Michigan Veterans Trust Fund

MICHIGAN VETERANS TRUST FUND

P.O. Box 30104

Lansing, MI 48909

(517) 284-5299

EMERGENCY GRANTS

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

General Definition of Need

When an eligible applicant is unable to temporarily provide the basic necessities of life without causing a hardship, a situation for a possible MVTF grant exists. The assistance must be essential and not for the relief of an inconvenience, or the purchase of a want/desire. The key factor in determining whether or not a grant is justified is the ability of the applicant to manage the obligation for which aid is requested after a grant is made. If there is no reasonable expectation that the MVTF grant would enable the applicant to resume his/her responsibility, then aid is not appropriate. If, by experience with the MVTF or through other means, an applicant's financial situation creates repetitive "emergencies" or appears chronic in nature, the county committee and/or the board must refer that person to other resources designed to address those needs. In addition, the applicant should have attempted to resolve the emergency or hardship through every reasonable means available prior to applying to the MVTF for assistance. The applicant should have tried to resolve the unforeseen, short term financial situation, but is unable to do so without MVTF aid.

Basic Eligibility

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

                                    WWI                            April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918

                                                                        (If service in Russia, then to April 1, 1920)

                                    WWII                           December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946

                                    Korea                           June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955

                                    Vietnam                       February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975

                                    Persian Gulf                 August 2, 1990 to present

If a veteran has less than 180 days of active duty during these eras, duty in more than one period may be combined. Evidence of separation or discharge with less than 180 days of wartime service due to a physical or mental disability is required to determine eligibility.

Documentation

One or more of the following items may be required when filing an application for trust fund assistance:

• Discharge papers, separation report, or DD-214 (showing the dates of active duty and the character of the release)

• Proof of residence (driver's license, voter registration, state I.D.)         

• Marriage certificate; birth certificates for minor children (legal dependents)

• Death certificate of a deceased spouse or parent

• Bills or account statements regarding the items for which you are seeking a MVTF grant

• Documentation of any disability rating

• Proof of employment or other income

• Evidence of efforts at other appropriate agencies

Whether or not a grant is made by the MVTF, anyone who feels that they are eligible may apply for assistance through the county/district committees operating in Michigan's 83 counties.