Without a doubt, many of us will face financial hardships at one point or another during our lives.

A bit of good news for veterans in Marquette County is that they can find some assistance through the Soldier Sailor Relief Act.

The state-mandated program, administered by the Marquette County Department of Veterans’ Affairs Committee, helps veterans from all branches of the military with paying for housing, medical expenses, and utility bills, among other items.

The act defines eligible relief recipients as “honorably discharged indigent members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and women’s auxiliaries and the indigent spouses, minor children, and parents of each indigent or deceased member who served during a period of war.”

The county committee recently calculated more than $24,300 has been awarded to veterans through the relief program, and that’s a figure which speaks to the importance of the initiative.

Our servicemen and women put a lot on the line for our country, and programs that assist them during difficult times is something we feel compelled to support.

Veterans benefits can be a confusing system to figure out. But luckily, we have a variety of resources people can use to help them get on top of it, and the Marquette County Department of Veterans Affairs is a good place to start.

The department’s office is located at 215 W. Hematite Drive, in Ishpeming, and its phone numbers are 906-485-1781 and 906-485-1996.

The Soldier Sailor Relief fund at the county is only one of many services offered to local veterans, and we encourage those folks interested in learning more about their benefits to reach out to the county department officials and discover what you may be eligible for.