Genesee County Soldiers Relief Commission: Emergency Help

Michigan requires every county to keep a fund for the relief of indigent wartime veterans and their families (MCL 35.21; see the Michigan entry on the county veterans relief fund). Genesee County keeps a Soldiers Relief Commission, staffed by the Department of Veterans Services; a staff member fills in the application and the commissioners decide it at meetings twice a month. Who qualifies, by the commission's rules page. Honorably discharged veterans with at least one day of active duty, not counting training-only duty; "war time duty is not a requirement" because the commission helps peacetime veterans too. Reservists qualify only if activated in wartime. It turns away any discharge stated as dishonorable, less than honorable or other than honorable. The department's overview page says instead that the commission helps veterans with "at least one day of wartime service", and calls the meetings Thursday ones where the rules page says Tuesday. Go by the rules page and ask. MCL 35.21 funds relief for honorably discharged wartime veterans, so the peacetime rule is the county's own choice. What it helps with and what each needs. Utilities, with a shut-off notice and decision letters from the State Department of Health and Human Services, the Salvation Army and the county's community action agency; fuel oil or propane on two estimates, up to 100 gallons. Food, with the Bridge Card amount and a State decision letter. Essential clothing. Rent, with a notice to quit, demand for possession, eviction summons or judgment for existing rent, or a landlord's form for a first month. Mortgage and property taxes on the principal residence. Appliances such as a water heater, stove or refrigerator on two estimates, with denials from other agencies for major home repairs. Transport to a VA medical facility or to work. Car payments, insurance and repairs, the repairs on three estimates, for a vehicle no more than 10 years old and up to 30% of its Kelley Blue Book wholesale value. Hearing aids, glasses (no tints or progressive lenses) and dental work on estimates. What it will not do. Help after a robbery or theft, or pay any private debt. What to bring. The DD-214, photo ID, marriage and children's birth certificates, custody papers if separated, all household income for the past 90 days for every adult, proof of disability or job seeking for any adult without income, and date-stamped receipts for the past 90 days' spending. Applications are taken weekdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; paperwork must be in by 3 p.m. on the Friday before a meeting. A refusal can be taken to the circuit court within 15 days (MCL 35.23; see the Michigan entry). The State fund. The department's Trust Fund committee meets monthly; it takes wartime veterans and, under the Trust Fund's own programme, peacetime veterans over 65 (see the Michigan entry). Call 810-257-3068.