# Presentation: 148376

## MN HVRP ConferenceBest PracticesVETLAWJuly 31, 2006Kara Cornils – VETLAW Program Manager

**Assistance Council for Veterans**
***Serving Veterans Throughout Minnesota***

- MN HVRP ConferenceBest PracticesVETLAWJuly 31, 2006Kara Cornils – VETLAW Program Manager

## Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

- Our mission
*to provide assistance throughout Minnesota to positively motivated veterans and their families who are homeless or experiencing other life crises.  *We accomplish this mission by providing services directly or in collaboration with other service agencies.
- Serving veterans statewide since 1992
- 100% Veteran Focused
- Each month, on average, we have contacts with approximately 500 veterans statewide

## Minnesota Locations

- Minneapolis
- VAMC Campus Bldg  # 47- 13 beds
- MACV  9 Houses 26 beds
- Administration Office in Bldg # 10
- Duluth
- 	YWCA 10 dedicated rooms/beds
- Mankato
- 	   Radichel Town Homes
- 		  11 units Permanent Housing for Disabled Veterans

## Eligibility for MACV Services

- Veteran status verified – DD214
- 		Honorable Discharge
- Homeless Veteran
- Prevention
- Minnesota Resident

## What we assess with the Veteran

- Housing Status
- Health Status, mental & chemical
- Medical Problems
- Employment & Income Status

- Living Skills
- Eye & Dental Care
- Legal Issues

## Desired Outcomes

- Placement in appropriate housing
- Increased level of life/living skills
- Increased level of income
- Increased level of financial responsibility
- Increased level of health
- mental & physical
- Increased level of responsibility and connection to the community
- Increased ability to interact in relationships

## VETLAW

- Veterans Employed Through Legal Advocacy Work
- Program established November 2003
-  367 Veterans Served to date
-  553 Case files closed

## VETLAW

- Veterans Employed Through Legal Advocacy Work
- Addresses legal barriers to employment or housing for homeless veterans
- Must be a MACV participant enrolled into one of our programs
- No criminal/defense cases, no divorce, no child custody

## Civil legal issues addressed by VETLAW

**Child Support**
- Determine current obligations & facilitate communication between veteran & Child Support Agency
**Income Taxes**
- File back taxes
- Utilize free tax filing services for low income individuals
- IRS will print out past year W2 forms
- Eligible for refunds for past 3 tax years
- Earned Income Credit
- Assist veterans with setting up payment plans to IRS

## Civil legal issues addressed by VETLAW

**Criminal History Verification**
- Verify accuracy of criminal history
- Refer veteran to volunteer attorney for criminal expungement advice/information
**Student Loans**
- 1-800-FED-AID : find current service company for student loans
- Assist veterans with setting up payment plans
- Administrative Garnishment

## Civil legal issues addressed by VETLAW

**Credit**
- Verify accuracy of credit report
- 			**www.annualcreditreport.com**
- Refer veteran to credit counseling agency or volunteer attorneys for legal advice or help in dealing with creditor harassment
**Evictions/Unlawful Detainer**
- Refer veteran to volunteer housing attorney

## Outcomes

- Addressing legal issues impacts a veteran’s ability to obtain/maintain housing and employment.
- Income taxes
- In 2005 VETLAW helped 51 veterans get taxes filed.
- Total Refunds Received: $15,977
- Total Owed to IRS: $3355

## Resources

- Volunteer Lawyers Network
- Criminal Justice non-profit organizations
- Local Bar Associations
- Local Law Schools
- Legal Aid
- Courthouse Self-Help Centers
- Legal websites
- www.lawhelp.org

## CONTACT US:

- MACV Minneapolis Metro 	612-726-1327
- MACV Duluth			218-722-8763
- MACV Mankato			507-345-8258
- 				www.mac-v.org