SERVING

Those That

SERVED

Michigan State Benefits

The state of Michigan strives to be a proud military and veteran's organization, characterized by excellence and integrity for the fulfillment of our duties to our nation, state and to one another. Our values include integrity, excellence, teamwork and accountability.  

           

Tuition Grant Procedure Brief

Public Act 248 of 2005 (Michigan Compiled Law 390.1341-1346) provides an annual undergraduate tuition grant of up to $2,800 for the eligible children of certain deceased military personnel or totally and permanently disabled veterans.

       
The Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority administers the program.  

      

Please contact:

Michigan Department of Treasury

Office of Scholarships and Grants
Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 30462
Lansing, MI  48909-7962
Telephone:  517-373-7120  

       

   

   

  

  

  

   

   

    

     

    

Emergency Grants

Temporary assistance granted by the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) for emergencies or hardships is available to eligible wartime veterans, and their families, residing in the state. Under the authority of Public Act 9 of 1946 (as amended), the MVTF cannot provide assistance for long-term problems or chronic financial difficulties. Those eligible for the MVTF temporary grant program must apply through the MVTF county committee serving their county of residence. All applications are investigated, deliberated, and decided in confidence. Any applicant may request a personal hearing before the county committee at the meeting when his/her application is considered. If the county committee denies an application every 

applicant has the right to appeal that decision to the  MVTF Board of Trustees (with the opportunity to appear before the board to present information and answer questions.) The MVTF does not provide loans under the temporary assistance program. Applications for assistance are submitted in the veteran's county of residence.  

          
General Definition of Need

When an eligible applicant is unable to temporarily provide the basic necessities of life in our society without causing a hardship, a situation for a possible MVTF grant exists. The assistance must be essential and not for the relief of an inconvenience, or the purchase of a want/desire. The key factor in determining whether or not a grant is justified is the ability of the applicant to manage the obligation for which aid is requested after a grant is made. If there is no reasonable expectation that the MVTF grant would enable the applicant to resume his/her responsibility, then aid is not appropriate or wise. Since the MVTF only has the yearly earnings of the trust to provide grants and administer its operations, care must be taken to insure that the resources are expended wisely and where they will help the most. If, by experience with the MVTF or through other means, an applicant's financial situation creates repetitive "emergencies" or appears chronic in nature, the county committee and/or the board must refer that person to other resources designed to address those lingering needs. In addition, the applicant should have attempted to resolve the emergency or hardship through every reasonable means available prior to asking the MVTF for assistance. (Often the willingness to take responsibility for one's difficulties is demonstrated by the ability to pay a portion of the debt). In other words, the applicant should have tried to resolve the problem, but is apparently unable to do so without MVTF aid.

  

Basic Eligibility To be eligible for a grant from the MVTF, a veteran or dependent must be a legal resident of the State of Michigan at the time of the application. The veteran must have been discharged under honorable conditions, with at least 180 days of active wartime service (90 days for WWI veteran), or have been separated as the result of a physical or mental disability incurred in the line of duty (or aggravated by active duty). Service during the following periods (or an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, plus 180 days of honorable active duty, for service between periods in places such as Grenada, Lebanon, Berlin, Persian Gulf, Mayaguez Operation, or Desert Storm) is required: 

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

(1) WW I - April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918
(If service in Russia, then to April 1, 1920) 

(2) WW II - December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946

(3) Korea - June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955

(4) Vietnam - February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975

(5) Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990, to present If a veteran has less than 180 days of active duty during these eras, duty in more than one period may be combined. Evidence of separation or discharge with less than 180 days of wartime service due to a physical or mental disability is required to determine eligibility.  

          

Documentation

The following items are required when filing an application for trust fund assistance:Discharge papers, separation report, or DD-214 (showing the dates of active duty and the character of the release) Proof of residence (driver's license, voter registration, state I. D.)Bills or account statements regarding the items for which you are seeking a MVTF grant One or more of the following items may be required when filing an application for trust fund assistance: 

  • (1) Marriage certificate; birth certificates for minor children
  • (2) Death certificate of a deceased spouse or parent
  • (3) Documentation of any disability rating
  • (4) Proof of employment or other income
  • (5) Evidence of efforts at other appropriate agencies

   

New Benefits Line

The state of Michigan on Wednesday, September 24, 2014,  formally launched a help line that military veterans can call at any time to get assistance about their government benefits and services. The Veteran Resource Service Center is a partnership between the state Veterans Affairs Agency and the United Way's 211 phone system. Veterans who want help navigating various government agencies are encouraged to call 1-800-MICH-VETduring business hours and 211 after hours and on the weekends.

   

Connecting Veterans to Their Benefits

Created in 2013, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) serves as the central coordinating point for Michigan veterans, connecting those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and their families to services and benefits throughout the state.  Veterans and their family members can call 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838), anytime 24/7/365 and have access to thousands of federal benefits, state programs and local services and discuss their questions with live call center agents who are veterans themselves or related to a veteran. If veterans are not up to date on their federal VA claims, they are referred to a local county veteran’s service office, so they don’t have to navigate the claims process alone. 

    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    

Check On MIVet

The Check on MIVet initiative is designed to get veterans, active duty service members, Michigan National Guard and Reserve members connected to the benefits and services they earned for their service.

Also, the initiative will allow anyone concerned about a veteran, active duty service member, Guard or Reserve member.   Simply fill out an online form requesting that a representative from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) or one of their partner organizations check in on the veteran through a phone call.

Missaukee County Veterans

Veterans who live in Missaukee County and are having some trouble making ends meet can get some of their needs paid for through grant dollars recently awarded.  Please contact Veteran Services Officers Elizebeth Cuddington (at 517-290-8789 or ecuddington@michiganlegion.org) or Eric David (517-897-0855 or edavid@michiganlegion.org).

     

New Grant

One of Michigan’s newest benefits is the Veteran Service Fund (CVSF) grant. The CVSF allows counties to host outreach events, hire Veteran Service Officers (VSO), and market their services to veterans. In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participating counties can also utilize these funds to assist veterans with vehicle and home repairs, medical expenses, groceries and personal care items and meet other needs determined emergent. Veterans of all eras can take advantage of the emergency funding opportunities while also becoming more familiar with resources that are available to them and their families.  For more information, veterans should call 1-800-MICH-VET.

   

Free Vouchers In Lenawee County

To inquire about the voucher program, check eligibility for other temporary emergency assistance programs for delinquent bills and to ask about veteran-related benefits, contact the Lenawee County Department of Veterans Affairs at 1040 S. Winter St., Ste. 3017, in Adrian; call 517-264-5335; or email veterans.affair@lenawee.mi.us. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed for lunch and on Fridays for administrative purposes.

  

Michigan's VetLife

Vetlife’s mission is to bring Michigan veterans together to provide a safer, healthier, and prosperous civilian lifestyle by connecting veterans and their families to local services. They have compiled the contact information of every County Veterans’ Affair Office across the state, making it easier for any veteran in Michigan to contact their local office and get help with everything from everyday problems to extremely emergent needs.

   

Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate

The Adjutant General is authorized by the Governor of the State of Michigan to award the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate. An individual may be awarded the certificate if they meet all of the following requirements:

  • The individual is a citizen of this state (Michigan) or was a citizen of this state (Michigan) while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, including the Michigan National Guard and reserve components).
  • The individual was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances.
  • The individual served during the Vietnam War era (February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975).

     

The certificate also includes the option of a special designation, as developed by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, recognizing individuals who were exposed to dioxin or phenoxy herbicides during their service. To receive this designation, he or she must have been exposed to dioxin or phenoxy herbicides, as evidenced by a medical diagnosis of a disease associated with dioxin or phenoxy herbicides.

     

To submit for consideration, complete the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate Form (Click here)