News Release
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
Nov. 6, 2017
Nov. 6-10 is Texas Veterans Legal
Aid Week
Free Legal Help Available for Eligible Veterans Throughout Texas
AUSTIN -
Texas veterans are invited to participate in
Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TVLAW),
a statewide effort in honor of Veterans Day coordinated by the Texas Access
to Justice Foundation. Throughout the week of Nov. 6-10, legal aid programs,
local bar associations, law schools and pro bono private lawyers will
provide free civil legal services to qualified Texas veterans in various
locations throughout the state.
Texas has the second-highest population of veterans in the nation. According
to the Department of Veterans Affairs, legal issues account for five of the
top 10 unmet needs of homeless veterans.
Obtaining access to free legal services can be critical for veterans to get
the benefits and support they need for themselves and their families.
In 2016,
more than 2,500 Texas veterans attended clinics
and workshops during Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week. Throughout the entire
year, legal aid organizations provided free legal services to more than
9,500 Texas veterans.
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation provided $1.87 million in grants this
year to 14 nonprofit organizations that provide free legal services to
veterans. The 85th Texas Legislature appropriated $3 million for the
biennium in funding to legal services for our veterans and their families.
With this funding, legal aid organizations and pro bono lawyers are able to
provide legal representation to veterans with civil legal problems
including:
-
Denial of critical medical care
-
Problems receiving benefits
-
Legal issues related to disabilities
-
Family law matters arising from deployment, and
-
Other issues that may arise due to a veteran’s absence from home during
military service
Additional Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week events are also scheduled the days
before and after the week of Nov. 6-10. For a complete list of events, visit
www.texaslawhelp.org/tvlaw-2017
NOTE: For veterans unable to attend a TVLAW event, Texas Legal Services
Center (TLSC) will host a live online ‘chat’ Nov. 6-10, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to
assist Texas veterans with legal questions, or can be reached at
1-800-622-2520, option 2. Visit: www.texaslawhelp.org.
# # #
The Texas
Access to Justice Foundation, created by the Supreme Court of Texas in
1984, is the largest state-based funding source for the provision of civil
legal aid in Texas. The organization is committed to the vision that all
Texans will have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The
Foundation administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to
assist nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to more than 100,000
Texas families each year. For more information, please visit: www.teajf.org.
Contact: Kimberly Schmitt 512-320-0099, ext. 104
kschmitt@teajf.org
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