November 09, 2017
Still much more work to do
Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Benefits that could be utilized by Michigan veterans has increased by 40 percent in recent years, meaning more veterans are receiving the benefits they deserve, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley announced today.
Michigan has shown an increase in federal VA dollars received as well as the percentage of state’s veterans receiving benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Geographic Distribution of Expenditures.
“Michigan is home to more than 608,000 veterans and we owe our very freedoms to them for serving to keep us safe,” Calley said. “We’ve been working hard for our veterans and I’m pleased to see the amount of benefits and resources increasing significantly in our state.”
In just six years, the value of benefits that could be accessed by Michigan veterans has gone up from $2.4 billion in 2010 to more than $4 billion in 2016. The amount of VA dollars for compensation and pension benefits has also increased by roughly 55 percent since 2012.
“The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency strives to connect our state’s veterans to eligible benefits and services,” said MVAA Director James Robert Redford. “While we have seen an increase in both the amount of federal VA benefits received and number of veterans receiving them since the agency was created, we still have work to do.”
Data also shows that the number of Michigan veterans connected to federal benefits has increased by 50 percent between 2012 and 2016, but still only 18 percent of Michigan veterans are receiving benefits.
“We still have too few veterans taking advantage of the benefits they’ve earned for their sacrifices. We encourage veterans to call 800-MICH-VET today to find out what’s available to you,” Calley continued.
Veterans or families can call the Michigan Veterans Resource Service Center at 800-MICH-VET or visit MichiganVeterans.com for assistance with any veterans issue.
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