Michigan veterans’ benefits highlighted
The state of Michigan provides numerous veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits:
MICHIGAN VETERAN HOUSING PROGRAMS
There are two Michigan State Veterans Homes, the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. A veteran of the armed forces of the United States eligible for VA health care or financial assistance for long-term care may be admitted. The veteran must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or who entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty in order to be eligible.
Michigan residency is not required, and spouses or surviving spouses may be admitted if space is available. Fees are income based.
MICHIGAN EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS
Tuition Grant:
Michigan provides an annual undergraduate tuition grant of up to $2,800 for the eligible children of certain deceased military personnel or totally and permanently disabled veterans.
MICHIGAN VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Michigan offers veterans a large array of employment services including disabled veterans outreach programs and the Shifting Heroes Program, a component of the Michigan Shifting Gears Program which is a career-transition program for seasoned mid- and late-career professional talent going through, or preparing to go through, a career transition scenario.
Overview of VA pensions
Low-income wartime veterans may qualify for pension if they meet certain service, income and net worth limits set by law; are age 65 or older, permanently and totally disabled, a patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, or receiving Supplemental Security Income. Call our office if you have questions about eligibility; (231) 348-1780.
Tricare Insurance update
Some Tricare users will soon be allowed to use in-network urgent care providers without receiving any authorization under a new pilot program set to start May 23, according to policy documents released recently.
The three-year pilot, ordered by Congress as part of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, will allow most Tricare users two urgent care visits per beneficiary, per fiscal year without official authorization from a provider or official. After those two visits have been used, beneficiaries can continue to use urgent care as long as they receive a referral. Contact Tricare first and make sure this program is in effect.
Important documents for new VA benefits enrollees
If you are applying for a VA benefit for the first time you must submit a copy of your service discharge form (DD-214, DD-215, or for WWII veterans, a WD form), which documents your service dates and type of discharge, or give your full name, military service number, branch and dates of service. We can assist you in getting these or other documents by stopping in or calling our office at 3434 M-119, Suite D, on the way to Harbor Springs in the John R. Watson Community Resource Center.
A few notes about Memorial Day
Memorial Day 2016 will be observed on Monday, May 30. Traditionally, services are held in Petoskey and communities around Emmet County. Events will be posted on the Emmet County web site when they are finalized; www.emmetcounty.org
Did you know: Memorial Day originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War in 1869, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, Union and Confederate holidays had merged and Memorial Day was eventually extended to honor all Americans who have died while in military service.
Stop by and say hello
Remember, the only reason this office is here is to help you and or your family get the benefits you and they rightly deserve. One thing I hear from a lot of veterans is, “Well, there are other vets who need it more than I do.” The VA is here to serve ALL VETERANS and the funds are available to do so, so if you have not been to our office, please do stop by. It would also give us a chance to say hello, thank you for your service and share a free cup of coffee! (And we will let you expound upon all your great time in the service, too.) Semper Fi
Jim Alton is the Director of the Veterans Affairs Department within Emmet County. Alton served in the United States Marine Corps (1955-62) and is retired from the Michigan State Police. Reach him or his assistant, Rick Wiertalla, at (231) 348-1780 or [email protected]
