Financial Assistance

Veteran Service Officers 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 Grand Traverse or Leelanau county veteran and would like further information on emergency financial assistance or other veteran benefits please call (231) 995-6070.



*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 Service Officers at Grand Traverse 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 (231) 995-6070.
 .

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

Grand Traverse 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 Grand Traverse and Leelanau county veterans.  Upon completion, these applications are reviewed by the respective Trust Fund committees in Grand Traverse county and a decision is rendered.





To be eligible for a grant from the MVTF, a veteran or dependent must be a legal resident of Grand Traverse or Leelanau 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 Grand Traverse or Leelanau County* for at least 90 days at the time of application.  The veteran must have been discharged under honorable conditions.

Funds for this program are limited.