Serving the Veterans of Shiawassee County, Michigan
ABOUT US
Shiawassee County Department of Veteran Services was created by the Board of Commissioners in 2009 under Public Act 192 of 1953. A Director and a clerk were hired to assist Veterans and their dependents file claims with the U.S. Veterans Administration, the State of Michigan and Shiawassee County.
In 2010, a full-time Veterans Counselor and part-time Transportation Coordinator were added to the staff. This year, 2018, another full-time Veterans Counselor will be added in order to meet the growing need and services from our Veterans and their dependents.
In 2014, the Board of Commissioners levied a millage of 1/20th of a mill to fund the Veterans Relief portion of the office as required by Public Act 214 of 1899. A full-time Veterans Relief Counselor / Administration Assistant was hired to administer the fund and help with the administrative duties for the Veterans Department.
In 2021, the Board of Commissioners and the County Veterans Committee approved the renovation of the Griffin Building for the county’s first ever, Veteran Center. The renovations are currently underway and will be completed sometime in the spring of 2023! (Please follow our Facebook page for dates and times of our Grand Opening!)
Approved Millage
In 2014, the Shiawassee County voters approved an Operational Millage; Veteran Services Program, of 0.20 mill to be levied by Shiawassee County from 2014 through 2018 for the County Veterans Services program. In 2018, this millage was up for reelection and was again approved by the voters for another 5 year period ending in 2023.
In 2022, in order to NOT have the county incur a special election for the renewal of the Veteran Services Program Millage, it was approved for a 6 year term beginning in 2023 through 2028 inclusively. The millage also was depreciated from 0.20 mills to 0.1956 mills. This proposed ballot was again approved by the voters of Shiawassee County! (From the staff, VA Committee and Commissioners; THANK YOU for your continued trust and support.)
What the Millage and the Department of Veteran Affairs Provides
The Department of Veteran Services is dedicated to providing services and programs to approximately 4,742 Veterans residing in Shiawassee County. Services include:
• Assistance in navigating the claims filing process with the Federal Government for injuries or illness,
• Case Management and ongoing support for VA benefit recipients.
• Filing and processing of Shiawassee County and Federal burial allowance claims.
• Financial assistance for indigent Veterans and their dependents for anything from food and gas to home repairs.
• Transportation for mobility impaired patients to get to their medical appointments such as dialysis and out-patient surgery which are either VA scheduled or referred. Not covered are CMP exams as the mileage is paid directly to the Veteran by the VA.
• Substantially increase outreach to Shiawassee County Veterans including education of what benefits are available and helping Veterans access benefits earned by their service.
• Provide funding for the creation and assistance of mental health services.
• Assist Veterans with job placement.
• Assist Veterans with Housecleaning
• Increase the number of Benefit Counselors to 3, full time VSOs.
• Increase the number of Volunteer Drivers from 6 to 10.
• Update IT infrastructure.
• Expand transportation services.
• Assist in the remodeling and building of the county’s first ever Veteran Center!
