Programs & Services

Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs staff process emergency applications for the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund and applications for the funding available through our office.  A major focus of this work is to provide one-time financial assistance to help veterans overcome emergent situations that have caused personal hardship. In addition to assisting with the application process, staff work very closely with community social service organizations and frequently refer veterans for other community services for which they may qualify.

Eligibility for emergency financial assistance and the County Burial Allowance requires wartime era active duty service. Veterans holding Expeditionary Medals for non- wartime era dates may also qualify.

Wartime Era Dates

World War II: December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946

Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955

Vietnam Era: February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975

Persian Gulf Era: August 2, 1990 to Present

Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs Committee Funding

The Veterans Affairs Committee Funding is a County funded emergency grant program that provides financial aid to wartime era veterans who encounter temporary or unexpected financial hardship. The Grand Traverse County Department of Veterans Affairs (GTCVA) Committee consists of 7 veterans appointed by the County Board of Commissioners.

A veteran or his/her spouse may be eligible for one-time financial assistance from our office if the veteran has at least 90 days of active military service and an honorable discharge. The service must be active duty service during a wartime era. Veterans holding Expeditionary Medals for non- wartime era dates may also qualify. Financial assistance provided by GTCVA cannot generally be given more than once in a twelve month period.

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund

The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund is a State of Michigan emergency grant program that provides financial aid to wartime era veterans who encounter temporary or unexpected financial hardship. Each county in Michigan has an MVTF Committee that provides for the local administration of Michigan Veterans Trust Fund expenditures. Local MVTF Committee members are appointed from the various veterans service organizations by the State of Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Board of Directors.

A veteran or his/her spouse may be eligible for one-time financial assistance from the MVTF if the veteran has at least 180 days of active military service and an honorable discharge. The service must be active duty service during a wartime era. Veterans holding Expeditionary Medals for non- wartime era dates may also qualify. Financial assistance provided by the MVTF cannot generally be given more than once in a two year period.

Grand Traverse County Burial Allowance

Grand Traverse County provides a Veteran Burial Allowance of $300 for wartime era veterans and their spouses with limited resources to pay for funeral expenses. To be eligible for the County Burial Allowance the veteran must meet the following criteria:

A resident of Grand Traverse County

Honorable Discharge from military service

90 Days of Active Duty for purposes other than training

Wartime Era Veteran

The estate must be under certain Asset Limits (excluding homestead and one auto)

 $40,000, if there is a surviving spouse or if veteran has a dependent child under 18

For a veteran with no surviving spouse or dependent child under 18, there is no eligibility for this benefit if the veteran's assets equal or exceed the cost of the funeral and burial.

After completion, the form should be submitted to the Grand Traverse County Department of Veterans Affairs along with a copy of the Death Certificate, an itemized Statement of Funeral and Burial Expenses, and a copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).