As a member of the Military Veterans in Journalism, it was a series of articles I wrote called, ‘Be the Story’ about my experiences during the five months I resided at Borden Ave and the abhorrent living conditions there. Those articles and my testimony in front of the New York State Assembly on Department of Veterans Affairs precipitated being placed in my own apartment in Chelsea. In addition, I was invited to join the NYC Veterans Task Force which has provided me with an insight into how the lack of access to resources and wellness increases the likelihood of drug/alcohol abuse and other risky behaviors including veteran suicide.

For the transitioning veteran new to NYC, consider that the process for obtaining sustainable housing through the NYC HUD/VASH program is one of the longest in the country. It is imperative for the veteran to realize the challenges ahead and that mental health most likely be taxed during the process. For questions and/or comments:

Veterans Justice Project

Timothy Pena

tim.pena@vetjuspro.com

https://www.vetjuspro.com/

If you need help filing a claim or appeal, you may want to work with an accredited attorney, a claims agent, or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). We trust these professionals because they’re trained and certified in the VA claims and appeals processes. They can help you with VA-related needs.

VSOs work on behalf of Veterans and service members—as well as their dependents and survivors. Find out more about accredited representatives and how they can help you.Accredited representatives and VSOs need to meet these requirements:

• Pass an exam
• Pass a background check
• Take continuing-education courses to make sure they’re providing the most up-to-date information

What does an accredited representative or a VSO do?

Accredited representatives and VSOs can help you understand and apply for VA benefits, like these:

• Financial support (monthly payments)
• Education
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
• Home loans
• Life insurance
• Pension
• Health care
• Burial benefits

These trained professionals can also help in these ways:

• Help you gather supporting documents (like a doctor’s report or medical test results)
• File a claim or appeal on your behalf
• Provide added support, like helping with transportation to medical appointments or emergency funds
• Note: If your claim has a clear factual or legal error, your accredited representative or VSO can request a faster Higher-Level Review decision through a new pilot program called Claim Accuracy Request (CAR).

Veteran Service Organizations:

• Recognized organizations and individuals can legally represent a Veteran, service member, dependent, or survivor before VA. 
• Non-recognized organizations and individuals can provide information, but can’t be representatives.

Note: Veterans Service Officers work for Veterans Service Organizations (both are called VSOs), as well as for local government offices.

Veteran Service Officers

Veteran Service Officers

VA Regional Office (Manhattan)

245 W. Houston

American Legion

(212)807-3066

Mon-Fri: 9am-2pm

Disabled American Veteran (DAV)

(212)807-3157

Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri: 8:30am-3pm

Wed: 8:30am-12pm

Paralyzed Veterans of America

(212)807-3114

Mon-Fri: 8am-4:30pm

United War Veterans

(212)693-1476

Mon-Fri: 7am-4pm

New York State Division of Veterans Affairs

(212)807-3162

Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm

Congress has mandated that veterans can receive mental health services at any VA nationally regardless of eligibility. In addition, most shelters in NYC have mental health staff on site which will determine the immediate needs of the veteran and daily mental health checks, but not otherwise instrumental in the overall mental health of the veteran. For those veterans considering any type of supportive housing, you will most likely need a 2010e Mental Health Form completed by the veteran’s mental health provider. Supportive housing applications must include a current psychiatric evaluation completed within the past six months, a current psychosocial assessment, as well as the actual HRA 2010e application form. 

The Manhattan VA had already told me I didn’t need a 2010e for supportive housing and that is false. Neither NYCHA nor HRA are going to provide supportive housing services without confirmation of mental illness or other qualifying conditions. It is recommended to immediately seek out a mental health professional for mental health support during the transition process. Avoid relying on shelter mental health providers unless in immediate crisis. Listed below are both non-VA and VA contacts.

HUD-VASH PROGRAM:

HUD-VASH is a program from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Department of Veterans Affairs VA to help veterans facing homelessness and their families find and sustain permanent housing under the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher (HCV).

The HUD/VASH program works as a rental subsidy that allows veterans to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent. Think of Section 8 for veterans. Eligible veterans will receive a voucher to begin searching for housing. Generally, veterans will pay no more than 40 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent share.

The VA pays the remaining amount to the owner on the veteran's behalf. HUD/VASH participants must comply with all program requirements, including completing their annual certification, accommodating Housing Quality Standards inspections, allowing property owners to make any needed repairs, and adhering to the terms of their lease. VA case managers connect these veterans with additional support services.

Eligibility:

• Veterans must be VA health care eligible (determined by the VA).
• Veterans must also meet the definition of homelessness defined in The McKinney Homeless Assistance Act
• HUD-VASH prioritizes the chronically homeless
• At least one member of the veteran family must meet the documentation requirements of citizenship or eligible immigration status
• Veterans must provide social security numbers for all family members who claim citizenship or eligible immigration status
• No member of the veteran household may have been convicted for production of methamphetamines in federally-assisted housing
• No member of the veteran household may be subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program
• The veteran must be within the appropriate income limits for their family size. Income limits can be found on the Section 8 eligibility page.

How to Apply:

• Call 877-424-3838 to be connected with your local VA homeless program and apply. Visit the HUD-VASH website for more information. https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp 

SSVF programs provide outreach and case management services and assist participants to obtain VA benefits and other public benefits. SSVF services include housing counseling, legal services, benefits advocacy, rental and utility assistance, child care supports, moving and storage costs, and transportation.

To receive supportive services under this program:

• Must be a member of a Veteran family.
• There must exist a documented housing crisis, either street/shelter homeless or documented imminent risk of becoming street or shelter homeless in 30 days or less.
• Proof that all other resources have been tried and denied, and “but for” the temporary financial assistance from SSVF, the Veteran will not become permanently housed or will return to homelessness in 30 days or less.

CALL (800)698-2411

Websites and PDF's

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (VA)

The SSVF Program Office

Department of Veterans Affairs 

Supportive Services for Veteran Families 

(SSVF) Program

USA.gov Rental Assistance

To receive MST-related care, you don’t need to have reported the MST at the time or have other proof that the MST happened. Veterans don't need to have a service-connected disability rating, and you may be able to get MST-related care even if you aren’t eligible for other VA services. 

Here’s how to access VA's MST-related services:

If you have a VA health care provider, consider telling that person that you experienced MST. All VA primary care and mental health providers complete training on MST and the treatment needs of people who've experienced it. Your provider can offer treatment referrals and support as needed. Call your nearest VA medical center and ask to speak to the MST coordinator. You can ask to speak with a provider of a specific gender if that would make you feel more comfortable.

If you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless:

• Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained VA counselor will offer information about VA homeless programs, health care, and other services in your area. The call is free and confidential.

• Visit our website to learn about VA programs for Veterans who are homeless.

• Learn about our homelessness programs

• Call or visit your local VA Community Resource and Referral Center. Even if you don’t qualify for VA health care, our staff can help you find non-VA resources you may qualify for in your community.

• Find your local Community Resource and Referral Center

• You can also call the VA general information hotline at 800-827-1000, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.

Pena says: During the years 2000 2019, I spent 7 ½ of that in various Arizona prisons for DUI and marijuana possession. While I was incarcerated, my best friend was responsible for nearly $14k embezzled of my VA disability. 

Office of Civil Justice

New Yorkers facing housing issues in court can get free help through HRA’s Office of Civil Justice. If you qualify, we can connect you with a free lawyer.

Call:311 or email: civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov 

Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel

The mission of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) is to identify and meet the legal needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its primary objective is to ensure the just and faithful execution of the laws, regulations and policies that the Secretary has responsibility for administering, and by so doing enable the Department to accomplish its mission of service to our Nation's veterans.

Acting General Counsel: Richard J. Hipolit 

The General Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs issues written legal opinions having precedential effect in adjudications and appeals involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by VA. The General Counsel's interpretations on legal matters, contained in such opinions, are conclusive as to all VA officials and employees not only in the matter at issue but also in future adjudications and appeals, in the absence of a change in controlling statute or regulation, Court decision, or a superseding written legal opinion of the General Counsel.  VA provides these opinions in order to give the public notice of those interpretations of the General Counsel that must be followed in future benefit matters and to assist veterans' benefit claimants and their representatives in the prosecution of benefit claim.

Legal Services NYC

1 West 125th Street, 2nd Floor

New York NY 10027

(518) 463-4741

The LSNYC Veterans Justice Project (VJP) provides comprehensive civil legal services to low-income military veterans, service members and their families. The VJP is designed to help veterans achieve greater housing and financial stability and connect veterans with social and mental health services in the City. The VJP works holistically to protect veterans and their family members from homelessness, resolve barriers to employment, preserve economic stability, and remedy many other problems that derail veterans’ successful reintegration into civilian life.

The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program

2101 L Street NW, Suite 225

Washington, DC 20037

P: (888) 838-7727 (toll free)

P: (202) 628-8164

The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program is a leading national 501(c)(3) charity that has offered free legal representation to veterans, their families and survivors at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) since 1992.

Legal Services Corporation (LSC)

3333 K Street, NW

Washington, DC 20007

T: 202-295-1500

For more than 45 years, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and its grantees, along with other legal aid programs, have been providing this help. It is the mission of LSC’s Veterans Task Force to further access to justice for veterans by:

• Raising awareness of the legal issues faced by veterans;
• Identifying ways to strengthen the relationships between legal aid providers and other veteran-serving organizations, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, treatment courts, and veterans advocacy organizations;
• Highlighting model programs that provide effective, integrated services to veterans and making recommendations for replicating or expanding those programs; and
• Recommending strategies for engaging attorneys to provide legal assistance on a pro bono basis, including for complex legal issues.

For the veteran who is without any financial means, be sure to consult with NYC HRA for emergency cash assistance. While the SSVF programs offer financial services, the SSVF programs are showing themselves to be unreliable and disconnected from the veteran’s needs. For the veteran without a checking account, Citibank has free checking for veterans with direct deposit and is quite flexible in documentation required to open an account. Credit unions offer higher protections for military members. Additionally, there are several financial advisors in the area which I have listed below:

Citibank

Locations all around NYC  

(888)248-4226

https://banking.citi.com/

Navy Federal Credit Union

300 Steamboat Rd

Kings Point, NY 11024

(888)842-6328

https://www.navyfederal.org/ 

Emergency Medical Care: During a medical emergency, you should immediately seek care at the nearest emergency department (ED). A medical emergency is an injury, illness or symptom so severe that a delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be reasonably expected to be hazardous to life or health. If you believe your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.

Veterans Legacy Memorial: The Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) is the nation’s first digital platform dedicated entirely to the memory of more than 3.7 million veterans interred in VA's national cemeteries to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans and to keep their legacies alive. New veteran VLM profile pages are usually created the day of the internment, and prior internments displayed in VLM go back as far as the Revolutionary War.

https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/ 

NCA Resources Guide: The National Cemetery Administration 

provides burial and memorial benefits for Veterans and their eligible family members, and maintains national cemeteries as national shrines, sacred to the honor and memory of those interred or memorialized there. The VA provides compassionate, professional services to ease families through the loss of their loved one. Learn more about VA Memorial Benefits. https://www.cem.va.gov/resources.asp 

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will (VA Form 10-0137)

This advance directive form is an official document where you can write down your preferences for your health care. If someday you can’t make health care decisions for yourself anymore, this advance directive can help guide the people who will make decisions for you.

You can use this form to: 

• Name specific people to make health care decisions for you 

• Describe your preferences for how you want to be treated 

• Describe your preferences for medical care, mental health care, long-term care, or other types of health care

You may complete some, none, or all sections of this form. If you need more space for any part of the form, you may attach extra pages. Be sure to initial and date every page that you attach. You also must initial the sections you complete and sign the form. If you are unable to initial or sign the form because of a physical impairment, you can place an “X”, thumbprint, or stamp on the form instead of your initials and signature.

If a physical impairment prevents you from doing any of these things, you can ask someone else who is with you to sign, place an “X”, thumbprint, or stamp on the form. When you complete this form, it's important that you also talk to a member of your health care team, family, and other loved ones to explain what you meant when you filled out the form. A member of your health care team can help you with this form and can answer any questions that you have. 

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