MI HB5548

County boards of commissioners or county auditors shall pay $300.00 toward burial expenses for honorably discharged veterans, their spouses, or surviving spouses with estates not exceeding $25,000.00 (or $40,000.00 if county opts in after February 7, 2004).

Veteran applicants must have served at least 90 days of active service, or less than 90 days if discharged due to service-connected disability, and been a state resident for 6 months before entering service or 3 years before death.

Applications must be submitted within 2 years after the date of death and counties are not required to pay if the deceased left no dependents but had an estate sufficient to cover burial expenses.

Counties may opt out of the $40,000.00 estate limit by passing a majority vote resolution and filing it with the department of technology, management, and budget.

"Service" is defined as armed forces service during periods of war as specified in federal regulations, with Vietnam era service defined as February 28, 1961 through May 7, 1975, or service in hazardous duty areas with receipt of specific military medals.