9/10/2008

New sites in Long Beach and East Los Angeles

Los Angeles - September 10, 2008 The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) has expanded its Bill Smith Homeless Veterans Project to address the increased demand for its services at a time when many veterans are returning from the wars in the Middle East. The Project, which is part of LAFLA’s legal work in Government Benefits law, was previously located in downtown Los Angeles, but has moved to LAFLA’s offices in Long Beach and East Los Angeles.

Homeless veterans comprise 25 percent of the 73,000 homeless individuals in Los Angeles County. If not homeless, many veterans live in cheap hotels and over-crowded or sub-standard housing, despite benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Legal support and advocacy remains one of the top ten unmet needs among homeless veterans.

“Our goal is to protect veterans and their families by securing government benefits, medical care and services, while stabilizing their living situation,” explained Rick Little, project director and VA Accredited Claims Agent. “Many veterans find it difficult to navigate the complex bureaucracy of the VA Department, and as a result, end up on the streets.”

The Project helps veterans with many critical services including filing claims for compensation or pension from the VA. Claims are filed on behalf of indigent veterans suffering from service-connected disabilities such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Agent Orange related disabilities, and/or disabilities suffered from returning veterans from the Persian Golf War. The Project also helps family members of living or deceased veterans apply for VA benefits.

The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is the frontline law firm for low-income people in Los Angeles. Since its founding in1929, LAFLA supports families and the community through programs that ensure safe, affordable housing; maintain economic stability; promote safety, security, and health; serve populations with special vulnerabilities; fight discrimination and protect human and civil rights. For more information on the Bill Smith Homeless Veterans Project, please visit here.