and complete Toxic Exposure Screening.
The act expands care and benefits to Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide generations of veterans and their survivors with care and benefits they earned and deserve.
For more information, call the Fargo VA Public Affairs Office at (701) 239-3724.
VETERANS HONOR FLIGHT APRIL 30th 2023
The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN has announced that there will be a spring flight departing Hector International Airport in Fargo on April 30.
The flight will have approximately 90 veterans on board from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam conflicts.
The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN is a 501c3 non-profit, 100 percent volunteer organization that takes veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge to visit the memorials built in their honor.
The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN does not solicit funds through calls or emails.
Veterans who served before May 7, 1975 and would like to apply to take part in the flight can download an application form online at veteranshonorflightofndmn.org.

VA PHONE- QUICK REFERENCE
After Hours Telephone Care: 866-687-7382 | Medical Foster Home Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3940 |
Anesthesia Pain Clinic: 701-239-3700 extension 3510 | Medical Library: 701-239-3755 |
Appointments: 701-239-3700 ; toll-free: 800-410-9723 | Mental Health: 701-239-3700 extension 3150 |
Audioinquiry System – Current listing of appointments: 855-560-1718 | Military Sexual Trauma: 701-239-3700 extension 4523 |
Audiology: 701-239-3700 extension 3748 | Million Veteran Program: 866-441-6075 |
Bemidji VA Clinic: 218-755-6360 | Minority Veterans Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3562 |
Billing and Insurance: 866-347-2352 | Minot VA Clinic: 701-418-2600 |
Bismarck VA Clinic: 701-221-9152 | Minot Vet Center: 701-852-0177 |
Bismarck Vet Center: 701-224-9751 | MOVE! Weight Management Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3628 or 4428 |
Community Resource and Referral Center: 701-461-7330 | My HealtheVet: 701-239-3700 extension 4420 |
COVID-19 Vaccines: 800-410-9723 | Nurse Recruiter: 701-239-3700 extension 4325 |
Canteen – Veterans Canteen Service (PatriotCafe, PatriotBrew, PatriotStore): 701-239-3700 extension 3710 | Nursing Integrative Healing Therapies: 701-239-3700 extension 3425 |
Care in the Community, VA Community Care, MISSION Act: 866-517-9363 ; 701-239-3700 extension 3411 | Nutrition Education, Walk-In Dietitians: 701-239-3700 extension 3629 or 4437 |
Caregiver Support Program: 701-239-3700 extension 4399 | Nutrition and Food Service: 701-239-3745 |
Chaplain Service: 701-239-3700 extension 2795 | Oncology: 701-239-3700 extension 3522; infusion room: extension 3126 |
Chief of Staff: 701-239-3700 extension 3202 | Office of Integrity and Compliance Officer: 701-239-3700 extension 3214 |
Community Living Center: 701-239-3700 extension 3477 | Orthopedics: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 |
Community Resource and Referral Center: 701-461-7330 | Patient Advocate: 701-239-3700 extension 3738 |
Compensation and Pension: 701-239-3700 extension 3410 or 2982 or 3501 | Patient Location: 701-239-3700 extension 0 |
DAISY Award: 701-239-3700 extension 3661 | Pharmacy: 855-846-8154 |
Dementia Care: 701-239-3700 extension 4080 | Physician Recruiter: 701-239-3700 extension 2353 |
Dental Clinic: 701-239-3700 extension 3371 | Podiatry: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 |
Dental Eligibility: 701-239-3700 extension 2459 | Police Services: 701-239-3700 extension 3299 |
Dermatology: 701-239-3700 extension 2403 | Post 9/11 Transition and Care Management / Military2VA (M2VA) / Returning Servicemembers: 701-239-3700 Ext. 4310 |
Devils Lake VA Clinic: 701-662-5801 | Primary Care: 701-239-3700 |
Dialysis: 701-239-3700 extension 4500 | Privacy Office: 701-239-3700 extension 3978 |
Dickinson VA Clinic: 701-483-1850 | Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services: 701-239-3700 Ext. 3039 |
Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence: 701-239-3700 extension 3810 | Public Affairs Office / Media: 701-239-3724 |
Ear, Nose and Throat: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 | Pulmonary Department: 701-239-3700 extension 3524 |
Eligibility: 701-239-3700 extension 3428 | Quality, Safety, & Value: 701-239-3700 extension 3686 |
Emergency Department: 701-239-3700 ; 800-410-9723 | Rehabilitation and Extended Care: 701-239-3700 extension 2093 |
Employee Education: 701-239-3700 extension 3662 | Release of Information: 701-239-3700 extension 3419 or 3718 |
Equal Employment Opportunity Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3837 | Renal Transplant Coordination: 701-239-3700 extension 2555 or 3522 |
Eye Clinic: 701-239-3700 extension 3748 | Research: 701-239-3700 extension 3348 or 3557 |
Fargo Vet Center: 701-237-0942 | Research Compliance Officer: 701-239-3700 extension 3214 |
Fergus Falls VA Clinic: 218-739-1400 | Safe Patient Handling Program: 701-239-3700 extension 2555 |
Finance Office: 701-239-3700 extension 3301 | Social Work: 701-239-3700 extension 4311 |
Former Prisoners of War Advocate: 701-335-4389 | Special Mode Transportation: 701-239-3700 extension 4506 |
Gastroenterology/Endoscopy: 701-239-3700 extension 3510 | Specialty Care: 701-239-3700 extension 2420 |
Grafton VA Clinic: 701-352-4059 | Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders: 701-239-3700 extension 9-3765 |
Grand Forks VA Clinic: 701-335-4380 | Suicide Prevention Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3556 |
General Surgery: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 | Telehealth: 701-239-3700 extension 3993 |
Gynecology: 701-239-3700 extension 2599 | Telephone Care: 701-239-3700 ; 800-410-9723 |
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program: 701-239-3700 extension 4039 | Therapy Services – Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Recreation: 701-239-3700 extension 3047 |
Home Based Primary Care: 701-461-7343 | Tobacco Cessation: 701-239-3700 extension 4406 |
Homeless Veterans: 701-461-7330 | Travel Office: 701-239-3700 extension 3429 |
Honors Escort Program: 701-239-3700 extension 2726 | Urology: 701-239-3700 extension 2403 |
Hospice and Palliative Care: 701-239-3700 extension 2726 | Vascular Surgery: 701-239-3700 extension 3383 |
Housing Assistance: 701-239-3700 extension 3472 | Veterans Drop-In Center – Gladys Ray Shelter: 701-364-0116 |
Human Resources: 701-239-3700 extension 3641 | Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record: 701-239-3700 extension 2876 |
Imaging – Radiology – Xray: 701-239-3700 extension 3204 or 3203 | Visual Impairment Services: 701-239-3700 extension 3047 |
Inpatient medical-surgical unit: 701-239-3700 extension 3467 or 3414 | Voluntary Service / Center for Development & Civic Engagement: 701-239-3700 extension 3395 |
Integrated Ethics Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3214 | Whole Health: 701-239-3700 extension 3990 |
Intensive Care Unit: 701-239-3700 extension 3312 | Williston VA Clinic: 701-572-2470 |
Jamestown VA Clinic: 701-952-4787 | Women Veterans Program – Women’s Health: 701-239-3700 extension 3893 or 3503 |
Lost and Found: 701-239-3700 extension 0 | Wound Care: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 |