Oakland County is dedicated to honoring the service of more than 70,000 veterans who call the county “home.” The mission of the Oakland County Veterans’ Services team is to obtain the maximum benefits available to veterans and their families, while making the process as simple as possible.
Finding, applying for, receiving, and maintaining veterans’ benefits can be confusing and frustrating. Oakland County’s highly trained and accredited Veteran Benefits Counselors provide professional services at no charge.
“Oakland County veterans have served their country and citizens of this region with unmatched valor and commitment. We are proud to help them with a variety of programs and services available to these men and women from all branches of the military”
-Oakland County Executive David Coulter
Veteran Benefits
Benefits help veterans and their families buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and so much more. Oakland County Veterans’ Services helps map out all the benefits that have been earned within the county, state and federal levels. Learn more about some of the most requested services by veterans throughout Southeast Michigan:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits
VA’s www.va.gov/getstarted landing page provides Veterans and their family members the opportunity to read two newly updated booklets with information about VA benefits and services, and how to apply for them.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
The VA is a full-service healthcare provider to veterans who meet eligibility criteria. As a general rule, a veteran must be enrolled, and treatment must be at VA facilities or approved for outside facilities.
With VA health care, you’re covered for regular checkups with your primary care provider and appointments with specialists. You can access veterans health care services like home health and geriatric care, and you can get medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions. Find out how to apply for and manage the health care benefits you’ve earned.
Rent, Property Tax, Mortgage
VA housing assistance can help veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses to buy a home or refinance a loan. Benefits and services are also offered to help you build, improve, or keep your current home. Find out how to apply for and manage the Veterans housing assistance benefits you’ve earned.
Nearly $4 million in rent, mortgage, and utility assistance is available for qualified Oakland County residents whose payments are overdue because of hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oakland County Neighborhood and Housing Development Division is accepting applications for this one-time grant at www.oakgov.com/RMU until Nov. 30, 2021.
Employment
Those who served our country want to build civilian careers, and apprenticeship programs provide the ideal setting to showcase their various skills and obtain others.
Employers looking for a competitive edge, an advantage over their competition that will pay dividends today and well into the future, should consider launching a registered apprenticeship program. Veterans who served our country are ideal candidates for apprentice positions, given their work ethic, loyalty, and skills sets.
Register for a virtual workshop, taking place at 1 p.m. on Nov. 16, with Oakland County Michigan Works! as they make a case for hiring veterans to complete registered apprenticeships in a variety of industries.
Upcoming Events
November 11, 2021
Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is a chance to honor those who have served America in both war and peace, and have made incredible sacrifices to protect our nation. Check out our list of Oakland County cities, villages, and townships that are planning to host Veterans Day events, and pay tribute at an event near you.
November 18, 2021
Oakland County Veterans are invited to attend a Veterans Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 18 at VFW Post 1370 in Pontiac. Representatives will be onsite to serve all veterans, active duty, guard and reserves, and their families with these resources:
- Free nonperishable food boxes
- Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — Giving away $100 Meijer gift cards while supplies last
- Oakland County Veterans’ Services — providing information and claims assistance regarding a wide range of benefits available to veterans and their dependents
- Oakland County Housing & Neighborhood Development—helping residents with the Rent, Mortgage and Utility Relief grant application, housing counseling and more
- Oakland County Health Department — COVID-19 vaccines based on CDC guidance
- Oakland Community Health Network — addressing any behavioral health issues and concerns, including a health screening
- Oakland County Michigan Works! — providing veterans and their families with career planning, training programs, job search resources and the opportunity to meet with an employment specialist
Ongoing Events
To learn more about events for veterans in Oakland County and beyond, visit the Oakland County Veterans’ Services event page.
Contact Oakland County Veterans’ Services
Utilize the expertise of Oakland County’s Veteran Benefits Counselors to navigate the process of completing and submitting applications for veteran benefits to the appropriate agency. This will ensure that all necessary supporting evidence is submitted successfully.
Please call one of the Oakland County Veterans’ Services offices if you have questions regarding any benefits or to obtain a list of documents that are needed to assist you in the completion of any claims.
Pontiac Veterans Services Office – 248-858-0785
Troy/South Oakland Veterans Services Office – 248-655-1250
For more information, visit Oakland County Veterans’ Services website. Follow along with them for programs, events, and news on Facebook.
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