FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov.
10, 2009)— Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3), Kentucky Department of
Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ken Lucas, and representatives from the
Legal Aid Society of Louisville
announced that the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has awarded a $79,000 grant
to the Legal Aid Society to provide
legal assistance to low-income veterans in Kentucky.
Kentucky is one of only four
states awarded grant money for veterans through LSC’s Technology Initiative
Grant Program.
“I am proud but not
surprised that Kentucky was one of only four states to
receive this grant,” Governor Steve Beshear said. “Kentucky has always been
a leader in providing services to veterans, and the Kentucky Department of
Veterans Affairs’ (KDVA) homeless veterans program in particular has received
national recognition. Our thanks and congratulations go to the Legal Aid Society for stepping up and finding ways in
this difficult budget climate to obtain outside funding to fill a critical
need.”
During the grant
application process, Congressman Yarmuth and Legal Aid worked together to secure
the funding, with Congressman Yarmuth calling on the LSC to support Legal Aid’s
request.
“Those who fought to
protect our rights should never be left without the resources to secure their
own,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “I’m proud to have helped Legal Aid with this
grant and will continue to work to ensure Kentucky’s veterans have an ally in every
corner – and especially within the legal process.”
Kentucky is home to
approximately 344,000 veterans. Despite its large community of veterans
and the surge of veterans returning home from the conflicts in
Iraq and Afghanistan, Kentucky does not have a legal assistance
program in place for this population.
“It’s ironic and
unacceptable that the veterans who most need legal help are those least able to
afford it,” said Ken Lucas, Commissioner of the KDVA. “This grant is a
critical component of Kentucky’s services to veterans and their
families.”
“That’s where Legal
Aid hopes to step in,” said Jeffrey Been, Executive Director of Legal Aid Society. “Veterans sacrifice so much for
their country, but often come home and face the same challenges many other
low-income citizens face, which includes a huge need for legal assistance.
This grant will allow us to reach out to veterans and assist with the legal
obstacles that prevent some vets from achieving a stable and prosperous
transition into civilian life.”
Veterans face a
broad range of legal concerns. Many are similar to those of average
citizens and encompass family, housing, consumer, probate, wills, guardianship
and bankruptcy law. By expanding Kentucky Online Self Help Assistant (KOSHA)
technology, Legal Aid will develop guided interviews to specifically fit the
legal needs of veterans. The project will also connect veterans to
existing online resources that are available from the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs and the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as
Veterans Service Organizations and nonprofit groups like the National Veterans
Legal Services Program.
Veterans also have
legal needs that are exclusive to their time in service, including a need for
information relating to the availability of benefits and assistance in
navigating the complex structure of benefits claims and appeals.
“KDVA and veterans
organizations do tremendous work pursuing disability benefits for veterans, but
still nearly a third of veterans receiving benefits go unrepresented, often
losing out on thousands of dollars per year in eligible benefits. Through
partnering with the KDVA and veterans organizations, we hope to close that gap
and get veterans the assistance they deserve,” said Marc Theriault,
attorney and project manager at Legal
Aid.
The mission of the
Legal Aid Society is to pursue
justice for people in poverty. Legal Aid provides free legal services to
low-income families and individuals facing serious threats to their physical and
economic well-being. For more information, contact Legal Aid at (502)
584-1254 or (800) 292-1862 or visit us online at
www.laslou.org
The Legal Services
Corporation is the single largest provider of civil legal aid for low-income
people in the nation. Established by Congress in 1974, LSC operates as a
private, nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice and
provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.
LSC distributes more than 95 percent of its total funding to 137 independent
nonprofit legal aid programs with 918 offices that provide legal assistance to
low-income individuals and families in every congressional
district.
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