Michigan counties report service disruptions after recalculation of County Veterans Service Fund

Members of the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Affairs and State Police heard testimony March 20 from county veteran service officers who said a mid‑cycle recalculation of the County Veterans Service Fund cut grant awards this year and harmed local services.

County leaders told the panel the grants pay frontline staff, transportation to VA medical care and local outreach programs that help veterans apply for federal benefits. Testimony described reduced positions in county offices, canceled outreach events and the elimination of some emergency relief funds.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, which administers the County Veterans Service Fund, said the agency discovered calculation and administration problems this year, called the incident an “anomaly” and said it has implemented fixes.

“We began looking at efficiencies in areas in need of improvement going all the way back to the summer of 2024,” said Todd Butler, deputy director, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Butler told the committee the agency evaluated use of grant dollars and limited initiatives to those that produced measurable connections to federal benefits. He also said the agency has “implemented the necessary changes,…