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Financial Assistance

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Accredited veteran benefits counselors are available to assist veterans and their dependents with their claims for benefits.  To apply for assistance, a copy of DD 214 or similar document is required.

If you are an Ingham or Clinton county veteran and would like further information on emergency financial assistance or other veteran benefits please call (517) 887-4331.

*Veterans who reside in other counties can go to the Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors web site to contact their local veteran representatives for information on emergency financial assistance in their area.

Veteran Benefits Counselors at Ingham County Department of Veteran Affairs will assist you in preparing, completing, submitting your claim for emergency financial assistance.

If you would like assistance in applying for emergency financial assistance please contact our office at (517) 887-4331.

Please have the following information/documents available at your appointment: 

  • DD 214
  • Financial information from all sources (gross)
  • Itemized monthly expenses
  • Asset information (savings, checking, IRA etc.)
  • Liability information (loan balances, debts)
  • Bill(s) that you are requesting assistance



Michigan Veterans Trust Fund

Ingham County Department of Veterans Affairs has contracted with the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) State Office to provide for the completion and processing of applications for emergency assistance for Ingham and Clinton county veterans.  Upon completion, these applications are reviewed by the respective Trust Fund committees in Ingham and Clinton counties and a decision is rendered.

To be eligible for a grant from the MVTF, a veteran or dependent must be a legal resident of Ingham or Clinton County* 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.

WWI – April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 (If service in Russia, then to April 1, 1920)
WWII – December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
Korea – June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955  Vietnam – February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975
Persian Gulf – August 2, 1990 to present


Veterans Relief Fund

To be eligible for emergency assistance through the Veterans Relief Fund, a veteran or dependent must be a legal resident of Ingham County* at the time of application.  The veteran must have been discharged under honorable conditions, with at least one day of active wartime service.  Service during the following periods or an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in such places as Grenada, Lebanon, Berlin, Persian Gulf, Mayaguez Operation, or Desert Storm is required.

WWI – April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 (If service in Russia, then to April 1, 1920)
WWII – December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
Korea – June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
Vietnam – February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975
Persian Gulf – August 2, 1990 to present

Funds for this program are limited.