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FACTS ABOUT GENESEE COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES
A very important function of county
government is to provide services for veterans. Genesee County has a population
of 436,000. The county currently has the fifth largest veteran population in the
state of Michigan.
Formed in 1975, the Genesee County
Department of Veterans Services was created to help local veterans and their
families obtain veterans’ benefits from federal, state and local agencies. The
office was also set up to help indigent veterans and veterans in emergency
situations who need help with the necessities of life.
Since the department’s inception, the
Board of Commissioners has continued to recognize the need for professional
veterans’ advocates to provide claims assistance to the 40,000 veterans and
their families who reside in this county and to continue helping our indigent
veterans.
The Genesee County Board of
Commissioners are responsible for four separate departments: Department of
Veterans Services, Soldiers Relief Commission, Michigan Veterans Trust Fund and
the Veterans Burial Fund. These departments are supervised by Jeanne C. Thick,
Director.
The Department of Veterans Services
is a networking center for all veteran organizations in the county. The staff
answers any questions that the veteran or family member may have, and /or refers
them to the proper agency for additional help. The staff also disseminates
information to the veteran’s organizations as it relates to upcoming events,
legislative concerns, or issues we feel are important to the veteran. The
Department of Veterans Services is unique in that they house three State Service
Officers from Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Marine Corp. League. These counselors assist veterans and
family members with their claims and filling out VA forms for service-connected
and non-service connected disabilities and pensions for veterans, spouses,
widows and dependent children. The Service Officers are also accredited to
represent veterans in all VA matters.
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The Soldiers Relief Commission
was established to help indigent veterans and/or veterans in an emergency
situation who have at least one day of wartime service. A staff member fills out
the application form for the veteran and Soldiers Relief Commissioners determine their needs.
Many times, when immediate help is needed, they are referred to other county
agencies. The veteran may apply for financial assistance for food, rent, mortgage, taxes,
utility bills, transportation, clothing and many other necessities of life. The
Soldiers Relief Committee meets every other Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.
The Veterans Burial Fund
is a fund set up for veterans who have at least 90 days of wartime service. If
the estate, real and personal, does not exceed $40,000 excluding the
homestead, the family will receive $300 towards the burial expenses from Genesee
County. The veteran must also have been a resident of Michigan for a period of
six months before entering the service, or for a period of three years
immediately preceding death.
The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund
is a state fund set up for veterans who
have at least 180 days of wartime service and have a short-term emergent
situation. In most cases, veterans apply for food, utility bills, rent,
mortgage, taxes, transportation, clothing and other items deemed as an emergent
need. The Trust Fund Committee meets on a monthly basis.
Homeless Veterans can get assistance with medical treatment,
temporary shelter, housing and employment. A representative from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs is available at the Department of Veterans
Services every Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Transportation for veterans
to and from the VA hospitals are referred to the Disabled American Veterans,
Chapter #3 (810) 743-6096, or a veteran may apply for bus transportation through
the Soldiers Relief Commission or the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund.
For
more information, contact:
Department of Veteran Services
1101 Beach St.
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 257-3068
Hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 11:45 am
and 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
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