Roscommon County Veteran Relief Fund: Emergency Help with Rent, Mortgage, Food and Utilities

The policy. The county's posted "Roscommon County Veterans Affairs Relief Fund Policy (2014 version)": the department "is established under Michigan Public Act 192 of 1953" and carries out the intent of the soldiers' relief act. A veteran is eligible if "honorably discharged, retired or reverted to an inactive status under honorable conditions", with "Legal residence in Roscommon County at the time of application"; "Legal dependents or unremarried widow of a veteran are also eligible for assistance." Residence at a half-way house or shelter is not legal residence for this purpose. What counts. "Emergent need is defined to be an emergency in the life of honorably discharged veterans and/or their legal dependents ... which necessitates immediate temporary assistance for food, fuel, clothing, shelter and other unforeseen emergencies." The funds "are not designed to take the place of existing programs" but to supplement them "on a short-term temporary basis". "In instances where there is a reasonable doubt in any specific case the Director and/or committee will find in the favor of the applicant." The amounts one member or the Director may approve alone: rent $500; mortgage $500; food $125 for four or more people, $75 for fewer; utility, the amount of the shut-off notice; propane, the minimum delivery. Medical, dental and hearing aids go to the committee. Requests over $500 need two committee members, or the Director and one member. Appeals. Under the September 4, 2014 amendment the Director decides applications; a denial may be appealed in writing to the Veterans Affairs Committee within 21 days of the written notice, and the committee's decision at its next meeting is final. The policy is dated 2014; ask the office (989-275-6047) whether the amounts still stand.