News Photo by Crystal Nelson Alcona County Veterans Service Officer Tony Atkinson, left, on Wednesday talks with Bill Webber, right, at the Alcona County building, while Pat Smylie, chairman of the county board’s Veterans Affairs committee, second from left, and Bill Webber’s wife, Marsha, listen.

HARRISVILLE — While laid off from work during coronavirus-related shutdowns, bills began to mount for Alcona County resident Thomas VanFleteren.

The Vietnam-era veteran reached out to Alcona County’s Veterans Service officer, Tony Atkinson, who was able to help VanFleteren receive funds to pay off his bills.

The Alcona County Veterans Affairs Office receives money through the state’s County Veterans Service Fund, which helps cover the salary for a full-time Veterans Service officer and training and Veterans Affairs Office staff. The county had also earmarked $4,813 of its $50,000 grant for emergency relief for veterans who need immediate help with paying bills, buying food, or other needs.

Then the pandemic hit.

Zaneta Adams, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, said the agency has worked aggressively since the coronavirus hit the state in mid-March to make sure veterans are reached, even if only virtually, and to help alleviate the financial burdens on veterans.

The agency has implemented Check on MIVet, an initiative that connects veterans to the benefits and services they earned for their service. Anyone concerned about a veteran can fill out an online form requesting a representative to check on the veteran through a phone call.

The VA also changed how money from the County Veterans Service Fund grant could be spent so counties could help vets living in their borders.

Adams said that, in the past, those funds have been used to host events or other outreach or for technology upgrades, but the VA has since allowed counties to offer vets emergency relief.

“To date, we have about 25 counties that signed on to utilize their emergency fund grant to the tune of $1.4 million in the state of Michigan,” she said. “Other counties who would like to take part in this have until July 31 to get their application in.”

Alcona County amended its grant to reallocate $2,000 for emergency relief, including $600 in grocery vouchers to Meijer, which Atkinson, the county Veterans Service officer, said will be distributed in $50 to $100 increments.

Alpena and Montmorency counties both receive County Veteran Service Fund grants, but state officials said neither county has funds earmarked for emergency relief under the new flexibility program.

Presque Isle County does not receive grant money through the program.

Alpena County Veterans Affairs Director George Stevens said his office hasn’t had a veteran come in needing help related to the coronavirus.

Stevens said his office already has $10,000 set aside in its Veterans Relief Fund.

Montmorency County received about $30,200 for its County Veteran Service Fund grant, which is used for staffing, office and technology upgrades, and marketing or advertising for veteran support.

Calls to Montmorency County Veterans Service Officer Rick Vinton were not immediately returned.

County officials are worried state budget cuts related to the coronavirus might reduce or eliminate grant funding they have counted on to reach more veterans countywide.

Pat Smylie, chairman of the Alcona County board’s Veterans Affairs committee, said the committee is asking taxpayers in August to support a property tax in case the county loses the grant.

A veteran of the Vietnam War himself, Smylie said veterans in the county need help applying for the benefits and services for which they are eligible.

Those benefits are important to many vets.

A ramp was recently installed outside of Vietnam veteran Bill Webber’s home to help him and his wife, Marsha, with their mobility issues. He said the ramp has made “a world of difference.”

“If it hadn’t been for them, we’d be lost,” Marsha Webber said.