“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.”
David Coulter, Oakland County Executive
Oakland County provides a range of services for veterans from resource fairs that help veterans sign up for the benefits they’ve earned, transportation to doctors’ appointments at the VA, job counseling and training, and even free passes to the county parks system.
“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 Veterans’ Services helps map out all the benefits they have earned at the county, state and federal levels. These benefits help veterans and their families buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and so much more.
Oakland County Veterans’ Services
More than 567, 900 veterans live in Michigan, with nearly 50,000 veterans calling Oakland County home. Oakland County Veterans’ Services has been providing Oakland County veterans and their families with professional veterans benefits advocacy and assistance for more than 60 years. The county’s veterans’ benefits counselors advocate on behalf of veterans and their dependents to access their state and federal benefits, including disability compensation, pension, healthcare, burial benefits, education, life insurance, home loans, and even provide a transportation program to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Veterans’ benefits counselors help clients navigate the process of completing and submitting applications for federal, state, and county veterans benefits. Benefits available to eligible veterans include:
- Military service-connected disability compensation
- Non-service-connected disability pension
- Veteran Administration Healthcare
- Transportation services
- Employment and education resources
- Financial support, including home loans, life insurance and other relief and compensation
- Burial benefits
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 free professional services.
For more information, visit the Oakland County Veterans’ Services website and follow along with them for programs, events, and news on Facebook. Contact them directly at veterans-services@oakgov.com, 248-858-0785 (Pontiac) or 248-655-1250 (Troy) for further guidance or assistance.
Veterans Resource Fairs
Oakland County Veterans’ Services also hosts monthly Veterans Resource Fairs open to all veterans, active duty, guard and reserves, and their families. Learn more and register for an upcoming Veteran Resource Fair on their website. Representatives from various organizations will be on-site to provide these resources:
- Free nonperishable food boxes.
- Detroit VA Healthcare System: offering registration help and exams for non-enrolled veterans.
- Oakland County Veterans’ Services: providing information and claims assistance regarding veteran benefits and giving away Meijer gift cards — to be eligible you must be a veteran and an Oakland County resident and present a copy of your DD214.
- Oakland County Neighborhood & Housing Development: helping residents with housing, counseling and more.
- 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.
- VA Suicide Prevention: providing free gun locks
- Ride SMART: providing information on their veteran transportation program
- Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency: printing DD214’s on-site
- Other Resources: free dental appointments for veterans.
Appointments with Oakland County Veterans Benefits Counselors
Oakland County Veterans’ Services has two offices that accept both appointments and walk-ins. If you are an Oakland County resident or would like to schedule an appointment regarding a veteran or dependent who is an Oakland County resident, you can view the Online Appointment Calendar or call the offices directly.
In-office appointments are available in our Pontiac and Troy Veterans’ Services Offices Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pontiac
1200 North Telegraph Rd., Building 26E
248-858-0785
Troy/South Oakland
151 Crooks Rd., Entrance B
248-655-1250
Limited outreach appointments are available at locations in Holly and Farmington Hills
Holly
2nd Tuesday of each month
Karl Richter Community Center: 300 East St.
248-858-0785
Farmington Hills
2nd Thursday of each month
CARES of Farmington Hills: 27840 Independence St.
248-655-1250
Additionally, Oakland County Veterans’ Services and Oakland County Michigan Works! (OCMW) have partnered to provide veterans with convenient access to a broad range of services at their OCMW centers in Novi, Southfield (Tuesday), and Oak Park (Thursday), which will host veterans benefits counselors one day a week.
Veterans who visit the OCMW service centers also have access to several employment services, including:
- Matching a veteran’s military experience and accomplishments with civilian occupations
- Helping them secure military-related credentials, certifications and licenses
- Preparing a veteran for conducting a successful job search
- Connecting veterans with disabled/injured veteran resources
- Finding resources available to veterans and their families to aid in the transition to civilian life
Oakland County Michigan Works! Employment Services
Veterans benefit counselors also collaborate with Oakland County Michigan Works! (OCMW) to provide veterans and transitioning service members with the tools needed to obtain employment.
OCMW provides U.S. military veterans and transitioning service members with the tools needed to obtain employment in southeast Michigan. In fact, all eligible veterans and their spouses receive priority status for job training programs.
Contact your nearest (OCMW) office to learn more about personalized career services available to you, among them:
- Job search assistance: priority access to job postings
- Career exploration and planning
- Employment barrier removal and assistance
- Training opportunities: on-the-job training, classroom training and apprenticeships
- Tuition assistance
- Workshops: interview, resume development and job searches
- Labor market information
Oakland County Michigan Works! engages with veteran-friendly employers in many industries and will work on your behalf to help you secure your next job:
- Skills assessment
- Career exploration
- Resumé writing
- Interview tips
- Job placement assistance
- Training programs
No-cost online virtual workshops covering a variety of topics are offered.
For more information about OCMW, visit their website or connect with them on Facebook and X and LinkedIn.
Veterans Transportation Program
Oakland County Veterans Services, in collaboration with the Oakland Transit Division, provides free transportation to any location in Oakland County. Participating transit providers include: SMART, WOTA, NOTA, OPC and People’s Express (PEX). To schedule your trip, call 248-419-7984 at least 72 hours in advance. A DD214 or equivalent is required.
For transportation, veterans must be in the Oakland County Veterans’ Services North Office Building, 26 East, 2nd-floor lobby, Troy/South Oakland Office lobby (entrance B), Walled Lake WIC Office or Southfield Health Department on the days listed below, before 8:30 a.m. to be transported. Home wheelchair pickups are available but must be requested in advance.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No trips | Pontiac & Troy | Pontiac & Southfield | Pontiac & Troy | Pontiac & Troy |
Appointments must be between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Contact the Pontiac office at 248-858-0785 if you have any questions.
Mental Health Resources
Many veterans face mental health injuries and illnesses, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Oakland County Veterans’ Services can help connect individuals with mental health resources and identify potential benefits, such as:
- Mental health treatment
- Service-connected disability compensation
- Therapy dogs
The Oakland County Health Division has compiled a list of additional mental health support for individuals, including veterans.
Crisis Services
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988, text 838255 or use the live chat for a 24/7 resource/crisis helpline.
Common Ground: Call 800-231-1127 for 24/7 resource/crisis helpline, confidential counseling and short-term psychiatric care.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 mental health support with a crisis counselor.
HAVEN: Call 248-334-1274 for a 24/7 crisis/support line, counseling and support groups for those experiencing domestic violence/assault.
Veterans Crisis Online Chat: Dial 988 then press 1, text 838255 or use the live chat for a 24/7 resource/crisis helpline.
Non-Crisis Services
Oakland County Community Health Network: Call 248-464-6363 for public mental health services for those who have an intellectual or developmental disability, mental health challenge or substance use disorder. The majority of these individuals have Medicaid insurance coverage.
CNS Healthcare: Call 800-615-0411 for mental health and substance use disorder services for children (7-17) and adults.
Easterseals Michigan: Call 800-395-9819 for mental health and intellectual or physical disability support for children, adults, older adults, veterans, and caregivers.
MDHHS Warmline: Call (888) PEER-753 (888-733-7753) any day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. to connect with a certified peer support specialist with their own mental health issues experience.
Oakland Family Services: Call 248-858-7766 for counseling programs for children and adults with a diagnosed mental illness or issues related to substance use disorder.
For more information on the Oakland County Health Division, visit their website and connect with them on Facebook and X.
Veterans Courts in Oakland County
The Oakland County 6th Circuit Court and the 52-1 District Court offer Veterans Courts.
Veterans Courts help identify former soldiers and get them the help they need to readjust to civilian life. Many combat veterans face serious mental health injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. Since their wounds are invisible, they often go untreated. Such disorders can lead to criminal behavior, incarceration, and suicide. The most common behaviors that a veteran might exhibit that would result in a law enforcement encounter are: speeding or traffic violations, domestic violence, fights, alcohol intoxication, and drug possession.
The goals of the Veterans Courts are to identify the veteran early in the system, connect the soldier to services the government already provides and link the veteran to a support network. Much like other specialty court programs, successful participants in the Veterans Courts go through a graduation ceremony where they are commended for their hard work and dedication.
Oakland County 6th Circuit Combat Veterans Treatment Court
The Combat Veterans Treatment Court will assist eligible United States military veterans in meeting the terms and conditions of their probation by providing judicial oversight, case management team assistance, mentoring, mental health and substance abuse treatment as well as readjustment counseling.
The Oakland County Combat Veterans Treatment Court was created in 2013, and it is the state’s only Combat Veterans Treatment Court. The goal of this specialty court is to reach Oakland County veterans who have been charged with criminal offenses related to traumatic experiences suffered in combat, conflict, search and rescue operations or recovery missions while serving our county. It focuses on the unique issues faced by our veterans and includes extensive mentoring with military veterans who can relate to the participants’ combat experiences.
Oakland County 52-1 District Veterans Court
In November 2009, the 52-1 District Court implemented its Veterans Court. It is a specialty court that aims to keep veterans out of jail for nonviolent offenses through a tightly supervised counseling and mentor program. Utilizing a mentor program allows participants of the Veterans Court to associate with a group of their peers who themselves have experienced success with such programs.
The Veterans Administration, having a specific mission of community outreach, agreed to work with the 52-1 District Court to expedite and facilitate the needs of our veteran population. A specialized focus on treating veterans opens the door to additional resources available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies that would not be available through a program dealing with non-veterans.
Additional Court and Legal Services
Beyond Oakland County, there may be additional court and legal resources available to veterans and active-duty military personnel. Call 1-800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) or visit Michigan.gov/MVAA to download the Michigan Legal Services Guide for a robust directory or services and programs.
State and Federal Veteran Service Agencies
Utilize the expertise of Oakland County’s Veteran Benefits Counselors to navigate the process of connecting with additional veteran services agencies at the regional, state and federal levels. Through their professionalism and advocacy efforts, they will follow up with various organizations on your behalf to ensure you receive the benefits you have earned.
Counselors will then work with you to complete and submit applications for veteran benefits to the appropriate agency. This will ensure that all necessary supporting evidence is submitted successfully. We are prepared to assist you in locating and obtaining supporting documentation such as military discharge papers, medical evidence, service records and more.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Benefits
VA’s 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. Veterans Health Administration
The VA is a full-service health care 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.
U.S. VA Housing Assistance
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.
Additional Resources
Many resources are available to veterans and active duty military personnel in addition to what the Oakland County Government can provide. Visit the Oakland County Veteran Services’ Resources page, or use the list below, for links to services and programs that may be of additional assistance:
Oakland Thrive
Oakland Thrive is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization created to help Oakland County businesses and support the county’s economic development with a special focus on women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and LGBTQ+ owned small businesses.
Links to Additional Programs, Resources and Services
Learn more about some of the most requested services by veterans throughout Southeast Michigan:
- Buddy to Buddy Program
- Great Lakes National Cemetery
- Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Veteran Navigators
- Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
- National Archives and Records Administration – Military Service Record Request
- Oakland Community College – Veteran Students
- Pontiac Vet Center
- Pure Michigan Talent Connect
- State of Michigan – Veterans Employment Services
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Other Veterans’ Facilities Located in Michigan
- Ann Arbor VA Medical Center
- Detroit VA Medical Center
- Pontiac VA Clinic
- Fort Custer National Cemetery
- Michigan Veteran Homes
Follow along with Oakland County on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and events year-round.