Michigan Veterans News & Resources for Dec. 28, 2024

Happy Holidays from MVAA All year round, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) stands for those who served. As we close out the year, we want to share a few of our accomplishments and to remind all Michigan veterans and their families that we're always here to support you. If you're a Michigan veteran or family member, call 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838) to get connected to your earned benefits. If you're a veteran in crisis, call 988 and press 1 to get help. Watch the full video on MVAA's YouTube channel. Help MVAA learn what makes a veteran-friendly community MVAA has partnered with Altarum, a non-profit research company, to conduct a survey of Michigan veterans to determine the characteristics of a veteran-friendly community. As veterans, your experiences good and bad, are valuable to helping us determine what makes a community veteran-friendly. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Click the link below to take the survey and share your insight. The data collected will be used to plan and implement additional services for veterans and their families in Michigan.  Survey closes Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.  SURVEY Retired military paydays for 2025 Military retiree and annuitant pay day is always on the first business day of the month. If the first of the month is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, retiree pay day will occur on the prior business day, and annuitant pay will occur on the next business day. The following list of pay days can help you plan your bill paying. Learn more at Military.com. Retiree Pay Dates for 2025 MONTH DIRECT DEPOSIT DATE January Friday, Jan. 31 February Friday, Feb. 28 March Tuesday, Apr. 1 April Thursday, May 1 May Friday, May 30 June Tuesday, July 1 July Friday, Aug. 1 August Friday, Aug. 29 September Wednesday, Oct. 1 October Friday, Oct. 31 November Monday, Dec. 1 December Wednesday, Dec. 31 VA releases 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report analyzes Veteran suicide data from 2001 to 2022, with 2022 being the most recent year for which data is available. Our top clinical priority is preventing Veteran suicide. We use evidence-based research and suicide analytics as the foundation for our programs and initiatives. Our richest data related to Veteran suicide comes from our annual report. Read the full article at VA News | Health.  Common schemes targeting veterans: Disability & pension benefits, home loans & housing Many recipients of these benefits are targets for fraudulent activity. Scammers use a variety of methods to either swindle veterans out of earned benefits or convince them to apply for benefits they are not eligible for. Home loan or housing scams may involve mortgage lenders, brokers and other entities making false promises; credit organizations charging excessive fees or making false promises to provide free services. Scammers may also offer to provide you with home repair or offer to assist you with services with the intent to manipulate and/or steal from you. Learn how to protect you and your family. See your 2025 VA disability pay rates The 2025 Department of Veterans Affairs monthly disability rates for veterans with a rating of 10% or higher are available to review. These amounts are effective Dec. 1 of each year and are tax-free. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments are made to veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to veterans whose service made an existing condition worse.  You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (such as a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (such as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Visit Military.com to see the 2025 rates. LGBTQ+ Health Program has a newly updated website The VA is dedicated to providing health care for all veterans, including LGBTQ+ veterans, in an affirming and welcoming environment. VA staff and providers will respect your identities and offer routine health screenings, immunizations, and other services such as hormone treatment, tobacco cessation, mental health, suicide prevention, geriatric care, and more to ensure LGBTQ+ veterans receive the care they need and deserve.  VA providers are trained to know risk factors that impact your healthcare due to your sexual orientation, gender, race, age, and other individual factors.  Visit the updated website at VA.gov/LGBT. Michigan Treasury Alert: Fraudsters using fake letters in collections scam Michigan taxpayers with past-due tax debts should be aware of an aggressive scam making the rounds through the U.S. Postal Service, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury). In the scheme, taxpayers receive a letter about an overdue state tax bill that requests individuals contact a toll-free number to resolve the debt. The letter threatens to seize a taxpayer's property — including bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, real estate, refunds and cash — if the debt is not settled. The piece of correspondence appears credible to the taxpayer because it uses specific personal facts pulled directly from the internet and public records, as well as has an official-looking "DR-1024" form number. The scammer's letter attempts to lure the taxpayer into a situation where they could make a payment to a criminal. Learn more at Michigan Department of Treasury | Newsroom. MDARD encourages owners to help keep pets safe this holiday season As Michiganders put the final touches on their decorative displays, holiday menus, and travel plans, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding owners of some of the best ways to keep their pets healthy and safe this holiday. Keep pets safe this holiday season by following these six easy tips: Happy Tummies: Avoid feeding pets people foods. Avoid Temptations: Keep holiday decorations out of reach. Search No More: Make sure pets have proper identification. Destress and Decompress: Have a quiet space for your pets. Cleared for Take-off: Ensure your pet is fit for travel. Spread Only Joy: Make sure pets are up to date on their vaccinations and keep them home if they are sick. Learn more at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development | Newsroom. Navigate holiday mishaps with help from DIFS As we celebrate the holiday season and close out 2024, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) recommends taking a few minutes to review your insurance policies and other important financial information. A few minutes now can help ensure that your family has the protection you need going forward and avoid potential headaches during the holidays. This is also a good time to make sure you have a plan, such as a dedicated emergency fund, in case you need to pay your insurance policy's deductible or copay in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Learn more at the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services | Newsroom. Christmas trees for fish and wildlife habitat? There are better options Each year, Michiganders purchase millions of live Christmas trees. When the holidays are over though, many people wonder if there are beneficial uses for their trees rather than sending them to a landfill. The answer is yes — there are many ways that your old Christmas trees can keep on giving as habitat, but it's important to think carefully about the best way to do so. Learn more at Michigan Department of Natural Resources | Newsroom. Michigan Office of Attorney General aims to protect Michiganders during the holiday season AG issues consumer alert on scanner law protections AG issues consumer alert on risks of drop-shipping AG issues holiday gift card scam alert as part of holiday scams campaign AG issues consumer alert on sudden business closures AG warns consumers about holiday payment apps and scams AG reminds consumers to check return policies before heading to the store AG provides guidance on how to file a consumer complaint Free flu shots for veterans Eligible veterans can get a no-cost flu shot from a nearby VA clinic or within your community from one of nearly 65,000 in-network pharmacies or urgent care locations. Flu vaccines are usually available September through April. Use the online VA locator for a location near you. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE IN CRISIS: The Veterans Crisis Line is staffed by caring, qualified crisis responders who are there to help. Many of these responders are veterans themselves. Online Resources LEAN ON US: Call 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838) Visit Michigan.gov/MVAA      Follow Us on Social Media

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