STATE GUIDE

Michigan · Disability

Disability benefits in Michigan

Based on Federal VA regulations and Michigan state-published veteran benefits. This page is a free community resource. We are not VA-accredited and do not file claims or provide legal advice (per 38 U.S.C. § 5904).

Last reviewed: 2026-04-18 · Next review: 2026-10-18

Maintained by: Veterans Benefits Navigator editorial team. Every citation links to a primary federal or state source. See editorial standards and our privacy posture.

Primary sources: 38 CFR Part 4, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

Federal VA disability compensation amounts are set by Congress and are the same in every state. Michigan publishes additional programs that may supplement what eligible veterans receive from the federal government. Verify current rules with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (opens in new tab) before relying on this page for filing decisions.

Federal disability compensation (same in every state)

The VA may rate service-connected disabilities under 38 CFR Part 4 and pay monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1110 (wartime) or § 1131 (peacetime). The combined-rating estimator computes an estimated monthly amount under 38 CFR § 4.25 if you have one or more rated conditions.

Combined Rating Estimator: estimate your overall rating under 38 CFR § 4.25.
2026 VA Compensation Rates: current monthly rate tables.
How to File a Disability Claim: federal claim walkthrough.

Reported VA processing-time medians for Michigan: initial claims approximately 150 days; approximately 365 days for Higher-Level Review. Medians do not predict any individual claim’s timeline. Retrieved 2026-04-25 from VA processing-times publication.

Michigan disability-related programs

These programs are administered by Michigan, not by the federal VA. Eligibility, application processes, and benefit amounts are set by the state and may change. Each item links to the authoritative source.

Property tax exemption

Michigan may exempt the principal residence from property tax for veterans rated 100% service-connected or receiving specially adapted housing assistance; surviving spouses may continue the exemption under conditions.

Read the rule

Vehicle registration and disabled-veteran plates

Michigan may issue Disabled Veteran license plates and waive certain registration fees for qualifying veterans through the Secretary of State.

Read the rule

Other Michigan-published programs

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. The Trust Fund provides emergency grants to eligible wartime veterans facing temporary financial hardship (rent, utilities, medical). Applications are processed through county veterans counselors; grant amounts are set by statute and program rules. Source (opens in new tab).
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption. Michigan exempts the principal residence from property tax for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled or receiving specially adapted housing assistance. Surviving spouses may continue the exemption under conditions. Source (opens in new tab).
Children of Veterans Tuition Grant. A tuition grant may be available to children of deceased or permanently and totally disabled Michigan veterans for use at Michigan public colleges and universities, subject to program eligibility rules. Source (opens in new tab).
Veteran Designation on Michigan Driver License. Michigan driver licenses and state ID cards may include a "Veteran" designation at no additional fee with DD-214 verification through the Secretary of State. Source (opens in new tab).

Where to get free, accredited help in Michigan

Many Michigan counties staff a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) who may file federal and state veteran claims at no cost. The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency typically maintains a current directory.

VA OGC accredited representative search (MI) (opens in new tab): the official federal directory.
Michigan CVSO / VSO directory (opens in new tab): published by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (opens in new tab): state-level eligibility, application forms, and appeal procedures.

By the Veterans Benefits Navigator teamLast reviewed 2026-04-18

Federal disability compensation (same in every state)

Michigan disability-related programs

Property tax exemption

Read the rule

Vehicle registration and disabled-veteran plates

Michigan may issue Disabled Veteran license plates and waive certain registration fees for qualifying veterans through the Secretary of State.

Read the rule

Other Michigan-published programs

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. The Trust Fund provides emergency grants to eligible wartime veterans facing temporary financial hardship (rent, utilities, medical). Applications are processed through county veterans counselors; grant amounts are set by statute and program rules. Source (opens in new tab).
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption. Michigan exempts the principal residence from property tax for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled or receiving specially adapted housing assistance. Surviving spouses may continue the exemption under conditions. Source (opens in new tab).
Children of Veterans Tuition Grant. A tuition grant may be available to children of deceased or permanently and totally disabled Michigan veterans for use at Michigan public colleges and universities, subject to program eligibility rules. Source (opens in new tab).
Veteran Designation on Michigan Driver License. Michigan driver licenses and state ID cards may include a "Veteran" designation at no additional fee with DD-214 verification through the Secretary of State. Source (opens in new tab).

Where to get free, accredited help in Michigan