Ottawa County's Veterans Services Committee gives one-time hardship grants, generally no more than once a year, for utilities, rent or mortgage, car payments and repairs, groceries and medical costs. It takes an honorable or general discharge but asks for 90 days of wartime service, a minimum the State relief statute does not set, and will not pay property taxes.
Also called: Financial Hardship Grants, Soldiers and Sailors Relief, veterans relief fund, emergency grants, rent, mortgage, utilities, car repair, groceries, widow, widower.
For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child, survivor.
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). In Ottawa County the Veterans Services Committee gives Financial Hardship Grants for temporary or unexpected hardship, case by case, generally no more than once in twelve months.
Who qualifies. A legal resident of Ottawa County with an honorable, under honorable conditions or general discharge and at least 90 days of active wartime service (basic and active-duty training do not count), or a separation for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal plus 90 days of honorable active duty, for service between wars in places such as Grenada, Lebanon or the Persian Gulf. Unremarried widows and widowers of eligible veterans qualify, as do the indigent spouses and dependents of active-duty members during hostilities. An uncharacterized discharge of someone never activated is excluded. The page's opening line says "honorably discharged", but its requirements list accepts a general discharge.
What it pays for. Utilities, telephone, mortgage or rent, vehicle payments or repairs, prescriptions for a veteran's dependents, emergency household repairs, medical expenses, groceries and fuel for transportation. Not property taxes, fines, fees or court costs, credit card debt or payday loans.
Against the statute. MCL 35.21 asks for wartime service and an honorable discharge, with no minimum length of service, so the 90-day floor is the committee's own, as is the bar on property taxes. Apply before spending: in July 2026 the committee paid $2,696 toward an air conditioner a veteran had installed before approval, and said it would add a checklist to stop that happening. In May 2026 it approved a policy, AP 001, on repeat applicants and true emergency needs, pending legal review. A refusal can be taken to the circuit court within 15 days (MCL 35.23; see the Michigan entry).
The State fund. Veterans Services also files Michigan Veterans Trust Fund applications, including its programme for peacetime veterans 65 and older. Call 616-393-8387.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Ottawa County Veterans Financial Hardship Grants
Gate
Rule
A temporary or unexpected hardship
A temporary or unexpected financial hardship, generally once in twelve months. No rating is needed.
Honorable or general discharge, 90 days of wartime service
An honorable, under honorable conditions or general discharge and 90 days of active wartime service, a line-of-duty disability separation, or an expeditionary medal with 90 days; Ottawa County residence.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.