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Manistee County, MI Veterans Service Office (VSO): phone and address

Find veterans benefits contacts for Manistee County, Michigan.

Offices for Manistee County

Manistee County Veterans Services

Manistee County Veterans Services

Type of help
Benefits and claims assistance
Location
Manistee

County veterans service contact for benefits and claims questions. Confirm representation and appointments directly.

Hours are not confirmed. Contact the provider before planning a visit.

For statewide phone and remote help, see the Michigan directory.

Getting help in Manistee County

Manistee County Veterans Services appears in this guide. Call the provider to confirm the type of claims help, current appointment and meeting location.

Official service directory (opens in a new tab)

Office closed right now?

Call the Claim Raven 24-hour VSO prep line to get your records ready before your appointment. Claim Raven is not a VSO office. Your VSO's number is listed above.

Call (833) 387-1649

Veterans in Manistee County

The ACS estimates about 1,730, give or take 170 civilian veterans in Manistee County.

Among Michigan's 83 counties and equivalents, Manistee County ranks 59th by its estimated number of veterans.

Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
MeasureManistee CountyMichiganUnited States
Share with a service-connected rating28 percent

above the Michigan share; below the national share.

24 percent30 percent
Share rated 70 percent or higher10 percent

the same rounded estimate as the Michigan share; below the national share.

10 percent13 percent

Veterans 75 and older in Manistee County number about 527, give or take 81; their 31 percent share is above Michigan's 29 percent.

Manistee County has about 72, give or take 33 veterans under 35, making up 4 percent of its veterans compared with 6 percent in Michigan.

Women veterans in Manistee County number about 161, give or take 57; their 9 percent share is above Michigan's 8 percent.

Income, work and education in Manistee County

Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
MeasureManistee CountyMichiganUnited States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income$44,276 ± $3,631$48,453 ± $466$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income$33,719 ± $1,454$38,782 ± $167$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over7.8% ± 2.8 points7.9% ± 0.3 points7.4% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over32.6% ± 4.4 points31.8% ± 0.5 points30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 6454.4% ± 8.6 points70.9% ± 0.8 points73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 645.5% ± 7.0 points; small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over94.1% ± 2.1 points95.1% ± 0.2 points95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over25.0% ± 5.9 points24.1% ± 0.6 points31.8% ± 0.2 points

Income is in 2024 dollars. These figures describe civilians. Poverty and disability shares use veterans whose poverty status is determined. Census disability measures daily functioning, not a VA service-connected rating. Tables and method.

VA projects fewer veterans here in 2035: about 1,000 on September 30, 2035, compared with 2,000 on September 30, 2026. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.

VA disability compensation in Manistee County

VA reports 626 veterans in Manistee County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.

VA recipients by service-connected rating, FY2025
Rating groupRecipients
0 to 20 percent164
30 to 40 percent64
50 to 60 percent70
70 to 90 percent190
100 percent138

FY2019: 434 recipients. Change to FY2025: +192.

VA does not publish some small counts. Those show as “Not published.” VA county compensation data (opens in a new tab).

VA home loans in Manistee County

In 2025, lenders reported 48 VA-backed home loans out of 521 home loans made in Manistee County (9.2% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

Average VA loan amount reported: about $268,000.

The 2026 FHFA one-unit county loan limit here is $832,750. This limit matters for a VA loan only when part of your entitlement is still tied to another VA loan. VA explains remaining entitlement and loan limits (opens in a new tab).

HMDA 2025 and FHFA 2026 sources.

When they served

The largest reported service groups are Vietnam era only (about 625, give or take 108) and between the Vietnam and Gulf War eras (about 399, give or take 85).

For questions about Vietnam-era exposure rules, read the Agent Orange presumptive conditions list; eligibility depends on your service and condition.

VA money in Manistee County

VA reported about $16.6 million in compensation and pension spending and about $12.1 million in medical care spending in Manistee County for FY2025.

Nearest VA locations

Call to confirm hours before you go.

The second-nearest medical center to Manistee County is Aleda E. Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (opens in a new tab) in Saginaw, MI, about 130 miles in a straight line from the county center.

Outside Michigan, in Green Bay, WI, Green Bay Vet Center (opens in a new tab) is Manistee County's second-nearest Vet Center, about 86 miles in a straight line from the county center.

The state registry lists Detroit RO (station 329); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.

Veterans cemeteries and State Veterans Homes

Nearest open VA national cemetery

Fort Custer National Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
15501 Dickman Road Augusta, MI 49012
269-731-4164

About 141.4 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.

Nearest VA-funded state or tribal veterans cemetery

Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
21731 Spring St Union Grove, WI 53182
262-878-5660

About 138.5 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.

This cemetery is in another state. State veterans cemeteries set their own eligibility rules, which can include residency in that state.

National Cemetery Administration lists checked October 2, 2026. Cemetery coverage and distance method.

Cleanup and former military sites in Manistee County

EPA Superfund National Priorities List

These lists use site points within county boundaries. A site may extend into another county.

For VA’s service-location rules, see the presumptive conditions list. A location listing does not establish personal exposure or eligibility.

Veterans experiencing homelessness

On one night in January 2024, Michigan Balance of State CoC counted 54 veterans experiencing homelessness (39 sheltered, 15 unsheltered).

MI-500 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid). This Balance of State area covers communities outside separate local CoCs.

The HUD workbook reports 51 veterans for the 2019 comparison. This CoC includes areas that merged after 2019.

This is a one-night count for the whole CoC area, not a county or annual total. CoC mapping method.

If you need housing help, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. You can call any time, day or night.

Your nearest VA medical center by straight-line distance is Clement J. Zablocki Veterans' Administration Medical Center (opens in a new tab), 414-384-2000. Ask for the homeless coordinator.

Housing prevention and rehousing help serving Manistee County

VA's FY2026 Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) intake list names these providers. About VA SSVF (opens in a new tab).

VA homeless programs (opens in a new tab)

Cities and towns in Manistee County

  • Manistee (city): about 6,275 residents
  • Parkdale (unincorporated community): about 573 residents
  • Kaleva (village): about 542 residents
  • Oak Hill (unincorporated community): about 519 residents
  • Wellston (unincorporated community): about 353 residents
More places (8)
  • Brethren (unincorporated community): about 318 residents
  • Eastlake (village): about 318 residents
  • Onekama (village): about 305 residents
  • Bear Lake (village): about 264 residents
  • Copemish (village): about 255 residents
  • Filer City (unincorporated community): about 178 residents
  • Stronach (unincorporated community): about 155 residents
  • Arcadia (unincorporated community): about 120 residents

Census incorporated places and census-designated places, sorted by ACS 2020-2024 population. Figures are ACS estimates for the whole place, not only the part inside this county. Places are assigned by their 2024 Census internal point and may cross county boundaries. Sources and mapping method.

Free tools and help

For the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 then press 1. VA crisis support (opens in a new tab)

Michigan benefits

Eligible Michigan veterans receiving benefits at the 100 percent permanent and total rate can request a property tax exemption.

Eligible children of veterans receiving benefits at the permanent and total rate may receive Michigan undergraduate tuition assistance.

See every Michigan benefit by rating

Get ready for your appointment

  • Your DD-214 or other discharge papers
  • Any VA decision letters you have received
  • Medical records you want to discuss

Full appointment checklist

Starting a new claim? Ask about an intent to file

Ask the office about VA Form 21-0966 to preserve a potential benefits start date while gathering evidence. Check your intent to file deadline.

Search or filter Michigan listings

Nearby counties

Sources and method

ACS 2020-2024; VA FY2025; geography/locations/benefits 2026; adjacency 2024. Distances: straight line from county center. Full method.

VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents near Manistee County

Distances are straight-line estimates between county internal points. Representatives may serve clients outside their local area.

Patrick McDonald

Attorney · Interlochen · MI · About 27 miles away

VA-accredited since 2026 · checked

VA accreditation number 61040

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Your request goes straight to Patrick McDonald's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Michigan

Karen Starr

Claims agent · Grand Rapids · MI · About 92 miles away

VA-accredited since 2013 · checked

VA accreditation number 26678

4.4 · 26 reviews · Firm rating

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Your state: Michigan

Brittany VanDam

Attorney · Grand Rapids · MI · About 92 miles away

VA-accredited since 2022 · checked

VA accreditation number 52707

4.7 · 23 reviews · Firm rating

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Your state: Michigan

Michael Viterna

Attorney · Belleville · MI · About 205 miles away

VA-accredited since 2008 · checked

VA accreditation number 10216

5.0 · 5 reviews · Firm rating

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Your state: Michigan

Gregory Hodge

Attorney · Grand Rapids · MI · About 92 miles away

VA-accredited since 2010 · checked

VA accreditation number 17574

4.7 · 23 reviews · Firm rating

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Your request goes straight to Gregory Hodge's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Michigan

VA-accredited attorneys in Michigan

Claim Raven is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We do not recommend or endorse any attorney or claims agent. Listings come from VA's public accreditation records. Paid placements are advertising. Check an attorney's accreditation on VA's accreditation search (opens in a new tab) before you hire them.

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