Senators Hinchey and Skoufis Secure $380,000 to Support Free Legal Services for Veterans and Military Families

HUDSON VALLEY, NY – On Veterans Day, State Senators Michelle Hinchey (SD-46) and James Skoufis (SD-39) announced $380,000 in state funding to support the Veterans and Military Families Advocacy Project (VMFAP), an initiative of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV), which is the only provider of free civil legal advice and direct representation to veterans and their family members in the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley. The funds secured by Hinchey and Skoufis in the 2021-2022 state budget process will enable LSHV to serve thousands of veterans who have returned from service and are now facing civil legal issues at home.

“Our veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of our country, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they have access to important civil legal guidance that can help with their most fundamental needs, including housing, health care, employment support, and disability benefits,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “I was proud to work with Senator Skoufis to secure $380,000 in state funding for the Veterans and Military Families Advocacy Project delivered by the hardworking team at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. This funding tells our Hudson Valley veterans that we understand the unique challenges they face when reintegrating back into civilian life and that we are committed to doing everything we can to support them and their families.”

Senator James Skoufis said, "I was proud to work with Senator Hinchey and Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to secure this important lifeline for Hudson Valley veterans. Transitioning from active duty to civilian life is an incredibly complex evolution for many, and is made all the more difficult when these brave individuals lack appropriate and compassionate legal guidance. Those who have sacrificed so much deserve not only a hero's welcome, but a meaningful network of support at home. This Veteran's Day, I'm thrilled to say we're expanding that network to countless Hudson Valley military men and women and their families."

Maureen A. Fox, Chief Development Officer of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley said, “Legal Services of the Hudson Valley is grateful to Senators Hinchey and Skoufis for providing invaluable support for our veterans and military families. This funding supports civil legal services, an important resource that countless servicemen and women in our community rely on, to assist with issues including housing, health care access, and military and disability benefits. Because of this support, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley will be able to continue to protect basic human needs throughout the Hudson Valley for our veterans and military families. We are so grateful to our elected officials for their support of our services and providing this lifeline for so many individuals and families." 

LSHV’s VMFAP provides free services and representation to those who have served and their families, including veterans suffering from trauma, injuries, or facing denial of benefits, eviction, foreclosure, or predatory consumer practices. From January 1 through October 31, 2021, LSHV attorneys handled 719 cases, which impacted 1,316 veteran and military family households. 47% of those cases were related to housing​, 17% to income stabilization, 11% to domestic violence and family matters, 10% to end-of-life planning, 9% to health, and 4% to consumer issues.

About Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
Founded in 1967, LSHV is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing free support, advocacy, and high-quality civil legal representation to individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake. This includes urgent legal needs such as housing emergencies, domestic violence, healthcare, children’s law and advocacy, disability and benefits, elder law, consumer fraud, and more. LSHV serves the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan), maintaining a staff of approximately 170 individuals working across ten offices throughout its service area. In 2020, LSHV handled 12,142 cases and impacted 27,380 individuals across all practice areas.

For more information about Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, visit www.lshv.org, or contact Maureen Fox at 914-949-1305 x160 or mfox@lshv.org. 

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