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How the Veterans Benefits and Services Booklet WorksThe information listed in this booklet has been organized into categories – FEDERAL, STATE, and LOCAL PROGRAMS. State benefits are shaded gray in each specific category.

Much of the information contained in this booklet is a condensed version of Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, 2007 Edition, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Michigan government web site at www.Michigan.gov, and other federal, state, and community resources.

This booklet also provides valuable contact information with names, telephone numbers, addresses, and web site locations, when available.

Prepared by the Michigan Legislature with the assistance of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth and

the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

This information is provided free to Michigan citizens and is not for reproduction for resale or profit. This information was accurate at the time of printing.


Dear Veteran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Thank You for Your Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Education and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Education and Training – U.S. Federal Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Other Educational/Training Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Other Federal Education Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Education and Training – State of Michigan Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Educational Benefits for Children of Disabled or Deceased Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Employment – U.S. Federal Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Apprenticeship Programs for Discharged Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Employment – State of Michigan Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Health Care and Hospital Benefits – U.S. Federal Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13V.A. Disability Compensation – 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Health Care and Hospital Benefits – State of Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16V.A. Center for Women Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Homeless Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Michigan V.A. Medical Facilities and Outpatient Clinics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Home Loans and Tax Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Federal Benefits – Home Loan Guaranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20State of Michigan Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Dependent and Survivor Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Burial Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Survivor Benefits for Spouse and Children – Federal Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Financial Emergencies and Veterans Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Programs – State of Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Michigan Department of Human Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Veterans Service Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Homeless Shelters in Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Federal Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35State Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Michigan Congressional Delegation – 110th Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

United States Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39United States House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Michigan Governor and Lieutenant Governor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Michigan State Senate – 2007-2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Michigan House of Representatives – 2007-2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Of Interest to Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Veteran Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Flag Etiquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Flag Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

(Rev. 10/07)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEAR VETERAN

Thank You for Your Service . . .

It is indeed a pleasure to serve veterans who gave so much of themselves to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. Your sacrifices have given us the security of peace in ourhomeland and abroad, as well as preserved and protected our constitutional right of self-

government, for which we are very grateful.

This booklet has been compiled through federal, state, and local agencies especially forYou, Our Veterans and Your Families, to:

• Provide information about benefits and services• Provide links to direct sources – computer-based and professional – for answers to

specific questions• Assist in communicating more effectively with your elected representatives• Educate state, nonprofit, and community providers about benefits and services

available through other agencies or service providers

Eligibility for most Veterans Affairs (V.A.) benefits is based upon discharge from activemilitary service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-timeservice as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or as acommissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental ServicesAdministration, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Current and formermembers of the Selected Reserve may be eligible for benefits.

Any Michigan Veteran, or dependent of a Veteran, can request the assistance of a VeteransService Officer or a County Counselor. See page 32 for the listing of our Veterans ServiceOrganizations and page 33 for the County Veterans Counselors in Michigan.

The U.S. Veterans Service Question Hotline is available at 1-800-455-5228. The RegionalMichigan Office is available at 1-800-827-1000.

This booklet is intended as an introduction to the many programs and services available.Please contact the sources cited to assist you and your family to obtain benefits you haveearned.

Thank You for Your Service, Veteran and Your Family

-3-Veterans Question Hotline 1-800-455-5228

INFORMATION ON ELIGIBILITY

FOR MILITARY SERVICE BENEFITS

IS AVAILABLE FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT

OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (AGENCY LISTING

#3 ON PAGE 35), OR A COUNTY

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Education and Training – U.S. Federal ProgramsMontgomery GI Bill (MGIB)

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) provides aprogram of educational benefits to honorablydischarged veterans. The participant generallymust have a high school diploma or anequivalency certificate before beginningtraining. Completing a minimum of 12 credithours toward a college degree meets thisrequirement. Credits granted by colleges forlife experiences may be used to meet thisrequirement.

Contact your county veterans serviceoffice or call the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs (V.A.) at 1-888-442-4551 forfurther information, particularly on eligibility.Additional information for school officials,veterans, and dependents can be found onthe V.A.’s Education Services web page(http://www.gibill.va.gov).

Basic EligibilityBasic eligibility applies to veterans who

entered active duty for the first time afterJune 30, 1985. Active duty includes certain full-time Reserve and National Guard dutyperformed after June 30, 1985. To participatein the MGIB, servicemembers have theirmilitary pay reducedby $100 a month forthe first 12 monthsof active duty. Thismoney is not

refundable.

Types of Education and TrainingAvailable Under the MGIB

The following types of training are availableunder the MGIB:

(1) courses at colleges and universitiesleading to associate, bachelor, orgraduate degrees, and accreditedindependent study;

(2) courses leading to a certificate ordiploma from business, technical, orvocational schools;

(3) apprenticeships or on-the-job trainingprograms for individuals not on activeduty;

(4) correspondence courses, under certainconditions;

(5) flight training, if the veteran holds aprivate pilot’s license upon beginningthe training program and meets themedical requirements;

(6) state-approved teacher certificationprograms;

(7) preparatory courses necessary foradmission to a college or graduateschool;

(8) licensing and certification testsapproved for veterans; and

(9) entrepreneurship training courses tocreate or expand small businesses.

Payments for the MGIBA veteran who served on active duty for

three years or more, or two years’ active dutyplus four years in the Selected Reserve, willreceive a monthly income in basic benefitsfor 36 months. Those who enlist and servefewer than three years will receive a slightlylesser amount per month. V.A. will pay anadditional amount, commonly called a

Veterans Question Hotline 1-800-455-5228

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“kicker,” if directed by the Department ofDefense. For more information on amounts andeligibility, visit www.gibill.va.gov.

Vietnam Era GI Bill Conversions and Other MGIB Enrollment

Individuals who had remaining entitlementunder the Vietnam Era GI Bill when thatprogram ended on December 31, 1989, musthave served on active duty for any number ofdays during the period October 19, 1984, to June 30, 1985; or served on active duty for atleast three continuous years beginning on July 1,1985; or served at least two years active dutybeginning after June 30, 1985, followed by aminimum of four years in the Selected Reserve.Those who were not on active duty on October 19, 1984, if they served threecontinuous years on active duty at any timebeginning on or after July 1, 1985, or twocontinuous years of active duty at any timefollowed by four continuous years in theSelected Reserve, may also be eligible for MGIBbenefits.

Individuals who were participants under thePost-Vietnam Era Veterans EducationalAssistance Program (VEAP) may be eligible ifthey served on active duty on October 9, 1996;participated in VEAP and contributed money to aVEAP account; and elected MGIB by October 9,1997, and paid $1,200. Veterans who participatedin VEAP on or before October 9, 1996, may alsobe eligible even if they did not deposit money ina VEAP account if they served on active dutyfrom October 9, 1996, through April 1, 2000,elected MGIB by October 31, 2001, andcontributed $2,700 to MGIB. Certain NationalGuard service members may also qualify if theyserved on full-time active duty in the NationalGuard under Title 32, USC, between June 30,1985, and November 29, 1989; elected to haveNational Guard service count toward establishingeligibility for MGIB during the nine-monthwindow ending on July 9, 1997; and paid $1,200.

Additional information for school officials,veterans, and dependents can be found onV.A.’s Education Services web page(http://www.gibill.va.gov).

Other Educational/Training BenefitsV.A. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employmentis an employment-oriented program that assistsveterans with service-connected disabilities byoffering them services and assistance to helpthem prepare for, find, and keep suitableemployment. Suitable employment is workthat is within the veteran’s physical, mental,and emotional capabilities and matches theirskills, abilities, and interests.

For veterans whose disabilities makeemployment unlikely, V.A. helps them attain asmuch daily living independence as possible. Formore information, visit www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre.

Eligibility for the V.A. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program

A veteran must have a V.A.-establishedservice-connected disability of at least 10 percentwith a serious employment handicap, or atleast 20 percent with an employment handicap;and be discharged or released from militaryservice under other than dishonorableconditions. A service member pending medicalseparation from active duty may apply, butthe disability rating must be at least 20 percent.Information and application forms areavailable from your county V.A. office;Thomas Herbert, the V.A. VocationalRehabilitation Statewide Coordinator at313-471-3807; or on the Internet athttp://www.va.gov.

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Time Period for a V.A. Rehabilitation andEmployment Program

Generally, veterans must complete avocational rehabilitation program within 12 yearsfrom their separation from military service orwithin 12 years from the date V.A. notifies themthat they have a compensable service-connecteddisability. Depending on the length of programneeded, veterans may be provided up to48 months of full-time services or their part-timeequivalent. These limitations may be extendedin certain circumstances.

The MGIB and the V.A. Vocational Rehabilitationand Employment Program have severalcombinations of eligibility depending on thetime, dates of service, and contributions madewhile in the military service. Contact your countyveterans service office or call the V.A. at 1-888-442-4551 for further information,particularly on eligibility.

Other Federal Education ProgramsV.A. Work-Study Program

The V.A. Work-Study Program allowsveterans to earn additional income whileattending school (usually in the form of a part-time job with a veteran-related organization).Talk to your local veteran affairs representativeat any university or community college or call1-888-GI-BILL-1 for more information. You can also visit the V.A. web site athttp://www.gibill.va.gov.

Federal Pell Grant ProgramThe federal government is a source for

education grants. Applicants must beundergraduate students who have not earneda bachelor’s degree. Each applicant must be aU.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen and needsto have a high school diploma or a GED ordemonstrate the ability to benefit from theprogram.

Pell Grant EligibilityThe U.S. Department of Education uses a

standard formula established by Congress toevaluate the information a student supplieswhen applying for a Pell Grant. This formulaproduces an EFC (expected family contribution)number, which will determine if the student iseligible for the grant. The formula relies heavilyon families’ federal tax returns.

Award AmountThe amount of the Pell Grant depends on the

student’s EFC and several other factors, includingprogram funding. For more information, visitwww.studentaid.ed.gov.

How and When to ApplyStudents apply not only for Pell Grants but

for all federal, state, and institutional financialaid programs (except scholarships) by completingthe Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA). The FAFSA form is available from highschool guidance offices, or the application can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Beaware of the application deadlines for submissionand corrections.

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Education and Training – State of Michigan ProgramsThe Michigan Commission onDisability Concerns, which includesthe Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Michigan Commission on DisabilityConcerns responds to and advocates on behalfof Michigan’s 1.9 million people with disabilities.This is done through information andtechnical assistance, disability rights training,working with the Michigan Business LeadersNetwork on employment for people withdisabilities, coordinating the Michigan YouthLeadership Forum, and conducting disabilityawareness and sensitivity training. The Divisionon Deaf and Hard of Hearing deals with issuesinvolving Michigan citizens who are deaf orhard of hearing. The mission of the commissionis to provide statewide leadership to empowerand integrate people with disabilities into allaspects of society.

For more information, contact:Department of Labor and Economic Growth Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns/

Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing201 N. Washington Square, First FloorLansing, MI 48913Phone: 517-335-6004 T/VToll-Free: 1-877-499-6232 T/VFax: 517-335-7773

Commission on Disability [email protected]

Division on Deaf and Hard of [email protected]

Educational Benefits for Children of Disabled or Deceased VeteransTuition Grant Program

A program administered by the MichiganHigher Education Assistance Authority in theMichigan Department of Treasury providespayment for the education of the children of aveteran who is totally disabled from service-incurred causes, was killed in the line of duty,has died subsequently from a service-relateddisability, was totally disabled before deathfrom a service-connected illness or injury, orwho is listed by the federal government asmissing in action in a foreign country. A studentmay be eligible for a tuition waiver of up to$2,800 annually for undergraduate study.Recipients must meet certain eligibilityrequirements. Information on eligibility and application forms are available atwww.michigan.gov/studentaidor by calling toll-free 1-888-447-2687.

Michigan Rehabilitation ServicesVeterans with disabilities should also look into

the State of Michigan Rehabilitation Servicesprogram administered by the MichiganDepartment of Labor and Economic Growth.Services may be available to supplement USDVAallowances for vocational rehabilitation in casesof special need or for placement, tools, andequipment. Employment services may also beavailable to veterans whose disabilities are notservice-related. Information is available toll-freeat 1-800-605-6722 or 1-888-605-6722 (TTY).Or visit the web site at www.michigan.gov/mrs.

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EMPLOYMENT

Employment – U.S. Federal ProgramsTransition Assistance Program (TAP)

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) isavailable to service members (and theirspouses) who are scheduled for separationfrom active duty. The program providesemployment and training information toservice members within 12 months of theirseparation or 24 months of retirement fromthe military. Three-day workshops to helpbegin the transition from military to civilianemployment are conducted at militaryinstallations. TAP offers information onhow to write resumes, prepare for jobinterviews, negotiate credits at schools, andobtain certificates or licenses. Additionalinformation is available on the Internet athttp://www.dol. gov/vets/programs/tap/main.htm, or call the Veterans QuestionHotline at 1-800-455-5228.

You may also wish to visit the Internet siteDoD TRANSPORTAL athttp://www.dodtransportal.dod.mil/dav/lsnmedia/LSN/dodtransportal/.

Verification of Military Experience and Training

The Verification of Military Experienceand Training (VMET) Document, DD Form 2586, helps service members verifyprevious experience and training to potentialemployers. VMET documents are availableonly through Army, Navy, Air Force, andMarine Corps Transition Support offices and

are intended for separating or retiringservice members who have

at least six months of active duty

service. Service members should obtain VMETdocuments from their Transition Supportoffice within 12 months of separation or 24 months of retirement. Call the VeteransQuestion Hotline at 1-800-455-5228.

Federal Jobs for Veterans – Officeof Personnel Management (OPM)

Certain veterans, principally those who aredisabled or who served in a hostile area, areentitled to preference for federal civil servicejobs filled by open, competitive exams. Thispreference includes five or ten points addedto passing scores on examinations. Preferenceis also provided for certain widows andwidowers of deceased veterans who do notremarry, and for mothers of military personnelwho died in service; spouses of service-connected disabled veterans who are nolonger able to work in their usual occupations;and mothers of veterans who have permanentand total service-connected disabilities.

Individuals interested in federal informationshould contact the personnel offices of thefederal agencies in which they wish to beemployed. Or, contact any Office of PersonnelManagement (OPM) Service Center. Thecenters are listed in telephone books underU.S. Government, or you can visit the web siteat http://opm.gov.

Federal job opportunities can be found athttp://www.usajobs.opm.gov.


Workforce Investment Act (WIA) –Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs)

The 25 local Michigan Works! Agencies(MWAs) operate adult programs on a year-roundbasis. The funds allocated to the MWAs for adultprograms must be used to provide core, intensive,and training services to adults. Core servicesinclude, but are not limited to, outreach, intake,and orientation to other services, and initialassessments, job search, and placementassistance. Intensive services includecomprehensive and specialized assessment, groupcounseling, and short-term pre-vocational services.Training services include on-the-job training,skill upgrading, and occupational skills training.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)Dislocated Worker Program

An individual must be 18 years of age or olderto receive core services in the Dislocated WorkerProgram. An eligible dislocated worker is anindividual who:

• Has been terminated or laid off, or hasreceived a notice of termination or layoff; or

• Is eligible for, or has exhausted entitlementto, unemployment compensation; or

• Has been employed for a durationsufficient to demonstrate attachment tothe workforce, but is not eligible forunemployment compensation, and isunlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation; or

• Has been terminated or laid off, or hasreceived a notice of termination or layofffrom employment as a result of anypermanent closure of a plant, facility, orenterprise; or

• Is employed at a facility where theemployer has made a generalannouncement that the facility willclose within 180 days; or

• Was self-employed but is unemployed as aresult of general economic conditions; or

• Is a displaced homemaker.

Intensive services under the DislocatedWorker Program are available to dislocatedworkers who are unemployed or employed,have received at least one core service, and are unable to obtain employment or retainemployment that leads to self-sufficiency.

Training services may be made available toemployed and unemployed dislocated workerswho have met the eligibility criteria underintensive services, have received at least oneintensive service, and have been determined to be unable to obtain or retain employmentthrough such services.

For more information, contact your localMichigan Works! Agency. Call 517-371-1100to locate the nearest MWA or visitmichiganworks.org for more detailedinformation.

Apprenticeship Programs forDischarged VeteransU.S. Department of Labor Bureau ofApprenticeship and Training (BAT)

The BAT web site lists apprenticeshipprogram sponsors recognized and registered bythe Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.Apprenticeship programs are sponsored andoperated on a voluntary basis by individualemployers, employer associations, orpartnerships between employers and laborunions. The data is updated on a monthly basis.It is presented by state and county, withoccupations in alphabetical order, followed bythe employers who have a registered programfor that occupation.

To view apprenticeship programs offered by different states, go tohttp://bat.doleta.gov/bat.cfm.

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EMPLOYMENT


Helmets to HardhatsHelmets to Hardhats is a free program that

helps transitioning military, guardsmen, andreservists find great careers. The program, whichis funded by Congress, works with building andconstruction trade unions and qualifiedemployers to list construction careers and allother types of careers in the constructionindustry. Here you can list your skills online tobe viewed by potential employers and viewemployment and training opportunitiesthroughout the U.S. Visit the web site athttp://www.helmetstohardhats.org/home.jsp.

Troops to TeachersTroops to Teachers is a program that helps

veterans in efforts to become certified teachersunder state law, and then provides placementassistance to appropriate schools. The programdoes not alter or circumvent existing teachercertification requirements.

Troops to Teachers is funded by the U.S.Department of Education and managed by theU.S. Department of Defense. An office within theMichigan Department of Education implementsthis program in Michigan. For more information,contact the Troops to Teachers program at: David L. Ratajik, Ed.D.John A. Hannah Building608 West Allegan StreetP.O. Box 30008Lansing, MI 48909Phone: 517-373-9732Toll-Free: 1-866-801-0007Fax: 517-373-0542E-mail: [email protected]

Re-Employment RightsA person who left a civilian job to

enter active duty in the armed forcesmay be entitled to return to the job

after discharge or release fromactive duty. Re-employment

rights are provided for

those who served in the active duty or reservecomponents of the armed forces. To be re-employed, four requirements must be met:

(1) The person must give advance notice ofmilitary service to the employer;

(2) The cumulative absence from the civilianjob shall not exceed five years (with someexceptions);

(3) The person must submit a timelyapplication for re-employment; and

(4) The person must not have been releasedwith a dishonorable or other punitivedischarge.

The law calls for the returning veteran to beplaced in the job as if the veteran had remainedcontinuously employed. This means that theperson may be entitled to benefits that are basedon seniority, such as pensions, pay increases,and promotions. The law also prohibitsdiscrimination in hiring, promotion, or otheradvantages of employment on the basis of military service.

Applications for re-employment shouldbe given, verbally or in writing, to a personauthorized to represent the company for hiringpurposes. A record should be kept of theapplication. If there are problems gainingre-employment, the employee should contactthe Department of Labor Veterans’ Employmentand Training Service (VETS) in the employer’s

state. This applies to private sector,as well as state, local, and federalgovernment employees, includingthe Postal Service.

Get more information athttp://www.dol.gov, call theMichigan Department of Labor andEconomic Growth – Bureau ofWorkforce Programs and speak to aveterans employment representativeat 1-800-455-5228, or visithttp://michigan.gov/veteranjobs/.

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EMPLOYMENT


CONTACT YOUR LOCAL

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

AGENCY VETERANS

HOT LINE AT

1-800-455-5228 TO REACH A VETERANS

REPRESENTATIVE FOR

ASSISTANCE IN

JOB-HUNTING.

Employment – State of Michigan Programs Veterans EmploymentRepresentatives Located at Michigan Works!

Michigan Works!Service Centers, in100 locations, providelocally designed andoperated services tomeet local labor market needs. Employersseeking workers can post their job listings on the nation’s first Internet-based public laborexchange. Veterans can post their resumes forreview by employers who are recruiting workers.

The Michigan Works! system is open toeveryone for information gathering, local andstate labor market information, and self-servecareer information, including necessary skilllevels for good jobs. Special attention is givento meeting the needs of veterans and peoplewith disabilities. Each Michigan Works!Service Center has a Veterans EmploymentRepresentative or Disabled VeteransOutreach Worker responsible for assistingveterans with their employment needs.

The labor market exchange componentis called the Michigan Talent Bank.The Talent Bank can be accessed bycalling 1-800-285-WORK (9675), online athttp://michiganworks.org, or at any of theMichigan Works! Service Centers throughoutMichigan.

Converting Military Occupations toCivilian Job Titles

If you need help aligning your militaryoccupation with a civilian job, the America’sJob Bank web site is a valuable tool. Just fill outthe form and the Military Occupation Converterdoes all the work. You can visit this web site athttp://www.jobsearch.org/seeker/jobsearch/moc.

Michigan’s Opportunities forVeterans Employment (MOVE)

Project MOVE promotes a labor exchangesystem focused on identifying and servingveterans separating to Michigan for employmentopportunities that match their qualifications andcareer interests, while simultaneously meetingthe staffing needs of the business community inour state. Project MOVE provides returningveterans with detailed information about rights,benefits, and privileges to which veterans areentitled in the state and federal government.Veteran Service Specialists are available to assistwith employment, education, and training needsand to help with licensing and credentialing.The toll-free number is 1-800-455-5228. Orvisit http://michigan.gov/veteraninfo.

Unemployment Compensation Recently discharged veterans with 365 days

or more of continuous active service (unlessseparated earlier because of a service-relateddisability) and who have been discharged underconditions other than dishonorable may beeligible for unemployment compensation of up to 26 weeks. Benefits are paid from federal fundsto eligible veterans who are able and availablefor work but are unable to find employment.Extended unemployment benefits may beavailable to those who exhaust their basiceligibility.

Recently discharged persons may not beeligible if they are already receiving a retirementpension, certain educational assistance, orvocational subsistence allowances from theUSDVA.

How to File Your ClaimBy Internet: To file your new unemployment

claim or to reopen an established claim throughthe Internet, visit www.michigan.gov/uiaweekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

By Phone: To file your new claim or to reopen a claim through a toll-freetelephone number, call 1-866-500-0017using a touch-tone telephone. -11-

EMPLOYMENT


Use the call-in schedule (see page 12) whenfiling by telephone. The schedule is based on thelast two digits of your Social Security number.For example, if your Social Security number endsin 50, you would phone in your application onTuesday afternoon.

Information Needed to File a Claim: Tofile a claim, you will need your Social Securitynumber, your driver’s license number or stateidentification number or your MARVIN PIN (ifyou have one), a copy of your DD-214, and thenames and addresses of employers you haveworked for in the past 18 months, along withyour quarterly gross earnings and the last dateof employment with each employer. If you arenot a U.S. citizen or national, you will need yourAlien Registration Number and the expirationdate of your work authorization.

Time M T W Th & F

8:00 am -12:30 pm 00-15 34-48 67-81 OPEN

12:30 pm - CALL-IN

4:30 pm 16-33 49-66 82-99

If you have general questions aboutunemployment benefits, or if you have aquestion about your Claims by Mail application,call the Claimant Customer Relations Hotlineat 1-800-638-3995 weekdays from 7:00 a.m.to 7:00 p.m.

Rights to Employment ServicesA special phone number for veterans has

been established for you to voice your concerns related to employment and training. Call 1-800-455-5228 if you need more information or feel you are not receivingthe employment or training services you areentitled to. Veterans employment specialists

are also available throughout the state at the Michigan Works! Service Centers.

Or visit http://michigan.gov/veteranjobs.

Re-Employment Rights for VeteransIn 2002, the Michigan Legislature enacted a

law to strengthen the Michigan law regardingre-employment of employees after militaryservice. The act prioritized the employmentpositions in which a person would bere-employed following active service. The actspecifies that the person is entitled to theseniority and the seniority-based rights andbenefits he or she would have otherwise beenentitled to, as well as other rights provided to employees on a leave of absence. Undercertain circumstances, a person may not beentitled to re-employment under the law. Statere-employment rights, when superior orin addition to federal rights, are not supersededor diminished by federal law.

Get more information at http://michigan.gov/veteranjobs or call the MichiganDepartment of Labor and Economic Growth -Bureau of Workforce Programs and speak toa veterans employment representative at1-800-455-5228.

Veterans Preference for State JobsThe Michigan Civil Service Commission has

information on state jobs. The Civil ServiceCommission provides for a veterans hiringpreference through rules adopted by thecommission. Rule 3-8 provides for a preferencefor an eligible veteran or spouse of a veteran.

A qualifying veteran and/or spouse mustregister with the Department ofCivil Service within five years ofthe veteran’s discharge dateusing form CS-1791, andinclude the requireddocumentation.

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EMPLOYMENT


HEALTH CARE

Health Care and HospitalBenefits – U.S. Federal Programs

If you have questions about your healthcare eligibility, call your nearest health carefacility or the Health Benefits Service Centerat 1-877-222-8387 to obtain the latestinformation. Additional information onenrollment, including enrollment forms andonline applications, also can be found athttp://www1.va.gov/health/index.asp.

Financial AssessmentVeterans who want to enroll in a priority

group based on their inability to defray thecost of their care must provide the V.A. withinformation on their annual income and networth to determine whether they are belowthe annually adjusted “means test” financialthreshold. A veteran’s household incomeand assets, such as the market value of stocks,bonds, notes, individual retirement accounts,bank deposits, savings accounts, and cash, are considered when making this financialassessment.

Services Requiring Co-PaymentsSome veterans must make co-payments to

receive V.A. health care. These include:

• Inpatient care for veterans may requireco-pays depending on theirincome and service-connecteddisability status.

• Extended-care service mayrequire co-pays based oneach veteran’s financial situation.

• Medication usually requires an $8 co-pay for each 30-day supply orless of medication provided by V.A. fora condition that is not service-connected.

• Outpatient care uses a three-tiered co-pay system. The co-pay is $15 for aprimary care visit and $50 for somespecialized care. Certain services do notrequire a co-pay.

Overseas BenefitsV.A. will pay for medical services for the

treatment of service-connected disabilities and related conditions for veterans living ortraveling outside the United States. Beforeusing the program, veterans living in thePhilippines should register with the V.A. officein Pasay City, phone 011-632-833-4566.All other veterans living or planning to traveloutside the U.S. should register with theDenver Foreign Medical Program office. P.O. Box 65021, Denver, CO 80206-9021, USA,phone 303-331-7590.

Nursing Home CareNursing care in V.A., state, or community

nursing homes may be provided for veteranswho are not acutely ill and not in need ofhospital care. Veterans generally must bemedically stable, have a condition thatrequires inpatient nursing home care, and beassessed to be in need of nursing home careby an appropriate medical provider. They alsomust meet the eligibility requirements for thehome to which they are applying. For V.A.

nursing homes, they may have to paya co-payment. V.A. social workers

at local V.A. medical centers canhelp interpret eligibility and

co-payment requirements.


Domiciliary CareDomiciliary care provides rehabilitative and

long-term, health-maintenance care for veteranswho require minimal medical care but do notneed the skilled nursing services provided innursing homes. A Domiciliary also providesrehabilitative care for veterans who arehomeless. The V.A. may provide domiciliary careto veterans whose annual income does notexceed the maximum annual rate of a V.A.pension, or to veterans the V.A. determines haveno adequate means of support. The co-paymentsfor extended-care services apply to domiciliarycare. Call your nearest benefits office or healthcare facility to obtain the latest information.

Outpatient Pharmacy ServicesOutpatient pharmacy services are provided

free to:

(1) veterans with a service-connecteddisability of 50 percent or more;

(2) veterans receiving medication for service-connected conditions;

(3) veterans whose annual income does notexceed the maximum annual rate of theV.A. pension.

(4) veterans enrolled in priority group 6 whoreceive medication for service-connectedconditions;

(5) veterans receiving medication forconditions related to sexual trauma while serving on active duty;

(6) certain veterans receiving medication fortreatment of cancer of the head or neck;

(7) veterans receiving medication for a V.A.-approved research project; and

(8) former prisoners of war.

Other veterans will be charged aco-payment of $8 for each 30-day or

less supply of medication.

Outpatient Dental TreatmentOutpatient dental treatment provided by V.A.

includes examinations and the full spectrum ofdiagnostic, surgical, restorative, and preventiveprocedures. The following veterans may receivecare:

(1) veterans having service-connected andcompensable dental disabilities orconditions;

(2) former prisoners of war; (3) veterans with service-connected,

noncompensable dental conditions as a result of combat wounds or serviceinjuries;

(4) veterans with nonservice-connected dental conditions determined by V.A. to be aggravating a medical problem;

(5) veterans having service-connectedconditions rated as permanently andtotally disabling;

(6) veterans participating in a vocationalrehabilitation program;

(7) certain homeless veterans; (8) veterans with nonservice-connected dental

conditions who received dental treatmentwhile an inpatient in a V.A. facility; and

(9) veterans requiring treatment for dentalconditions clinically determined to becomplicating a medical condition currentlyunder treatment.

V.A. Disability CompensationV.A. disability compensation is a monetary

benefit paid to veterans who are disabled byinjury or disease incurred or aggravated duringactive military service. The service of the veteranmust have been terminated through separation ordischarge under conditions that were other thandishonorable. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number ofdependents, and is paid monthly.

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HEALTH CARE


V.A. Disability Compensation – 2007

Veterans with disability ratings between30 percent and 100 percent are eligible forallowances for a spouse and for each minorchild, child 18-23 years of age attending school,child if disabled before 18 years of age, anddependent parent. The amount depends on thedisability rating.

Receiving Benefit PaymentsV.A. offers three methods for receiving benefit

payments. Most veterans and beneficiariesreceive their payments by direct deposit throughan electronic funds transfer to their bank, savingsand loan, or credit union accounts. Recipientsmay also choose to receive benefits by openingan Electronic Transfer Account or by check. Tochoose a payment method, veterans andbeneficiaries should call V.A.’s toll-free helplineat 1-877-838-2778, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Central Standard Time.

PensionsVeterans with low incomes who are

permanently and totally disabled, or are age 65and older, may be eligible for monetary supportif they have 90 days or more of active militaryservice, at least one day of which was during a

period of war. (Veterans who entered active dutyon or after September 8, 1980, or officers whoentered active duty on or after October 16, 1981,may have to meet a longer minimum period ofactive duty.) The veteran’s discharge must havebeen under conditions other than dishonorableand their disability must be for reasons otherthan their own willful misconduct. Payments aremade to bring the veteran’s total income,including other retirement or Social Securityincome, to a level set by Congress.Unreimbursed medical expenses may reducecountable income for V.A. purposes.

Social Security Benefits for Military Personnel

Monthly retirement, disability, and survivorbenefits under Social Security may be available.Like most civilian workers, current militarypersonnel pay Social Security taxes and earnSocial Security coverage. The number of creditsan individual needs to qualify for Social Securitydepends on his or her age. For example, if aperson becomes disabled before age 24, then heor she would generally need only about one anda half years of recent work.

Social Security disability benefits areexpedited for injured military service personnel,regardless of where or how the injury occurred.If the wounded service member has sufficientwork, then Social Security must decide whetherhe or she meets Social Security’s definition ofdisability. Basically, if the person cannot workbecause of a physical or mental condition that isexpected to last at least one year, then he or shemay be eligible for Social Security disabilitybenefits.

For further information, call 1-800-772-1213or visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

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HEALTH CARE


Disability Percentage Monthly Payment

10 percent $0.115

20 percent 225

30 percent 348

40 percent 501

50 percent 712

60 percent 901

70 percent 1,135

80 percent 1,319

90 percent 1,483

100 percent 2,471

Figures are adjusted annually for inflation.

Gulf War, Depleted Uranium, Agent Orange, and Ionizing RadiationRegistry Programs

V.A. has developed databases called registriesto help analyze the type of health conditionsbeing reported by veterans who served in theGulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom; wereexposed to depleted uranium; claim exposure toAgent Orange during the Vietnam War (between1962 and 1975), while serving in Korea in 1968or 1969, or other exposure while testing,transporting, or spraying herbicides; claimexposure to atomic radiation; or were treatedwith nasopharyngeal (NP) radium during militaryservice. Veterans wishing to participate shouldcontact the nearest V.A. health care facility foran examination.

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Program

The Home Improvements and StructuralAlterations Program provides funding for eligibleveterans to make home improvements necessaryfor the continuation of treatment or for disabilityaccess to the home and essential lavatory andsanitary facilities. Home improvement benefitsup to $4,100 for service-connected reasons andup to $1,200 for nonservice-connected reasonsmay be provided. For application information,contact the prosthetic representative at thenearest V.A. medical center or outpatient clinic(see page 19).

Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund

The Michigan Assistive Technology LoanFund allows people with disabilities and seniors(or their family members) to purchase assistivetechnology devices or services, includingmodification of vehicles and homes. Loans may

also cover the cost of training to use thepurchased equipment, warranties, and

service agreements.

To apply for a loan to purchase any item orpiece of equipment that will help you improveyour independence and overall quality of life,contact the Michigan Assistive Technology LoanFund at 1-800-828-2714.

Health Care and HospitalBenefits – State of Michigan Michigan Veterans Homes

A unit of the Michigan Department of Militaryand Veterans Affairs, the Grand Rapids Homefor Veterans provides physician care; skillednursing care services; social work care;nutritional care; physical, occupational, speech,and rehabilitation therapy programs; andprograms for Alzheimer’s and special needs care for qualified disabled veterans.

A second veterans home, the D.J. JacobettiMichigan Home for Veterans, is located inMarquette. This Upper Peninsula home providesphysician coverage for a variety of services aswell as additional services on a fee-for-servicebasis. The home has a domiciliary unit, skillednursing care, basic nursing care, and a specialneeds unit for qualified disabled veterans. Forfurther information, veterans may wish to contactthe Grand Rapids Home for Veterans directly at1-800-642-4838 or the D.J. Jacobetti MichiganHome for Veterans at 1-800-433-6760.

You may also contact the Veterans AffairsDirectorate of the Michigan Department ofMilitary and Veterans Affairs atwww.michigan.gov/dmva/.

V.A. Center for Women VeteransThe Center for Women Veterans is the primary

advisor to the Secretary for Veterans Affairs on allmatters related to programs, issues, andinitiatives for and affecting women veterans.

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HEALTH CARE


The mission of the Center for WomenVeterans is:

• to ensure women veterans have access toV.A. benefits and services;

• to ensure that V.A. health care and benefitsprograms are responsive to the gender-specific needs of women veterans;

• to perform outreach to improve womenveterans’ awareness of V.A. services,benefits, and eligibility; and

• to ensure women veterans are treated withdignity and respect.

Some of the services for women veteransare Outreach to Women Veterans, Health Carefor Women Veterans, Sexual Trauma Counseling,and Comprehensive Health Care Centers locatedat www1.va.gov/womenvet/.

CounselingVeterans may need help after they return

home from war. Friends and family who havenot shared similar experiences may be unable tounderstand how they can help. There areresources that veterans have available to helpcope with the impact of war once back home.Families who have lost loved ones in the militarymay also experience grief beyond their ability tocope with alone. Help is available for thesefamily members as well.

The Department of Veterans Affairs providesreadjustment counseling services throughcommunity-based Vet Centers. This counseling isdesigned to help combat veterans readjust tocivilian life. Programs are available addressingmilitary sexual trauma, post-traumatic stressdisorder, or help with any other military-relatedissue that affects functioning within the family,work, school, or other areas of everyday life,among other programs.

Veterans who served on active duty in acombat theater during World War II, the KoreanWar, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, orother specific campaigns including currentcampaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan and the GlobalWar on Terror may be eligible.

Veterans may wish to contact the nearest VetCenter or visit http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/.

Veterans eligible for V.A. medical care mayapply for substance abuse treatment. Contact thenearest V.A. medical facility to apply. Seecontact information on page 19 of thisbooklet.

Bereavement counseling is available to allfamily members including spouses, children,parents, and siblings of servicemembers whodied while on active duty. Information isavailable by calling (202) 273-9116 or by e-mail at [email protected]/.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder According to the National Center for Post-

Traumatic Stress Disorder, the condition knownas Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is apsychiatric disorder that can occur following theexperience or witnessing of life-threateningevents such as military combat, natural disasters,terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violentpersonal assaults like rape. Most survivors oftrauma return to normal given a little time.However, some people will have stress reactionsthat do not go away on their own, or may evenget worse over time. These individuals maydevelop PTSD. People who suffer from PTSDoften relive the experience through nightmaresand flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feeldetached or estranged, and these symptoms canbe severe enough and last long enough tosignificantly impair the person’s daily life.

PTSD is marked by clear biological changesas well as psychological symptoms. PTSD iscomplicated by the fact that it frequently occursin conjunction with related disorders such asdepression, substance abuse, problems ofmemory and cognition, and other problems ofphysical and mental health. The disorder is alsoassociated with impairment of the person’sability to function in social or family life,including occupational instability,marital problems and divorces, familydiscord, and difficulties in parenting. -17-

HEALTH CARE


About 30 percent of the men and womenwho have spent time in war zones experiencePTSD. An additional 20 to 25 percent have hadpartial PTSD at some point in their lives. Morethan half of all male Vietnam veterans andalmost half of all female Vietnam veterans haveexperienced “clinically serious stress reactionsymptoms.” PTSD has also been detected amongveterans of the Gulf War, with some estimatesrunning as high as 8 percent.

The National Center for Post-Traumatic StressDisorder web site is http://www.ncptsd.va.gov.

If you are a veteran or a spouse of a veteranwho wants to learn more about Post-TraumaticStress, you may also call your nearestV.A. Medical facility (see page 19) or contact oneof the Vet Centers listed below:

Dearborn Vet Center 2881 Monroe StreetDearborn, MI 48124313-277-1428, Ext. 553

Detroit Vet Center4161 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201313-831-6509

Grand Rapids Vet Center1940 Eastern Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507616-243-0385

Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a wound

caused by direct or indirect involvement with animprovised explosive device (IED), attacks bymortars, grenades, bullets, car accidents, or falls.It is sometimes called the invisible woundbecause the injury can be sustained withoutvisible external wounds. The extent of damagefrom TBI might not be realized until after thesoldier, Marine, airman, or sailor is back home.Further, the symptoms may not be recognized asTBI and may even be confused with PTSD.

Visit the state TBI web site at www.michigan.gov.tbi for

information and links to resources ofinterest to veterans.

Homeless VeteransVeterans Housing Program –Volunteers of America

The Veterans Housing Program has greatlyexpanded housing and other communityresources to a significantly underservedpopulation. Veterans may participate in theprogram for 18 months and are offered thefollowing services: case management, individualand group counseling, referrals for substanceabuse and medical treatment, budgetingassistance, job interviewing and placement, andanger management. Upon graduation, aftercareservices are offered for six months.

These services are being provided incollaboration with the Ingham County HealthDepartment, Battle Creek V.A. Medical Center,Michigan State University, Advent HouseMinistries, Ann Arbor V.A. Medical Center,and the Michigan Works! system.

Eligible participants must be a homelessveteran and have, at minimum, a generaldischarge under honorable conditions.

In Lansing, Volunteers of America operates a50-bed overnight emergency shelter for men.For more information about the VeteransHousing Program, please contact:

Daleth Jean-Jules, MSSW, CSWProgram Coordinator430 N. Larch Street, Lansing, MI 48912517-484-4414, Ext. 119

Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness15851 S. Old US-27Building 30, Suite 315Lansing, MI 48906Phone: 517-485-6536Fax: 517-485-6682E-mail: [email protected]

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HEALTH CARE


HEALTH CARE


Ann Arbor 2215 Fuller Road 48105734-769-7100

Battle Creek 5500 Armstrong Road 49015269-966-5600

Benton Harbor115 Main Street 49022269-934-9123

Detroit 4646 John R Street 48201313-576-1000

Flint G-3267 Beecher Road 48532810-720-2913

Gaylord 806 South Otsego 49735989-732-6555

Grand Rapids 3019 Coit Avenue, N.E. 49505616-365-9575

Hancock 890 Campus Drive 49930906-482-7762

Iron Mountain 325 East H Street 49801906-774-33001-800-215-8262

Ironwood 930 Cloverland Drive 49938906-932-0032

Jackson 400 Hinckley Boulevard Suite 300 49203517-782-7415

Kincheloe16523 S. Water Tower #1 49783906-495-3030

Lansing 2025 S. Washington 48910517-267-3925

Marquette 425 Fisher Street 49855906-226-4618

Menominee 1101 11th Avenue, Suite 2 49858906-863-1286

Muskegon 165 E. Apple Avenue Suite 201 49442231-725-4105

Oscoda 5671 Skeel Avenue Suite 4 48750989-747-0026

Pontiac 1701 Baldwin Suite 101 48340248-409-0585

Saginaw 1500 Weiss Street 48602989-497-2500

Sault Ste. Marie 16523 S. Watertower Drive 49788906-495-3030

Traverse City 3271 Racquet Club Drive 49684231-932-9720

Yale 7470 Broadway Road 48097810-387-3211

Michigan V.A. Medical Facilities and Outpatient ClinicsVarious U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities operate in Michigan. They arelisted below by the city in which they are located.

The State of Michigan operates two veterans homes at the following locations:

Grand Rapids Home for Veterans 3000 Monroe Avenue, N.W.Grand Rapids, MI 49505616-364-5300 • 1-800-642-4838

D. J. Jacobetti Michigan Home for Veterans425 FisherMarquette, MI 49855906-226-3576 • 1-800-433-6760

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HOME LOANSAND TAX CREDITS

Federal Benefits – Home Loan Guaranties

Veterans Affairs loan guaranties may bemade to service members, veterans, reservists,and unmarried surviving spouses for thepurchase of homes, condominiums, andmanufactured homes and for refinancingloans. V.A. guaranties part of the total loan,permitting the purchaser to obtain a mortgagewith a competitive interest rate, even withouta down payment, if the lender agrees. V.A.requires that a down payment be made forthe purchase of a manufactured home. V.A.also requires a down payment for a home orcondominium if the purchase price exceedsthe reasonable value of the property or theloan has a graduated payment feature. With aV.A. guaranty, the lender is protected againstloss up to the amount of the guaranty if theborrower fails to repay the loan. A V.A. loanguaranty can be used to:

(1) Buy or build a home.

(2) Buy a residential condominium.

(3) Repair, alter, or improve a home.

(4) Refinance an existing home loan.

(5) Buy a manufactured home with orwithout a lot.

(6) Buy and improve a manufactured homelot.

(7) Install a solar heating or cooling systemor other weatherization improvements.

(8) Buy a home and install energy-efficientimprovements.

EligibilityApplications involving other than

honorable discharges will usually requirefurther development by V.A.

Wartime - Service during:

WWII 09/16/40 to 07/25/47

Korean 06/27/50 to 01/31/55

Vietnam 08/05/64 to 05/07/75; or02/28/61 for veterans whoserved in Republic of Vietnam

Persian Gulf Era 08/90 to 09/10/01*

You must have at least 90 days on activeduty and been discharged under other thandishonorable conditions. If you served lessthan 90 days, you may be eligible ifdischarged for a service-connected disability.

Peacetime - Service during periods:

07/26/47 to 06/26/50

02/01/55 to 08/04/64

05/08/75 to 09/07/80 (for enlisted) to 10/16/81 (for officers)

You must have served at least 181 days ofcontinuous active duty and been dischargedunder other than dishonorable conditions. If youserved fewer than 181 days, you may be eligibleif discharged for a service-connected disability.

*Veterans of the Gulf War era mustgenerally complete 24 months of continuousactive duty or the full period (at least 90 days)for which they were called to active duty, andbe discharged under conditions other thandishonorable.


FOR INFORMATION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR LOANS,CONTACT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

AFFAIRS (AGENCY LISTING #3 ON PAGE 35).

Exceptions are allowed if the veterancompleted at least 90 days of active duty but wasdischarged earlier than 24 months for:

(1) hardship;

(2) the convenience of the government;

(3) reduction-in-force;

(4) certain medical conditions; or

(5) service-connected disability.

Reservists and National Guard members areeligible if they were activated after August 1,1990, served at least 90 days, and received anhonorable discharge.

Until the Gulf War era is ended, personson active duty are eligible after serving90 continuous days.

If you have questions about the V.A. HomeLoan Program, contact your county V.A. office or call 1-877-455-5228.

Eligible veterans must have a good credit rating,have an income sufficient to support mortgagepayments, and agree to live on the property. To obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, complete V.A. Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate ofEligibility for V.A. Home Loan, and mail to: V.A. Eligibility Center, P.O. Box 20729, Winston-Salem, NC 27120. You can find moreinformation on eligibility and addresses for thecenters by contacting your local V.A. office or byvisiting V.A.’s loan guaranty eligibility page athttp://www.homeloans.va.gov/eligibility.htm.

Specially Adapted HomesCertain veterans with service-connected

disabilities may be entitled to a grant from V.A.to assist in either building a new speciallyadapted home or in purchasing an existing hometo modify and remodel to meet their disability-related requirements (a 702 Housing Grant).

V.A. may approve a grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying, oradapting existing homes or paying to reduceindebtedness on a previously owned home thatis being adapted, up to a maximum of $50,000.In certain instances, the full grant may beapplied toward remodeling costs.

State of Michigan BenefitsTax Benefits

The Home Heating Credit is designed toassist low-income families and seniors in payingtheir home heating costs. Homesteads can be arented apartment or a mobile home on a lot ina mobile home park. The final date to file for a Home Heating Credit is September 30.

The Michigan Homestead Property TaxCredit is available if the homestead is locatedin Michigan, the owner was a Michigan residentat least six months in the prior year, and theowner pays property taxes or rents a Michiganhomestead. People may not claim a propertytax credit if their household income is more

than $82,650. The final date to filefor a Homestead Property Tax Creditis April 16. For information on thehomestead credit, call 517-334-7076.For other property tax matters, call517-373-0500.

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HOME LOANS AND TAX CREDITS


CONTACT THE

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT

OF TREASURY FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION

ON THE

HOMESTEAD

PROPERTY TAX CREDIT

(AGENCY LISTING #10 ON PAGE 36).

The Disabled Veteran HomesteadExemption provides that certain honorablydischarged veterans with a service-connecteddisability (or their surviving unremarriedspouses) who received monetary assistance fromthe federal government for specially adaptedhomes (a 702 Housing Grant) may apply for anexemption for their homestead from propertytaxation. A qualified veteran must submit anaffidavit and a certificate from the V.A.confirming the monetary assistance for speciallyadapted housing. Contact your townshipsupervisor or other assessing officer for furtherinformation and deadlines.

Homestead ExemptionThere is a 24-mill statewide property tax levy

used for K-12 education funding. Principalresidences are exempt from 18 mills of this taxlevy. Each individual or married couple mayclaim only one (principal) residence in the stateas their principal residence, thus they may claimonly one homestead exemption.

Annual property assessment increases arecapped at 5 percent or the rate of inflation,whichever is less. These assessments are“uncapped” after the property is sold, then taxedat the property’s fair market value.

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HOME LOANS AND TAX CREDITS


LIFE INSURANCE

There are a number of current V.A. LifeInsurance Programs offered to our veterans.

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

• Active duty members and reservists ofthe uniformed services.

• Automatically insured for $400,000effective September 1, 2005 underServicemembers’ Group Life Insurance(SGLI).

• Effective November 1, 2001,Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurancehas also added a provision for automaticspousal and dependent child coverage.Spouses are covered for a maximum of$100,000 on a paid-premium basis anddependent children are covered for amaximum of $10,000 free. Spousalcoverage can be decreased or declinedby request of the insured servicemember.

Traumatic Injury Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance

Effective December 1, 2005 TraumaticInjury SGLI coverage provides for one-sumpayments ranging from $25,000 to $100,000for certain severe physical traumas, such as loss of limbs or sensory organs, severeparalysis, etc., as defined by the Office ofServicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI)and the Department of Defense (DOD).

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

• Full-time SGLI coverage upon releasefrom active duty or the reserves afterAugust 1974.

• Part-time SGLI coverage for veterans who incur a disability or aggravate a pre-existing disability during a reserveperiod which renders them uninsurableat standard premium rates.

• Members of the individual Ready Reserveand inactive National Guard.

• Individuals entitled to SGLI coverage canconvert to VGLI by submitting thepremium within 120 days of separatingfrom active duty or the reserves. After121 days, the individual may be grantedVGLI provided initial premium andevidence of insurability are submittedwithin one year after termination of theveteran’s SGLI coverage.

• Individuals with full-time SGLI coveragewho are totally disabled at the time ofseparation and whose service makesthem eligible for VGLI may now begranted VGLI coverage free of premiumsfor two years following separation.Application for VGLI must, however, bemade as usual, with supporting evidenceof total disability, to the OSGLI center.The amount of VGLI carried cannotexceed the amount of SGLI previouslyheld.

• Spousal and dependent coverage cannotat present be carried over into theVeterans’ Group Life Insurance program;however, spouses have the option ofconverting their coverage to a private lifeinsurance policy with a participatingcompany within 120 days of theservicemember leaving active duty or ifthe servicemember drops the primarySGLI coverage.


Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance(SDVI)

• Individuals with service-connecteddisabilities but who are otherwise in goodhealth may apply to V.A. for up to $10,000in life insurance coverage at standardinsurance rates within two years from thedate of being notified of an original service-connected status (increases of pre-existingratings alone do not qualify).

• Limited to veterans who left service afterApril 24, 1951.

• Veterans who are totally disabled andthereby not able to follow substantiallygainful employment may apply for a waiverof premiums if the disability began beforeage 65.

• For those veterans who are eligible for thiswaiver and who are under age 65,additional coverage of up to $20,000 maybe available upon application. Premiumscannot be waived on this additionalinsurance.

Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance(VMLI)

• The maximum amount of mortgage lifeinsurance available for those granted aspecially adapted housing grant is $90,000.Protection is automatic, unless the veterandeclines.

• Premiums are automatically deducted fromV.A. benefit payments or paid direct, if theveteran does not draw compensation andwill continue until the mortgage has beenliquidated, or the home is sold.

• If a mortgage is disposed of, VMLI may beobtained on the mortgage of another home.

• Payment is to the current mortgage lender.

Assistance With Government Life Insurance Programs

• Information could also be obtainedregarding:

• Family Service Members’ Group LifeInsurance (FSGLI)

• Increasing Insurance

• Reinstating Lapsed Insurance

• Converting Term Policies

• Modified Life Policy

• Disability Provisions

• Borrowing on Policies

• Insurance Dividends

• Those insurance programs that pay dividends pay on the policyanniversary date.

• The Internal Revenue Service hasannounced that the interest oninsurance dividends left on depositwith V.A. is not taxable. For details onthis ruling, contact the IRS.

• Call the V.A. Insurance Center inPhiladelphia toll-free, 1-800-669-8477 orvisit www.insurance.va.gov. Specialistsare available between the hours of 8:30 a.m.and 6 p.m., Eastern Time, to discusspremium payments, insurance dividends,changes of address, policy loans, namingbeneficiaries and reporting the death of theinsured. After hours, a caller may leave arecorded message, to be answered on thenext workday.

• If the policy number is unknown, send theveteran’s V.A. file number, date of birth,Social Security number, military serialnumber or military service branch and datesof service to:

Department of Veterans AffairsRegional Office and Insurance CenterP.O. Box 13399Philadelphia, PA 19101-24-

LIFE INSURANCE


DEPENDENT AND SURVIVORBENEFITS

Burial Benefits Headstones and Markers

Upon request, V.A. furnishes headstones ormarkers at no charge for graves in cemeteriesaround the world for service members whodie while on active duty and for eligibleveterans. V.A. also provides headstones ormarkers for spouses and dependents buried instate or national veterans cemeteries, but notfor those buried in private cemeteries. Toapply and to obtain specific information onavailable styles, contact the cemetery wherethe headstone or marker is to be placed. When burial occurs in a private cemetery, anapplication for a government-furnishedheadstone or marker must be made to V.A.The government will ship the headstone ormarker free of charge, but will not pay for itsplacement. To apply, mail a completed V.A. Form 40-1330, along with a copy of theveteran’s military service discharge documentand death certificate to Memorial ProgramsService (41A1), Department of Veterans Affairs,5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903,or fax documents to 1-800-455-7143. Do notsend original discharge documents, as theywill not be returned. For more information andinstructions, visit http://www.cem.va.gov.

Presidential Memorial CertificatesCertificates signed by the President are

issued upon request to recognize the militaryservice of honorably discharged deceasedveterans. Next of kin, relatives, and friendsmay request Presidential Memorial Certificatesin person at any V.A. regional office or bymail: Presidential Memorial Certificates (41A1C),

Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22143-3903.Or fax documents to 202-565-8054.

There is no time limit for requesting thesecertificates, but requests should include a copy,not the original, of the deceased veteran’sdischarge document and clearly indicate towhat address the certificate should be sent.Additional information, V.A. Form 40-0247,and a sample certificate can be found athttp://www.cem.va.gov/pmc.htm.

Burial FlagsV.A. will furnish a United States burial flag

for memorialization of:

(1) Generally, veterans with an other thandishonorable discharge.

(2) Veterans who were entitled to retiredpay for service in the reserves, or wouldhave been entitled if over age 60.

(3) Members or former members of theSelected Reserve who served their initialobligation, or were discharged for adisability incurred or aggravated in lineof duty, or died while a member of theSelected Reserve.

Additional information and V.A. Form 21-2008 can be foundat http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/bbene/bflags.asp.


Reimbursement of Burial ExpensesV.A. will pay a burial allowance up to $2,000

if the veteran’s death is service-connected. Insuch cases, the person who bore the veteran’sburial expenses may claim reimbursement fromV.A. In some instances, V.A. also will pay thecost of transporting the remains of a service-disabled veteran to the national cemetery nearestthe home of the deceased that has availablegravesites. There is no time limit for filingreimbursement claims in service-connecteddeath cases.

V.A. will pay a $300 burial and funeral expenseallowance for veterans who, at the time of death,were entitled to receive a pension orcompensation or would have been entitledto compensation if they weren’t receivingmilitary retirement pay. For information onmonetary benefits, call 1-800-827-1000.Additional information about burial andmemorial benefits may be obtained at any V.A.national cemetery, regional office, or on theInternet (http://www.cem.va.gov). To checkon the status of an application for a headstone ormarker, call 1-800-697-6947.

National Cemeteries in MichiganThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

currently has two national cemeteries inMichigan:

The Fort Custer National Cemetery15501 Dickman Road Augusta, MI 49012 Phone: 269-731-4164Fax: 269-731-2428

Great Lakes National Cemetery4200 Belford RoadHolly, MI 48442Phone: 248-328-0386 or 1-866-348-8603Fax: 248-328-0612

State Veterans’ Burial ExpensesUnder Michigan law, eligible veterans (or the

wife or widow of a qualified veteran) who meetresidency and asset limits may qualify for $300for burial expenses paid by the County Board ofCommissioners or the Board of County Auditors.The Soldiers Relief Commission of each countyhas the responsibility for investigating each claim.

Survivor Benefits for Spouse and Children – Federal BenefitsDeath Pension

V.A. provides pensions to low-incomesurviving spouses and unmarried children ofdeceased veterans with wartime service.

Spouses must not have remarried andchildren must be under age 18, or under age 23 if attending a V.A.-approved school, orhave become permanently incapable of self-support because of disability before age 18.

The veteran must have been discharged underconditions other than dishonorable and musthave had 90 days or more of active militaryservice, at least one day of which was during aperiod of war, or a service-connected disabilityjustifying discharge. Longer periods of servicemay be required for veterans who entered activeduty on or after September 8, 1980, or October16, 1981, if an officer. If the veteran died inservice, but not in the line of duty, deathpension may be payable if the veteran hadcompleted at least two years of honorableservice. Children who become incapable of self-support because of a disability before age 18may be eligible for a death pension as long asthe condition exists, unless the child marries orthe child’s income exceeds the applicable limit.

A surviving spouse may be entitled to ahigher income limit if living in a nursing home,in need of the aid and attendance of anotherperson, or is permanently housebound. Formore information, call 1-800-827-1000 or visithttp://www.va.gov.-26-

DEPENDENT AND SURVIVOR BENEFITS


Dependency and IndemnityCompensation (DIC)

For a survivor to be eligible for Dependencyand Indemnity Compensation (DIC), theveteran’s death must have resulted from one of the following causes:

(1) A disease or injury incurred or aggravatedin the line of duty while on active duty oractive duty for training.

(2) An injury incurred or aggravated in theline of duty while on inactive dutytraining.

(3) A service-connected disability or acondition directly related to a service-connected disability.

DIC may also be paid to survivors of veteranswho were totally disabled from service-connected conditions at the time of death, eventhough their service-connected disabilities didnot cause their deaths.

The survivor qualifies if the veteran was:

(1) Continuously rated totally disabled for aperiod of 10 years immediately precedingdeath.

(2) Continuously rated totally disabled fromthe date of military discharge and for atleast five years immediately precedingdeath.

(3) Or a former POW who died after September 30, 1999, and who wascontinuously rated totally disabled for aperiod of at least one year immediatelypreceding death.

Payments will be offset by any amountreceived from judicial proceedings brought onby the veteran’s death. The discharge must havebeen under conditions other than dishonorable.

Surviving spouses of veterans who died on orafter January 1, 1993, receive a basic rate, plusadditional payments for dependent children, forthe aid and attendance of another person if theyare patients in a nursing home or require theregular assistance of another person, or if theyare permanently housebound.

Add $228 if the veteran was totally disabledeight continuous years prior to death. Add $250to the additional allowance for dependentchildren for the initial two years of entitlementfor DIC awards commencing on or after January 1,2005.

Surviving spouses of veterans who died priorto January 1, 1993, receive an amount based onthe deceased’s military pay grade.

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DEPENDENT AND SURVIVOR BENEFITS


FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES ANDVETERANS RESOURCES

Programs – State of MichiganMichigan Veterans Trust FundEmergency Grant Program

Financial aid is available to Michiganveterans with at least 180 days of active dutyin a wartime period who were dischargedunder other than dishonorable conditions tomeet sudden, temporary, unforeseen needs.Examples of such needs include delay inunemployment benefits or other income,unexpected hospitalization not covered byinsurance, finding or keeping shelter, andcosts involved in attending family funerals.Contact your county V.A. office (see page 30)or call 517-373-3130 or visit their web site athttp://www.michigan.gov/dmva.

State of Michigan – Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services (seecounty contacts on page 31) provides cashassistance to families with children andpregnant women to help them pay for livingexpenses such as rent, heat, utilities, clothing,food, and personal care items. Applicants andrecipients may be assigned to Work Firstfor assistance in finding a job or developingneeded job skills. Help with transportation,child care, and other needs related toemployment and training may be provided.

Soldiers Relief CommissionIn some counties, emergency relief grants

are available to Michigan veterans who do notmeet Michigan Veterans Trust Fund criteria.

Funds are limited, so the commissionmakes an effort to refer veterans who

are eligible to other sources of financialassistance. Contact your county V.A. office.

Contact a county veterans counselor atwww.macvc.net for assistance. See page 32for phone numbers of county counselors.

You may also consult your local phonebookfor county government. Usually this is handledby the office of Veteran Affairs.

Michigan National Guard Family Fund

The Michigan National Guard Family Fundwas created to assist Air and Army NationalGuard families who experience financialdifficulties with temporary emergency financialassistance, and to fund programs and trainingto maintain and improve the quality of life ofour Michigan National Guard families. Thefund provides up to a $500 grant to soldiersand airmen and their family members whoencounter financial hardships.

What constitutes a need? Emergency lossof income through activation for military duty;inability to maintain employment due toinjury, sudden illness, or job loss; unexpectedmedical expenses; pay problems; or theaccumulation of legitimate bills (e.g., rent,mortgage, electric, oil, gas, etc.). Also includedis the inability to pay for basic needs such asfood, shelter, utilities, clothing, medical bills,and transportation due to unforeseencircumstances. An application must besubmitted with the necessary documentation.For an application form, goto http://www.michguard.com.


Other Programs: Energy Assistance Programs

The Low Income HomeEnergy Assistance Program(LIHEAP) is federal moneygiven to each state to assistlow-income families withenergy costs. In Michigan, theLIHEAP block grant is used forthe following programs:

• Home Heating Credit

• State Emergency Relief (SER)

• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

For more information, visit the Department ofHuman Services at http://www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance.

Additional ResourcesThe Army Emergency Relief

(http://www.aerhq.org) and the Air ForceAid Society (http://www.afas.org) are otheravailable resources. You can obtain additionalinformation at these sites or by contactingthe Selfridge Community Services office at586-307-4514. This office provides financialcounseling and assistance for service memberswho are currently on active duty.

Within local communities, you alsohave your local American Red Cross(http://www.redcross.org) as well as veteransorganizations such as local VFWs and AmericanLegions (see p. 33 for list), and churches.Each organization has its own set ofprocedures to follow to obtain assistance,so please contact the resource nearest youfor requirements.

The Michigan Association of County VeteransCounselors (MACVC) may be able to assistveterans and their families in obtaining county,state, and federal benefits to which they areentitled. See page 32 for phone numbers ofcounty counselors. The MACVC web site islocated at www.macvc.net and contains linksto the county counselors and other information.

You may request information by e-mail [email protected].

Or write:

Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors

2650 LaFranier RoadTraverse City, MI 49686-8972

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FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES AND VETERANS RESOURCES


-30-



Michigan Veterans Trust Fund RepresentativesContact Information by County

1 Alcona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-354-96712 Alger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-387-28373 Allegan . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-673-0501, ext. 30104 Alpena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-354-96715 Antrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-533-84996 Arenac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-654-25667 Baraga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-355-22098 Barry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-948-48819 Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-895-4189

10 Benzie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-882-001111 Berrien . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-983-7111, ext. 851012 Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-279-432213 Calhoun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-969-673414 Cass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-445-4472, ext. 331115 Charlevoix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-547-722016 Cheboygan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-627-8833/880317 Chippewa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-635-637018 Clare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-539-3651/327319 Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-433120 Crawford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-348-564521 Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-786-722822 Dickinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-774-282023 Eaton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-543-561624 Emmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-348-178025 Genesee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-257-306826 Gladwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-426-489127 Gogebic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-932-363028 Grand Traverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-995-607029 Gratiot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-875-525930 Hillsdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-437-363031 Houghton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-483-499032 Huron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-269-891133 Ingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-433134 Ionia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-527-537935 Iosco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-362-872836 Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-265-381937 Isabella . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-772-0911, ext. 23538 Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-788-442439 Kalamazoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-373-528440 Kalkaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-258-337041 Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-365-389942 Keweenaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-483-4990

43 Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-745-239744 Lapeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-667-025645 Leelanau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-995-607046 Lenawee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-264-533547 Livingston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-546-633848 Luce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *49 Mackinac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-643-941150 Macomb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586-469-531551 Manistee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-723-527752 Marquette . . . . . . . . . . . 906-226-3576, ext. 39753 Mason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-843-196654 Mecosta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-592-012455 Menominee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-863-5691

in U.P. . . . . 800-575-287656 Midland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-832-684357 Missaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-839-475258 Monroe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734-240-7359/736159 Montcalm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-831-938760 Montmorency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-785-804361 Muskegon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-724-714362 Newaygo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-689-703063 Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-655-126564 Oceana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-873-869465 Ogemaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-345-517066 Ontonagon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-884-425567 Osceola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-832-945868 Oscoda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-826-606069 Otsego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-731-757670 Ottawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-399-102371 Presque Isle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-734-030272 Roscommon . . . . . . . . 989-275-6047, ext. 769873 Saginaw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-793-956074 Sanilac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-648-021275 Schoolcraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-341-366976 Shiawassee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-743-223177 St. Clair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-989-694578 St. Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-467-555779 Tuscola . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-673-8114, ext. 12880 Van Buren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-657-737681 Washtenaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734-971-219582 Wayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-224-504583 Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-775-6654

* Luce - American Legion, 1101 S. Newberry, RR 4, P.O. Box 985, Newberry, MI 49868-9350

-31-



Michigan Department of Human ServicesContact Information by County

1 Alcona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-724-62912 Alger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-387-44403 Allegan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-673-77004 Alpena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-354-72005 Antrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-533-86646 Arenac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-846-45517 Baraga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-353-47008 Barry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-948-32009 Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-895-2100

10 Benzie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-882-444311 Berrien . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-934-200012 Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-279-420013 Calhoun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-966-128414 Cass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-445-020015 Charlevoix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-547-447116 Cheboygan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-627-850017 Chippewa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-632-337618 Clare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-539-426019 Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-224-550020 Crawford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-348-769121 Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-786-539422 Dickinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-774-148423 Eaton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-543-086024 Emmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-348-160025 Genesee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-760-220026 Gladwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-426-330027 Gogebic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-663-620028 Grand Traverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-941-390029 Gratiot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-875-518130 Hillsdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-439-220031 Houghton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-482-050032 Huron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-269-920133 Ingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-940034 Ionia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-527-520035 Iosco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-362-030036 Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-265-995837 Isabella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-772-840038 Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-780-740039 Kalamazoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-337-490040 Kalkaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-258-860641 Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-247-600042 Keweenaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-337-3302

43 Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-745-815944 Lapeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-667-080145 Leelanau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-256-610046 Lenawee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-264-630047 Livingston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-548-020048 Luce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-293-514449 Mackinac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-643-955050 Macomb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586-412-610051 Manistee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-723-837552 Marquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-228-969153 Mason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-845-739154 Mecosta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-796-430055 Menominee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-863-996556 Midland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-839-110057 Missaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-779-450058 Monroe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734-243-720059 Montcalm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-831-840060 Montmorency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-785-421861 Muskegon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-733-370062 Newaygo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-689-550063 Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-975-480064 Oceana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-873-725165 Ogemaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-345-513566 Ontonagon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-884-495167 Osceola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-832-410068 Oscoda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-826-400069 Otsego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-732-170270 Ottawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-394-720071 Presque Isle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-734-210872 Roscommon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-275-510773 Saginaw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-758-150074 Sanilac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-648-442075 Schoolcraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-341-211476 Shiawassee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-725-320077 St. Clair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-966-200078 St. Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-467-120079 Tuscola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-673-910080 Van Buren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-621-280081 Washtenaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734-481-200082 Wayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-456-121683 Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-779-4500



Michigan Association of County Veterans CounselorsContact Information by County

Mailing addresses may also be obtained at their web site at www.macvc.org.

1 Alcona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-724-95102 Alger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-387-16353 Alpena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-354-96714 Antrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-533-84995 Baraga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-524-54546 Barry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-948-48817 Benzie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-882-00348 Berrien . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-983-7111, ext. 81189 Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-279-4322

10 Calhoun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-969-673511 Cass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-445-447212 Charlevoix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-547-722013 Cheboygan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-627-883314 Chippewa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-635-637015 Clare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-539-365116 Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-433117 Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-786-722818 Dickinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-774-282019 Eaton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-433120 Emmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-348-178021 Genesee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-257-306822 Gladwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-426-489123 Gogebic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-932-363024 Grand Traverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-995-607025 Gratiot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-875-525826 Hillsdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-437-363027 Houghton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-482-010228 Huron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-269-891129 Ingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-433130 Ionia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-794-257331 Iosco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-362-657132 Isabella . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-772-0911, ext. 23533 Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-788-442534 Kalamazoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-373-5304

35 Kalkaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-258-337036 Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-336-349237 Lapeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-667-025638 Leelanau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-995-607039 Lenawee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-264-533540 Livingston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-546-633841 Mackinac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-643-941142 Macomb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586-469-531543 Manistee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-723-462044 Mecosta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-592-012445 Menominee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-863-569146 Midland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-832-684347 Monroe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734-240-736248 Montmorency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-785-804349 Muskegon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-722-349950 Newaygo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-689-703051 Oakland - Pontiac Office . . . . . . . 248-858-078552 Oakland - Troy Office . . . . . . . . . 248-655-125053 Oakland - Walled Lake Office . . . 248-926-336854 Ogemaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-345-517055 Ontonagon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-884-620456 Otsego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-731-757057 Presque Isle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-734-030258 Roscommon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-275-604759 Sanilac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-648-021260 Schoolcraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-341-366961 Shiawassee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-743-223162 St. Clair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810-989-694563 St. Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-467-555764 Tuscola . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-673-8114, ext. 12865 Washtenaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734-973-455366 Wayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-224-837667 Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-775-6654

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American Legion1210 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

John NelsonE-mail: [email protected]: 313-964-6640

AMVETS1227 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

David KozmaPhone: 313-964-6920

Blind Veterans Association477 H Street, NWWashington, DC 20001-2694 Phone: 202-371-8880 Fax: 202-371-8258 E-mail: [email protected] site:

http://www.bva.org

Catholic War Veterans 1225 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

Leondas GalinskasPhone: 313-226-4182

Disabled American Veterans 1200 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

Don CrullE-mail: [email protected]: 313-964-6595

Jewish War Veterans 1225 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

Jack WeissPhone: 313-226-4327

Marine Corps League 1232 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

James TuohyE-mail: [email protected]: 313-964-6830

Military Order of the Purple Heart1226 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

Cynthia CranfordE-mail: [email protected]: 313-964-6888

Paralyzed Veterans ofAmerica1233 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584Phone: 313-961-9583

Polish Legion of American Veterans 8256 E. 12 Mile RoadWarren, MI 48093

Joe LiwakE-mail:

[email protected]: 586-574-0570Fax: 586-574-0572

Veterans of Foreign Wars1215 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

Dan CrockerE-mail: [email protected]: 313-964-6510

Vietnam Veterans of America 1231 McNamara Building477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226-2584

Phil SmithE-mail:

[email protected]: 313-961-9568

Veterans Service OrganizationsNOTE: Local veterans organizations may have a service officer who can help fill out formsor advise on benefits. See list below for contact information.

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Alpha House4290 Jackson RoadAnn Arbor, MI 48103Phone: 734-822-0220Fax: 734-822-0226

Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home for Abused WomenP.O. Box 8Calumet, MI 49913Phone: 906-337-5623

Battle Creek AreaOrganizationAgainst Domestic ViolenceP.O. Box 199Battle Creek, MI 49016Phone: 616-965-6093

Bay County Women’s CenterP.O. Box 1458Bay City, MI 48706Phone: 1-800-834-2098

Branch County Coalition Against Domestic ViolenceShelterhouseP.O. Box 72Coldwater, MI 49036Phone: 517-279-7423

Cornerstone Mission1000 3rd StreetBay City, MI 48708Phone: 517-895-5061

Covenant House Michigan2959 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.Detroit, MI 48208

Phone: 313-463-2000Fax: 313-463-2001

Detroit Health Care for the Homeless2395 West Grand Boulevard Detroit, MI 48208 Phone: 313-897-2061 Fax: 313-897-7320

Downriver Community Services – Homeless Health Care Project555 St. Clair River DriveAlgonac, MI 48001Phone: 810-794-4982Fax: 810-794-7592

Emergency Shelter Services, Inc.645 Pipestone StreetBenton Harbor, MI 49022Phone: 616-925-1131Fax: 616-925-0059

Ezra House106 Mason StreetCharlevoix, MI 49720-1314Phone: 231-237-1111

Family Counseling &Children’s Services213 Toledo StreetAdrian, MI 49221Phone: 517-264-5733Crisis: 517-265-6776Fax: 517-263-6090

Gateway CommunityServicesEaton County Shelter Program240 S. CochranCharlotte, MI 48813Phone: 517-543-7350

Haven of Rest Rescue Mission148 East MichiganBattle Creek, MI 49017Phone: 616-965-1148

Inasmuch House Haven of Rest27 Green StreetBattle Creek, MI 49017Phone: 616-965-1148

New Hope Shelter814 Lynn StreetCadillac, MI 49601Phone: 231-775-3702

Safe Shelter, Inc.275 PipestoneBenton Harbor, MI 49022Phone: 616-925-2280

Salvation Army425 Republic AvenueAlma, MI 48801-2065Phone: 517-463-2864

809 Henry StreetAnn Arbor, MI 48104Phone: 734-761-7750

Shelter Association ofWashtenaw County312 West Huron StreetAnn Arbor, MI 48103Phone: 734-662-2829Fax: 734-996-3022

Homeless Shelters in Michigan

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Federal Agencies

1 Department of JusticeCivil Rights Division950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWDisability Rights Section - NYAVWashington, DC 20530Call Toll-Free: 1-800-514-0301 (voice)TTY Toll-Free: 1-800-514-0383

2 U.S. Department of Labor -Veterans Employment andTraining (USDOL/VET)3032 W. Grand Boulevard, Suite 9-550Detroit, MI 48202Phone: 313-456-3182

3 U.S. Department of VeteransAffairs (USDVA)McNamara Building, 12th Floor477 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48226Call Toll-Free: 1-800-827-1000

State AgenciesAll state agencies may be accessed on the

web at www.michigan.gov.

4 Michigan Department of Civil RightsMichigan Civil Service CommissionDetroit OfficeCadillac Place, Suite 4-400, 4th Floor3042 W. Grand BoulevardDetroit, MI 48202Phone: 313-456-4400Fax: 313-456-4411TDD: 313-456-4409

Lansing OfficeCapitol Commons400 S. Pine StreetLansing, MI 48913Phone: 517-373-3030Call Toll-Free: 1-800-788-1766Fax: 517-373-7690TDD: 517-335-0191

5 Michigan Department of Civil ServiceCapitol Commons400 S. Pine StreetLansing, MI 48909Phone: 517-373-3030TDD: 517-335-0191

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6 Michigan Department ofCommunity HealthLewis Cass Building, Sixth Floor320 S. Walnut StreetLansing, MI 48913Phone: 517-373-3740TDD: 517-373-3573

Michigan DevelopmentalDisabilities Council1033 S. Washington AvenueLansing, MI 48910Phone: 517-334-6123Fax: 517-334-7353TDD: 517-334-7354E-mail: [email protected]

7 Michigan Department of Human ServicesP.O. Box 30037Lansing, MI 48909Phone: 517-373-2035Fax: 517-335-6101E-mail: [email protected]

8 Michigan Department of Labor and Economic GrowthMichigan Commission on Disability Concerns,

which includes the Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing

201 N. Washington SquareLansing, MI 48913 Phone: 517-335-6004 T/VToll-Free: 1-877-499-6232 T/VFax: 517-335-7773

Commission on Disability ConcernsE-mail: [email protected]

Division on Deaf and Hard of HearingE-mail: [email protected]

Michigan Commission for the Blind201 N. Washington SquareLansing, MI 48913Phone: 517-373-2062E-mail: [email protected]

Bureau of Workforce Programs Project MOVE (Michigan Opportunities

for Veterans Employment)Michigan Veterans Hot LineCall Toll-Free: 1-800-455-5228

Michigan Rehabilitation Services201 N. Washington Square, 4th FloorP.O. Box 30010Lansing, MI 48909Call Toll-Free: 1-800-605-6722TTY Toll-Free: 1-888-605-6722E-mail: [email protected]

9 Michigan Department ofMilitary and Veterans Affairs Veterans Affairs Directorate7109 W. SaginawLansing, MI 48913Phone: 517-335-6523

10 Michigan Department ofTreasuryTreasury Building430 W. Allegan StreetLansing, MI 48922Phone: 517-373-3200TTY: 517-636-4999

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Additional ResourcesFederal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, 2006

If you would like more detailed informationon veteran benefits and services, you maypurchase a copy of Federal Benefits forVeterans and Dependents, 2006(Stock: Number 051-000-00228-8).

Make check ($7.00) payable to Superintendent of Documents

Send check payments to:Superintendent of Documents

P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

The booklet is also available online atwww1.vagov/opa/vadocs/

current-benefits.htm

Questions or comments? Contact theGPO Contact Center from 7:00 a.m. to9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday at 1-866-512-1800 (toll-free) or(202) 512-1800 (DC Metro area), or [email protected].

By Phone:V.A. Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-827-1000Health Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-222-8387Education Benefits . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-442-4551Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-455-5228Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-669-8477Debt Management . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-827-0648Mammography Hotline . . . . . . 1-888-492-7844Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) . . . . . . . . 1-800-829-4833

CHAMPVA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-733-8387Headstones and Markers . . . . . 1-800-697-6947Gulf War Helpline . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-749-8387Health Eligibility Center . . . . . . 1-404-235-12571644 Tullie Circle, 000000orAtlanta, GA 30329-2303 1-800-949-8387

By Computer:The V.A. Federal Benefits booklet and other V.A. information is available at: http://www.va.gov.

World Wide Web Links:V.A. Home Page

http://www.va.gov

V.A. Consumer Affairshttp://www.va.gov/customer/conaff.asp

Other Useful Sites:Arlington National Cemetery

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org

Department of Defensehttp://www.defenselink.mil

Military Funeral Honorshttp://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil

Military Recordshttp://www.archives.gov/researchroom/vetrecs

La versión en español de este folletohttp://www.va.gov/opa/feature

V.A. Benefits and Health Care Information:V.A. Compensation and Pension Benefits

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21

V.A. Benefits Online Applicationhttp://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp

Health Benefits and Serviceshttp://www.va.gov/vbs/health

Burial and Memorial Benefitshttp://www.cem.va.gov

Education Benefitshttp://www.gibill.va.gov

Employment Assistancehttp://michigan.gov/veteranjobs

V.A. Home Loan Guaranteeshttp://www.homeloans.va.gov

Board of Veterans’ Appealshttp://www.va.gov/vbs/bva

Benefits and Services Outside of the U.S.http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/foreign

TRICAREhttp://www.tricare.osd.mil

CHAMPVAhttp://www.va.gov/hac

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Forms/Documents:V.A. Forms

http://www.va.gov/forms

Additional Government Formshttp://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/otherforms.htm

DD-214 Lost Documents

A veteran who received Michigan’s WW II,Korean, or Vietnam bonus may request byletter a copy of the discharge from militaryservice from the Veterans Affairs Directorate,7109 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48913.

The Veterans Affairs Directorate also has theDD Form 214 for veterans discharged since1980 who requested their branch of militaryservice provide the State of Michigan a copyof their discharge record.

Employment Assistance:Veteran Employment

http://michigan.gov/veteranjobs

Information for Veteranshttp://www.opm.gov/veterans/index.htm

Veterans’ Preferencehttp://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm

Federal Government Job Openingshttp://www.usajobs.opm.gov

Department of Labor Employment & Traininghttp://www.dol.gov/dol/vets

Business Assistance:

U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsThe Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE)810 Vermont Avenue, NWWashington, D.C. 20420Toll-Free: (866) 584-2344Fax: (202) 254-0238E-mail: [email protected] site: http://www.vetbiz.gov

Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Centerhttp://www.misbtdc.org

Small Business Administrationhttp://www.sba.gov/VETS

Small and Disadvantaged Businesseshttp://www.va.gov/OSDBU

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Michigan Congressional Delegation – 110th Congress

United States Senate

Michigan, like every state, has two Senators inthe United States Senate.

You may obtain contact information aboutour two United States Senators at the Senate website:http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Select “Michigan” from the “Choose a State”drop-down box and you will get the phonenumber and address for the Senator as well as alink to contact the Senator via the web.

My United States Senators:

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

United States House of Representatives

Michigan currently has 15 Representatives inthe United States House of Representatives. This number is determined by our populationand may be adjusted following each decennialcensus.

You may obtain contact information aboutour 15 United States Representatives at the House of Representatives web site:http://www.house.gov/writerep

By selecting “Michigan” from the drop-downlist, entering your zip code, and clicking the“Contact my Representative” button, you will geta form to contact your Representative viathe web site. This page also provides links to getthe address and phone numbers of yourRepresentative in Congress.

My United States Representative:

__________________________________________

Letters to any of the Senators may be addressed:The Honorable (name of senator)State SenatorState CapitolP.O. Box 30036Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Governor Jennifer M. GranholmContact information for the Governor may befound at:http://www.michigan.gov/gov

Lt. Gov. John D. Cherry Jr.Contact information for the Lieutenant Governormay be found at:http://www.michigan.gov/ltgov

Michigan State Senate – 2007-2010 The Michigan State Senate is composed of 38 State Senators whose districts are apportioned by

population.

You may obtain contact information for your State Senator at the State Senate web site:http://senate.michigan.gov

Simply click the “Find Your Senator” link to obtain the phone number, address, and e-mail of yourState Senator.

My State Senator:________________________________________________________________________

Senate Committee: You may wish to contact State Senators on the committeethat is designated to review proposed legislation regardingveterans affairs. The name of this committee may changeover time. You may find the current name of the committeeand the members of the committee at the State Senatecommittee page at:http://senate.michigan.gov/committees/standing.htm

Michigan Governor and Lieutenant Governor

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Michigan House of Representatives – 2007-2008 The Michigan House of Representatives is composed of 110 State Representatives whose districts

are apportioned by population.

You may obtain contact information for your State Representative at the State House ofRepresentatives web site: http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp

By using the “Find a Representative” feature or the clickable map, you will obtain the phonenumber, address, and e-mail of your State Representative.

My State Representative: _________________________________________________________________

Letters to any of the Representatives may be addressed:The Honorable (name of representative)State RepresentativeState CapitolP.O. Box 30014Lansing, MI 48909-7514

House Committee:You may wish to contact State Representativeson the committee that is designated to reviewproposed legislation regarding veterans affairs.The name of this committee may change overtime. You may find the current name of thecommittee and the members of the committeeat the State House of Representatives committeepage at:http://house.michigan.gov/committees.asp

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OF INTEREST TO VETERANS

Veteran Holidays Veterans Day

Veterans Day is an opportunity to publiclycommemorate the contributions of livingveterans. Armistice Day officially receivedits name in America in 1926 through acongressional resolution. It became a nationalholiday 12 years later by similar congressionalaction.

If World War I had indeed been “the warto end all wars,” November 11 might still becalled Armistice Day. Realizing that peace wasequally preserved by veterans of World War IIand Korea, Congress decided to make theday an occasion to honor all those whohave served America. In 1954, PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower signed a billproclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.(Historically, the first Veterans Day paradewas held in 1953 in Emporia, Kansas.)

A law passed in 1968 changed the nationalcommemoration of Veterans Day to the fourthMonday in October. It soon became apparent,however, that November 11 was a date ofhistoric significance to many Americans.Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned theobservance to its traditional date.

Memorial DayMemorial Day was officially proclaimed on

May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, nationalcommander of the Grand Army of theRepublic and was first observed on May 30,1868, when flowers were placed on the graves

of Union and Confederate soldiers atArlington National Cemetery. The first

state to officially recognize the

holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it wasrecognized by all of the northern states. TheSouth refused to acknowledge the day,honoring their dead on separate days untilafter World War I (when the holiday changedfrom honoring just those who died fighting inthe Civil War to honoring Americans who diedfighting in any war). It is now celebrated inalmost every state on the last Monday in May(passed by Congress with the NationalHoliday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure athree-day weekend for Federal holidays),though several southern states have anadditional separate day for honoring theConfederate war dead: January 19 in Texas;April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, andMississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; andJune 3 (Jefferson Davis’ birthday) in Louisianaand Tennessee.

Flag EtiquetteFederal law stipulates many aspects of flag

etiquette. The section of law dealing withAmerican Flag etiquette is generally referred toas the Flag Code. Some general guidelinesfrom the Flag Code answer many of the mostcommon questions.

Flag Displayed Outdoors

Over the Middle of the Street

The flag should be suspended verticallywith the union or blue field to the north on aneast and west street or to the east on a northand south street.


Flown at Half-Staff

The flag should be first hoisted to the peakfor an instant and then lowered to the half-staffposition. The flag should again be raised to thepeak before it is lowered for the day. “Half-staff”means the flag has been lowered to one-half thedistance between the top and bottom of the staff.Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear headsor flagstaffs in a parade only by order of thePresident of the United States.

Flown on the Same Halyard With Non-National Flags

The American flag should always be at thepeak. When flags are flown from adjacent staffs,the flag of the United States should be hoistedfirst and lowered last. No flag or pennant may be placed above or to the right of the flag of theUnited States.

Suspended Over a Sidewalk

The flag may be suspended from a ropeextending from a house to a pole at the edge ofthe sidewalk. The flag should be hoisted out,union first, from the building.

From a Staff Projecting Horizontally or at an Angle

The flag may be projected from a window sill,balcony, or front of a building, with the union ofthe flag placed at the peak of the staff unless theflag is at half-staff.

In a Parade With Other Flags

The flag, when carried in a procession withanother flag, or flags, should be either on themarching right (that is, the flag’s own right), or,if there is a line of other flags, in front of thecenter of that line.

With Non-National Flags

The flag of the United States should be at thecenter and at the highest point of the group

when a number of flags of states or localities orpennants of societies are grouped and displayedfrom staffs.

With Other National Flags

When flags of two or more nations aredisplayed, they are to be flown from separatestaffs of the same height. The flags should beof approximately equal size. International usageforbids the display of the flag of one nationabove that of another nation in time of peace.

With Another Flag Against a Wall From Crossed Staffs

The American flag should be on the right (theflag’s own right which is the viewer’s left) and itsstaff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

Flag Displayed Indoors

From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium on a Podium

The flag of the United States should hold theposition of superior prominence, in advance ofthe audience, and in the position of honor at theclergyman’s or speaker’s right as he/she facesthe audience. Any other flag so displayed shouldbe placed on the left of the clergyman orspeaker (to the right of the audience).

From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium off the Podium

Custom—not the Flag Code—holds that theflag of the United States should hold the positionof superior prominence, as part of the audience,in the position of honor at the audience’s right.

Used to Cover a Casket

The American flag should be so placed on acasket that the union is at the head and over theleft shoulder of the deceased. The flag shouldnot be lowered into the grave or allowedto touch the ground.

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Other Than Being Flown From a Staff

The flag should be displayed flat, whetherindoors or out. When displayed eitherhorizontally or vertically against a wall, the unionshould be uppermost and to the flag’s own right(that is, to the observer’s left). When displayed ina window, it should be displayed in the sameway (that is, with the union to the left of theobserver in the street). When festoons, rosettes,or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white,and red should be used, but never the flag itself.

Read a more comprehensive set of flag codeetiquette rules for display of the American Flag atthe “Americanism” link at the American Legionweb site (http://www.legion. org).

State Policy for Flying American Flags at Half-Staff

State policy for displaying the United Statesflag at half-staff as a mark of respect for thememory of military personnel who are killed inthe line of duty is found in Executive Order No. 2006-10.

As recognized under Proclamation 2003-4, theflag of the United States shall be displayed athalf-staff throughout the State of Michigan on aday designated by the Governor when a memberof the Michigan National Guard or a Michiganresident servicing as a member of the UnitedStates Armed Forces is killed in the line of duty.

When an order providing for the flag to bedisplayed at half-staff on a statewide basis isissued, Michigan residents, businesses, schools,local governments, and other organizations alsoare urged to display the flag at half-staff.

Flag DisposalThe United States Flag Code provides:

“The flag, when it is in such conditionthat it is no longer a fitting emblem fordisplay, should be destroyed in a dignifiedway, preferably by burning.”

Many veterans service organizations conductceremonies for the destruction of unserviceableflags by burning. Such ceremonies may be doneon June 14, Flag Day, to mark the dignity andsolemnity of the occasion. Some local governmentsmay also conduct these ceremonies.

In practice, for individuals who wish todestroy a flag in poor condition, this should bedone discreetly so the act of destruction is notperceived as a protest or desecration.

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This publication is available online at:http://elearn.mrs.state.mi.us/vr/vets/VeteranBenefits.htm

A video of the training session regarding this booklet is available online at:http://web1mdcs.state.mi.us/WebCasts/

VeteransResources/VeteransResources.htm

NOTES


The information in this publication is available,upon request, in an alternative, accessible format.
