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Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance

 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST 

Military veterans: If you are having temporary financial issues and require assistance with utility bills, vehicle or home repairs, medical bills or other debts, please contact MVAA at 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) or fill out and submit an Resource Assistance Form. Be sure to specify the amount requested, the reason you are applying for assistance and how quickly it is needed.

Please note that information submitted on this form will be used to connect you with available resources, including the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. However, the Emergency Assistance Form is not a Michigan Veterans Trust Fund application.

An MVAA resource center representative will be in contact within 48 hours once the form has been submitted to help connect you with available resources. Additional information may be required. Note that this service is available strictly for military veterans.  

SOLDIER AND SAILOR RELIEF FUNDS

County Soldier and Sailor Relief Funds may be available to assist with emergency expenses and burial costs. Contact your county veteran services office for eligibility information.

MICHIGAN VETERANS TRUST FUND

The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund provides emergency grants to Michigan veterans and dependent family members to help them weather short-term financial crisis.

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund homepage 

ELIGIBILITY

  • Michigan resident
  • Honorably discharged with:
  • 180 days of service during a period of war (90 days for WWI veterans)
  • 180 days of active duty with award of Armed Forces or Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (for service in places such as Grenada, Lebanon, Berlin, Persian Gulf, Mayaguez Operation or Desert Storm)
  • Less than 180 days of wartime service due to service-incurred disability
  • Wartime service includes the following periods:
  • WWI - April 6,1917 - November 11, 1918 (Until April 1, 1920 if in service in Russia)
  • WWII - December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
  • Korea - June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955
  • Vietnam - February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975
  • Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 - present
  • If a veteran has less than 180 days of active duty during these eras, duty in more than one period may be combined. 
  • Dependents can apply if veteran is eligible under certain circumstances

NEEDED DOCUMENTATION

  • 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 and 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 an MVTF grant
  • Documentation of any disability rating
  • Proof of employment or other income
  • Evidence of efforts at other appropriate agencies 

To apply for emergency funds from the MVTF, contact the MVTF county committee serving the county where you reside or fill out and submit an Resource Assistance Form.

Please note, information submitted on the Resource Assistance Form will be used to connect you with available resources, including the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. However, it is not a Trust Fund application. If it is determined that your application meets the criteria for Trust Fund assistance, you will be contacted for more information.

You may also contact the MVTF at 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) or 3423 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Bldg 32, Lansing, MI 48906.

NATIONAL GUARD FAMILY PROGRAM  

The National Guard Family Program provides support and education to National Guard families. 
Each state has a State Family Program director and one to four Wing Family Program Coordinators in support of the families. There are also family readiness groups/key volunteer groups, family readiness assistants and family assistance staff.  
Read more about the National Guard Family Program.