Ionia County Veterans Service Office

Michigan counties run their veterans offices under MCL 35.621 and the relief fund and burial duties of MCL 35.21 and 35.801; see the Michigan entries. Until 2026 Ionia County had none of its own. On March 24, 2026 the Board of Commissioners approved a letter of intent for the State's County Veteran Service Grant ("State grants of $50,000 as well as per capita Veteran Est. $8-25 K available") and the creation of "a County Veterans' Affairs/Veterans' Services Office to give a greater level of service to our local Veterans and their families", "with starting 20-hour part time Veteran Service Officer". It formed a Veterans Affairs Committee the same day and adopted its bylaws on June 9, 2026. What it does. The proposal before the Board named three aims: "Service Connection: Accredited management of Disability, Pension, and Survivors' legal claims"; "Emergency Relief: Streamlined access to the Michigan Veteran Trust Fund (MVTF) and the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Fund for rent, utilities, and repairs"; and "Independence: Utilizing VA grants for home modifications and transportation". The service officer's posting adds identifying needs, determining eligibility, completing claims and appeals, and representation before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The money. The county levies 0.0982 mill for veterans relief under Public Act 214 of 1899 and keeps a Soldiers and Sailors Relief Fund, "dedicated to providing financial assistance and support to soldiers, sailors, and their families" in hardship; it also pays the county veterans' burial allowance ($23,100 budgeted for burials in 2025). The county publishes no relief limits. Where and when. 101 W. Main Street, 1st Floor, Ionia, MI 48846; Mondays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (616) 527-1701; [email protected]. The office's hours are short, so call or e-mail ahead.