Michigan governor Rick Snyder will look at the bill sponsored by Senator Jim Stamas, R-Midland. If approved, the legislation will assign the state’s Veterans Affairs Agency the task of sending “welcome home” letters to veterans returning to the United States from duty.

The outreach measure is intended to ensure Michigan’s veterans a smooth transition into civilian life and employment. Veterans face many challenges when it comes to assimilating with non-military life, whether it is finding housing or dealing with health issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The letter will include information about veterans service organizations and other useful communication about job and education opportunities, as well as benefits they earned.

Stamas said the reform was a way to express appreciation to Michigan’s 650,000 veterans who “make tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedoms and way of life.”

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

According to a report released by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, only 142,260 veterans use services available to them such as health care and education resources. This number accounts for just 20% of Michigan’s veteran population.

 So why aren’t more Michigan veterans taking advantage of these services and opportunities?

The disparity can be partly attributed to poor information and lack of an organized method for distributing information about these programs.  With no central database for this information, many veterans aren’t even aware of the benefits available to them.  Additionally, the disparity is partly due to a shortage of trained and on-staff service officers necessary to meet the needs of the growing number of veterans leaving the armed forces and taking up residence in Michigan.

In an effort to increase communication and awareness of these available programs, the Veterans Affairs Agency has launched pilot programs in Wayne County and Grand Rapids.  Part of these programs include increasing staff levels to generate demand.

If you are a veteran and have questions about what benefits you are entitled to, contact the experienced professionals at Legal Help For Veterans.  Our team of lawyers and professionals are experts on veteran benefits and can help you get the help you need.  Contact us at 800-693-4800 or online at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800