The VOLS Veterans Initiative joined other members of the New York City Veterans Law Working Group in submitting a statement to the New York State Permanent Commission on Access to Justice. VOLS and other members of the Working Group highlight the legal issues facing older veterans and advocate for the allocation of adequate legal service providers for older veterans as we transition out of the pandemic.
The pandemic has devastated seniors, who comprise 75% of all deaths from COVID-19 in New York City. By September 2021, nationwide, more veterans have died of COVID-19 than those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003 – 2010) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2015) combined (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).
This crisis has only reinforced the urgency and importance of providing legal support and services for the senior veteran community. Providing dedicated veteran legal services is crucial to the security and stability of our aging veterans. They can alert and assist veterans to the benefits available to them, which include but are not limited, to financial support, specialized nursing home care, veteran-focused housing subsidies, and burial benefits.
Individuals who sacrificed on behalf of our country deserve the benefits, resources, and help they need as they age, and comprehensive, culturally competent legal services are essential to that mission. Dedicated veteran legal service providers are the crucial link, providing expertise on these specialized benefit programs, which may otherwise be overlooked.