Veteran Resources in Oakland County

A older veteran in a wheel chair is being pushed by another veteran. An active member of the air force wearing a flight suit is shaking the hand of the man in the wheel chair while another active duty air force member is wearing camo and reaching to shake his hand next.

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”

David Coulter, Oakland County Executive


Oakland County Veterans’ Services helps map out all the benefits that they have earned within 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

Oakland County Veterans’ Services helps more than 58,000 veterans who live in Oakland County with a variety of services. 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 professional services at no charge.

For more information, visit 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 that are open to all veterans, active duty, guard and reserves, and their families. Representatives from various organizations will be onsite to provide these resources:

  • FREE nonperishable food boxes
  • $50 Meijer gift cards—to be eligible you must be a veteran and Oakland County resident, and you must present a copy of your DD214
  • Detroit VA Healthcare System—registration help and exams for non-enrolled Veterans
  • Oakland County Veterans’ Services—information and claims assistance regarding veteran benefits
  • Oakland County Housing & Neighborhood Development—helping residents with housing counseling and more
  • Oakland Community Health Network—address any behavioral health issues and concerns, including behavioral health needs for children
  • Oakland County Michigan Works!—career planning, training programs, job search resources and the opportunity to meet with an employment specialist
  • Oakland County Parks & Recreation—free annual vehicle permits for veterans
  • Other Resources—free haircuts for Veterans and scheduling free dental appointments

Learn more and register for an upcoming Veteran Resource Fair on their website.

Appointments with Oakland County Veterans Benefits Counselors

Oakland County Veterans’ Services has two offices which 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 their Online Appointment Calendar or by call their offices directly.

In office appointments are available in our Pontiac and Troy Offices Monday through Friday between 8:30-4:30 at:

  • Pontiac Veterans’ Services Office
    • 1200 N. Telegraph Rd, Building 26E, Pontiac, MI 48341
    • 248-858-0785
  • Troy/South Oakland Veterans’ Services Office
    • 151 Crooks Rd, Entrance B, Troy, MI 48084
    • 248-655-1250

Limited outreach appointments are available at locations in Holly and Farmington Hills:

  • Holly – on the 2nd Tuesday of each month
    • Karl Richter Community Center
    • 300 East Street, Holly, MI 48442
    • 248-858-0785
  • Farmington Hills– on the 2nd Thursday of each month
    • CARES of Farmington Hills
    • 27840 Independence St. Farmington Hills, MI 48336
    • 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) will host veterans benefits counselors one day a week.

Veterans who visit the OCMW service centers also have access to a number of 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

Employment Services – ​Oakland County Michigan Works! Veterans Services

​Veterans’ benefit counselors also collaborate with Oakland County Michigan Works! to provide veterans and transitioning service members with the tools needed to obtain employment.

Oakland County Michigan Works! provides U.S. military veterans and transitioning service members with access to 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 Oakland County Michigan Works! 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 Veteran Services Flyer

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.

Fore more information about Oakland County MI Works! visit their website and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter and LinkedIn.

Veteran-Owned Businesses and Entrepreneur Services

Veterans can start or grow their business with help from the Oakland County Business Forward initiative. The goal is to ensure all businesses have access to the resources they need to succeed, with a special focus on including minority, woman, and veteran owned businesses. Through collaborations with partner organizations, this program provides FREE or low-cost services and provides targeted support, based on industry and business stage, which might cost thousands of dollars elsewhere.

Business Forward Consultants will work with experts in different fields to provide tailored strategies and services to help businesses succeed.

Support services specific to the veteran community included to help them grow and thrive are:

  • Gaining certification as a veteran-owned business
  • Resources for hiring veterans
  • Small business resources for veterans

Business Forward Consultants will work with veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners in a variety of venues including one-on-one consultations, training and workshops in basic business development, market research, customer identification, etc.

For feedback, questions, or more information about Business Forward, visit their website at www.OakGov.com/BusinessForward and contact them at BusinessForward@oakgov.com or 248-858-0783.

Mental Health Resources

Many veterans face mental health injuries and illness, 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:

For more information on the Oakland County Health Division, visit their website and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Free 2023-2029 Oakland County Parks and Recreation Passes

Oakland County Veterans are now able to get Free Vehicle Park Permits to Oakland County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) valid from 2023-2029.

Voter approval of the 2020 OCPR Millage Replacement and Increase allows OCPR to provide a free Vehicle Permit to seniors (age 62+) who are Oakland County residents as well as all active military, veterans and individuals with permanent disabilities.

The Free Vehicle Permit will allow free vehicle entry into all OCPR day-use parks, including Addison Oaks, Groveland Oaks (April-October), Highland Oaks, Independence Oaks, Lyon Oaks, Orion Oaks, Red Oaks, and Rose Oaks County Parks.

Questions about the Free Vehicle Permit Program? Visit the 2023-29 Free Vehicle Permit Program Guidelines for more information or contact Parks at 248-858-0916 or e-mail us at info@oaklandcountyparks.com.

Stay up to date about Oakland County Parks and Recreation by visiting their website and connecting with them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Veterans Treatment Courts in Oakland County

Lady Justice statue outside of the Oakland County Courthouse

Both the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court and the 52-1 District Court offer Veteran Treatment Courts.

Veterans Court help identify former soldiers and get them the help they need readjusting to civilian life. Many combat veterans face serious mental health injuries such a Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome or traumatic brain injury. Due to the fact that their wounds are invisible, they often go untreated. Such disorders often lead to criminal behavior, incarceration, and suicide. The most common behaviors that a veteran might exhibit which would result in a law enforcement encounter are: speeding or traffic violations, domestic violence, fights, alcohol intoxication, and drug possession.

The goals of Veterans Court are identifying the veteran early in the system, connecting the soldier to services the government already provides and linking the veteran to a support network. Much like other specialty court programs, successful participants in the Veterans Court 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 their Veterans Court. It is a specialty court which 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 of 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 resource available to veterans and active duty military personnel. Call 1-800-MICH-VET or visit Michigan.gov/MVAA to download the Michigan Legal Services Guide for a robust directory or services and programs.

Connecting with State and Federal Veteran Services Agencies

Utilize the expertise of Oakland County’s Veteran Benefits Counselors to navigate the process of connecting with additional veteran services agencies in the region, state, and federal level. 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.

Veterans Transportation Program

Oakland County Veterans’ Services provides barrier-free transportation to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Detroit and Ann Arbor for veterans seeking treatment.

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 am to be transported. Home wheelchair pickups are available, but must be requested in advance.

  • Monday: No trips
  • Tuesday: Pontiac & Troy
  • Wednesday: Pontiac & Southfield
  • Thursday: Pontiac & Walled Lake
  • Friday: Pontiac & Troy

Contact the Pontiac office at 248-858-0785 if you have any questions or to schedule a wheelchair pickup.

Oakland County Veterans' Services Transportation Program Bus


Additional Resources beyond Oakland County Government

There are many resources available to veterans and active duty military personnel in addition to what the Oakland County Government agency 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:

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Benefits

VA’s landing page, www.va.gov/getstarted, 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.

Links to Additional Programs, Resources, and Services:

Learn more about some of the most requested services by veterans throughout Southeast Michigan:

Other Veterans’ Facilities Located in Michigan

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