Oakland County veterans impacted pandemic can receive financial aid

Oakland County is ready to offer some relief for the county's 60,000 military veterans and their 100,000 dependents if they are struggling financially because of the pandemic.

The veterans and their dependents may apply for up to $2,500 in emergency aid, Oakland County Executive David Coulter said in a press release,

The $2,500 is to be used for daily necessities such as 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 relief is not to be used for simple inconveniences or wants.

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While any given veteran or dependent may be eligible for up to $2,500, only $500 is to be used for food and requested in increments of $150.

“These veterans have served this country honorably,” Coulter said. “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.”

This relief is made possible by the $1 millionOakland County Veteran Service Fund created by the county Board of Commissioners to help veterans hurt by the pandemic. It is one of several programs to combat the financial hardships of the Covid-19 pandemic, including one that targets businesses.

Eligible veterans and family members can begin applying for grants at https://www.oakgov.com/covid/grants/Pages/veterans.aspx.

Applicants must be a resident of Oakland County have 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.

People with questions about the program should contact Oakland County Veterans’ Services at 248-858-0785 or by email at veterans-services@oakgov.com.

Kaleb A. Brown is a reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at kabrown@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oakland County veterans impacted pandemic can receive financial aid

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