$1M Fund Created For Oakland County Veterans Hurt By Coronavirus

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Oakland County has established a $1 million fund for military veterans and dependents who have been affected financially by the coronavirus pandemic, the county announced Tuesday. Those eligible can apply for up to $2,500 in emergency aid for food, housing assistance and some bills.

The $1 million Oakland County Veteran Service Fund was created by an allocation from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners using money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and a grant the county’s Veterans’ Services division received from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Eligible veterans and family members can begin applying for grants today here. The county said it has about 60,000 military veterans and about 100,000 dependents.

“No one is immune from the effects of the pandemic and our veterans and their families are no different,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “These veterans have served this country honorably and have given of themselves. At a time when some of them have been adversely affected by the coronavirus and could use some assistance, it is our responsibility to support them where we can.”

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The need must be pandemic-related and meet a necessity of daily life, the county said, and is not for the relief of an inconvenience or the purchase of a want or desire. Eligible expenses under the grant include vehicle or home repairs, utility bills, childcare if the veteran is deemed an essential worker, lodging/housing assistance, medical expenses, and food/personal care assistance.

The county said the maximum request is $2,500. Each request for food assistance cannot exceed $150, with a maximum allocation of $500.

Applicants must be an Oakland County resident and received honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, National Guard, Reserves or women’s auxiliaries or be a dependent of the veteran.