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Benefits for 100 Percent Disabled Veterans

Veterans who qualify for a 100 percent disability or rated individually unemployable from the VA are entitled to additional benefits not afforded to other veterans. Below is a list of benefits for 100 percent disabled veterans, veterans rated individually unemployable, and their dependents.

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    When enrolling in the VA health care system, each veteran is assigned to a priority group. The VA uses priority groups to balance demand for VA health care enrollment with resources. Veterans with a 100 percent disability rating are eligible to enroll in Health Care Priority Group 1, with no co-payments required.  

    Medical benefits package includes:

    • Preventative Care
    • Primary Care
    • Specialty Care
    • Mental Health
    • Home Health Care
    • Dental Care
    • Vision Care
    • Geriatrics and Extended Care
    • Medical Equipment/Prosthetic Items and Aids
    • Nursing Home Placement
    • Medically Related Travel Benefits
    • Hearing Aids
    • Dependent's Health Care (if dependents are not eligible under TRICARE)
    • Foreign Medical Care
  • Residence Adaption into one drop down called Disability Housing Grants: 
    The VA offers housing grants for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change a home to meet their needs and live more independently. To learn more, visit Disability Housing Grants for Veterans / Veterans Affairs.

  • Property Tax Waiver

    100 percent permanently and totally disabled veterans, veterans who are entitled to veterans benefits at the 100 percent rate or un-remarried surviving spouses may request a property tax waiverForm 5107, State Tax Commission Affidavit for Disabled Veterans Exemption (michigan.gov) and supporting evidence must be filed annually with the local government office issuing their property tax bill (city, village, township, etc.) after January 1 and before December 31 during the year in which the exemption is requested.

    In order to be eligible for the exemption, the disabled veteran must have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States. They must be a Michigan resident. Additionally, they must meet one of the following criteria:  

    • Has been determined by the VA to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veterans benefits at the 100 percent rate. 
    • Has a certificate from the VA, or its successors, certifying that he or she is receiving or has received pecuniary assistance due to disability for specially adapted housing. 
    • Has been rated by the VA as individually unemployable.  

    The unremarried surviving spouse of the disabled veteran is eligible for the exemption based upon the eligibility of their spouse; therefore the spouse must also be a Michigan resident. The exemption will continue only as long as the surviving spouse remains unremarried. 

    When possible, the submission should be made in the first two months of the assessment year (January or February). For more information regarding the veteran's exemption, visit the Michigan Department of Treasury's website

    Income Tax Credit for Property Tax Paid

    The state's income tax code provides a tax credit for property tax paid by a disabled veteran or surviving spouse. This benefit varies depending on disability rating and the family's income. Use the MI-1040CR-2 to apply for the tax credit. Even if no income tax is due, an eligible veteran may still submit a MI-1040CR-2 to receive the income tax credit as a tax refund. Visit the Michigan Department of Treasury website for a copy of the form and the instructions.

  • A veteran determined by the VA to have a total and permanent disability rating qualifies to register one passenger vehicle with a disabled veteran plate at no fee. There is a one-time $5 administrative fee when the plate is first issued. Contact The Secretary of State (michigan.gov) for additional information. Note: Ex-prisoners of war, regardless of disability rating, also are eligible for this reduced cost license plate.

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    There are numerous services available to Wounded Warriors as they transition to civilian life. These programs provide a variety of services including vocational rehabilitation, case management and more.

    Veteran Readiness and Employment Program

    The VR&E Program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, this program offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

    The VR&E Program includes the following services:

    • Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills and interests for employment.
    • Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services.
    • Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development and other work readiness assistance.
    • Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations.
    • Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school.
    • Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling and medical referrals.
    • Independent living services for veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities. 

     

  • Service members or veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability may be eligible for a variety of compensation packages.

    Disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service.

    The VA can pay an added compensation known as Special Monthly Compensation in addition to the regular Disability Compensation under certain circumstances.

    If a veteran has a service-connected disability at the 100% rate and is "housebound, bedridden or is so helpless to need the aid and attendance of another person," then payment of additional SMC can be considered. This additional monthly payment is referred to as Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance.

     

    Service members Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection

     

    TSGLI helps severely injured service members who have suffered physical losses with a one-time payment. TSGLI helps with unforeseen expenses or provides a financial head start on life after recovery. After Dec. 1, 2005, all service members who are covered by Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) are automatically covered by TSGLI.

     

    Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance

     

    Veterans who are totally disabled may apply for a waiver of premiums and additional supplemental insurance coverage of up to $30,000. However, premiums cannot be waived on the additional supplemental insurance.

     

    Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance

     

    VMLI is mortgage protection insurance available to severely disabled veterans who have been approved by the VA for a SAH. Maximum coverage is the smaller of the existing mortgage balance or $200,000, and is payable only to the mortgage company.

     

    Improved Disability Pension

     

    Veterans with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled, or are age 65 and older, may be eligible for a type of monetary support known as Disability Pension. To qualify for this benefit, veterans must have 90 days or more of active military service, at least one day of which was during a period of war.

     

  • Free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for U.S. National Parks.

    Free Michigan hunting and fishing licenses. Visit the Department of Natural Resources website for more information.

     

  • The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant provides undergraduate tuition assistance to the child of a veteran who died while on active federal duty or who has been awarded a total and permanent disability rating from the VA. The grant is administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. Call 888-447-2687 for more information.