Jacobs Provides Funding for Legal Aid to Veterans

(Buffalo, NY) – State Senator Chris Jacobs (60^th SD) announced that he has secured $25,000 in the current state budget for the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo to support providing legal services to veterans and military families across Western New York. 

“We owe our veterans and their families a great debt of thanks for the many sacrifices they have made and hardships they endured while serving our country,” said Senator Jacobs.   “In returning to civilian life, it is not uncommon for them to encounter the need for legal services, and when they do, the Legal Aid Bureau will now have additional resources to assist them.”

By virtue of their service or the experiences they encounter in their return to civilian life, issues facing veterans can be varied and complex, leading them to need help in a number of different practice areas.  The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo has been providing legal assistance to veterans and their dependents dating back to 1948 on everything from housing and employment matters to financial wellbeing, bankruptcy and family law. 

“This generous funding and commitment to Legal Aid Bureau, Buffalo (LAB) and Veterans will allow LAB to greatly expand its capacity to provide legal services to Veterans,” said Legal Aid CEO David Schopp, Esq.  “Under this funding LAB attorneys will be visiting VFWs and American Legions along with other Veterans organizations to give presentations and provide access to legal services focusing on financial security, wills, living wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies, along with other services for Veterans and military families.”

Jacobs made the announcement at a Veteran’s Open House hosted by the Milton J. Brounshidle American Legion Post No. 205.  This coming Saturday, November 11, residents and communities all across the country will observe Veterans Day, and members of the Brounshidle Post will play a prominent role in services in the Town of Tonawanda.

“Per Capita, Erie County has the second highest veteran population in New York State with an estimated 50,000 Veterans having served in conflicts since 2001,” said Brounshidle Post Commander Ted Balbierz.  “Whenever possible, recognizing their service and providing assistance to these Veterans should be a priority, and we are grateful to both Senator Jacobs and the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo for their support.”

“I cannot think of a better way to show our veterans our appreciation for their outstanding service and commitment than to ensure that organizations who provide important services to them have the resources they need,” said Jacobs.  “Our veterans and their families were there for their fellow countrymen and now we must be there in their time of need,” the Senator concluded.