County of Albany Daniel P. McCoy Albany County Executive Veterans Service Bureau Newsletter Kenneth Secor March/April 2020 Director
Message from the Director Last year ended with a bunch of changes to benefits and that trend has con- tinued into this year. A lot of changes have been made in regards to Agent Services for Veterans Orange. We have put out articles about Agent Orange in the last couple Albany County Veterans Service Bureau provides information on the various newsletters but there has been continuous changes so you will probably see Veterans benefits. We aid veterans and more as we try to keep you as updated as possible on any new develop- their families with various county, ments. However, please keep an eye on the VA website for any additional state, and federal entitlements such as: changes since this newsletter is only bi-monthly and there may be pertinent changes before the next one comes out. Disability, pension, and/or Senator Schumer conducted a press conference on Feb 17th at the Ameri- compensation benefits can Legion Zaloga Post in Albany to put pressure on the VA to add four more Burial allowances, head stones, presumptive conditions (Parkinsons like symptoms, hypertension, bladder and flags cancer, & hypothyroidism. The event was well covered by the media and Educational benefits hopefully it provides enough pressure to get these conditions added. Upgrading military discharges Obtaining copies of In this issue we will discuss new Agent Orange exposure locations, expan- discharges & medical records sion of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, LGBTQ discharges get NY Job referrals benefits restored, Veterans the target of scams, Homeless Veterans Initia- Return the FAVOR cards tive, and something everyone loves, information about some free stuff for Veterans. Thank you to all Veterans for your service. New Agent Orange Exposure Location List We recently noticed that the VA added a list of locations outside of Vietnam where there was Agent Orange testing and storage. You can check the links below for these locations. If you were at any of these locations during the The Veterans Crisis Line connects dates referenced and have any of the presumptive conditions, you may be Service members and Veterans in crisis, eligible for health care or compensation. as well as their family members and Agent Orange testing and storage outside Vietnam information: friends, with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/ toll-free hotline, online chat, or text- agent-orange/testing-storage-areas/ messaging service. Locations in the US: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/locations/tests- This Free support is: storage/usa.asp Confidential Available every day, 24/7 Locations Outside the US: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/locations/tests- And serves: storage/outside-vietnam.asp All Veterans All service members 162 Washington Ave, Albany, New York 12210 | (518) 447-7710 | FAX (518) 447-7714 National Guard & Reserve www.AlbanyCounty.com/veterans Family members & friends https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
County of Albany Veterans Service Bureau Newsletter March/April 2020
Return The New York State Benefits Update F.A.V.O.R. Discount Expansion of National Purple Heart Hall of Honor For Veterans Construction will begin on a $17 million expansion of the National Purple Return the F.A.V.O.R. (Find & Assist Heart Hall of Honor in Orange County, not far from where George Washing- Veterans of Record) is a merchant ton established the Badge of Military Merit, the inspiration for the modern discount program for eligible Albany Purple Heart. Located in New Windsor, a few miles from the Washington County Veterans. The program pro- Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, the Hall will be expanded by vides veterans with a discount on almost 4,300 square feet and refurbish exhibit space, with an increased services or purchases at participating emphasis on stories of individual award recipients. merchants. Opened in 2006, the Hall is the first facility in the nation dedicated to the Veterans can enroll by bringing their estimated 1.8 million recipients, which is awarded to American military DD-214 to the Albany County Veterans personnel who have been wounded or killed by enemy action. Service Bureau office Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm. Please call for an Starting Nov. 15, the Hall will be closed during construction. An accelerated appointment to ensure availability and construction schedule will allow the facility to reopen by November 2020. timely service. During construction, a temporary exhibit about the Hall will be located at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, NY. A traveling Return the FAVOR ID application form display will also be on exhibit at the New York State Fair and at other loca- can be downloaded at: tions across the state. http://www.albanycounty.com/ veterans https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-start- construction-17-million-expansion-national-purple-heart-hall LGBTQ Discharges Get NY Benefits Restored Albany County Honor Legislation (S.45B/A.8097) enacting The Restoration of Honor Act, giving A Veteran Program LGBTQ veterans who were denied an honorable discharge because of their Each month Albany County sexual orientation or gender identity the right to apply to have their New honors a deceased Veteran York State veterans' benefits restored. Under Don't Ask Don't Tell and simi- with a ceremony at various locations lar policies hundreds of thousands of veterans received less than honorable throughout the County that includes a discharges. As a result, those individuals are ineligible for veterans' bene- County Proclamation presented to the fits. While military discharge decisions can only be formally changed by the Veteran’s family and the raising of an federal government, The Restoration of Honor Act allows these veterans to American flag that was flown over our apply to claim their New York State benefits. Nation’s Capitol in tribute to the hon- ored Veteran. The bill also restores state benefits eligibility for veterans who received less than honorable discharges as a result of military sexual trauma, traumatic Anyone (family, friends, funeral direc- brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder. This makes NY the first state tors, veterans groups, etc.) may submit to restore the benefits of veterans who received less than honorable dis- nomination form and resume for con- charges either because of these traumas or because of their LGBTQ identity. sideration. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-signs-legislation- For nomination information, process, giving-veterans-who-were-denied-honorable-discharge-due-their & criteria, please visit our webpage at: 162 Washington Ave, Albany, New York 12210 | (518) 447-7710 | FAX (518) 447-7714 http://www.albanycounty.com/ www.AlbanyCounty.com/veterans veterans
County of Albany Veterans Service Bureau Newsletter March/April 2020
Important Documents & Veterans Twice as Likely to be Target of Scams Information When Applying The internet is a powerful tool for Veterans. It allows them to keep up with friends, access their hard-earned benefits and shop for the things for Benefits they need. Unfortunately, former service members are more likely than Honorable Discharge from the Armed civilians to be targeted by online scammers while doing these things. Forces or Report of Military Separa- Veterans are twice as likely to lose money to fraud because of identity tion (DD-214) theft, phishing, impostor scams, and investment, loan, or donation de- Record of Marriage ceptions. Birth certificate or adoption papers for dependent children Many of these scammers target Veterans to alter or access their govern- Death Certificate of Veteran & any ment-provided aid, swindling them out of the money or benefits they have previous spouse earned. This is a widespread issue. Nearly 80% of Veterans say they have Divorce Papers been targeted by scams due to their service, according to an AARP survey. Veterans social security number These scams are diverse and range from phishing attempts to solicitations Department of Veterans Affairs claim for fraudulent Veteran-focused charities. or file number Annual family income information Homeless Veterans Initiative (wages, retirement, interest, etc.) VA has made ending Veteran homelessness a top priority, undertaking an unprecedented campaign to dramatically increase awareness of VA All Documents listed above may be services available for homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk of becom- copied, except for the DD-214, which ing homeless. Learn more about VA's programs and partnerships that must be a certified copy. are helping to prevent and end Veteran homelessness by visiting the Homeless website Veterans Service Officers (VSO) Free Stuff! Albany County Veterans Service Bureau Vet Tix provides free event tickets to active military, Veterans, their has three American Legion certified families, and Gold Star families. More than 6.7 million tickets have been VSO’s to assist Veterans with benefits. distributed to date. Eligibility is determined through ID.me, a third-party identity verification service that is also available to use on VA.gov. Ken Secor, SGM (Ret) Mike Good, SGM (Ret) National Park Passes provide Veterans, with a service-connected disability Jim Ader, SGT (Ret) rating, entrance to Federal recreation lands and national parks for free with an America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (518) 447-7710 or email at lifetime Access Pass. [email protected] CaptionCall provides new phone technology to keep you connected. They tackle one of the most common complaints of hearing loss by displaying Albany County captions of what the other person is saying. Users feel more confident us- Mobile Crisis Team ing the phone, taking control of day-to-day appointments, and connecting Psychiatric crisis services are available with the people they care about. Order a CaptionCall phone and learn how 24/7 at the CDPC Crisis Unit and from it’s available at no cost when you provide a professional certification of the Mobile Crisis Team. hearing loss by visiting www.CaptionCall.com or calling 1-877-557-2227.
Call (518) 549-6500 http://www.albanycounty.com/ 162 Washington Ave, Albany, New York 12210 | (518) 447-7710 | FAX (518) 447-7714 www.AlbanyCounty.com/veterans Government/Departments/ DepartmentofMentalHealth.aspx
County of Albany Veterans Service Bureau Newsletter March/April 2020
RESOURCES VA/Saratoga National Cemetary New York State Division Albany Housing Coalition VA/Stratton VA Medical Center of Veterans’ Services ARTS4VETS / Support our Troops Committee VA/Vet Center NYS DVS advocates on behalf of NY Battlefield & Beyond #HicksStrong Veterans and their families to ensure VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS they receive state and federal benefits Capital District Women Veterans granted by law for service in the US Military Family Foundation American Gold Star Mothers Armed Forces. They provide free bene- Military One Source American Legion fits advising with experienced and dedi- National Resource Directory (NRD) American Legion Ruane Post 476 cated advisors, each a Veteran, to offer NY Connects American Legion Helderberg Post 977 Veterans professional help to resolve NYS Division of Military & Naval Affairs American Legion Blanchard Post 1040 social, medical, and economic matters. NYS Division of Veterans Services American Legion Colonie Post 1256 They also manage several state bene- American Legion Voorheesville Post 1493 fits to include a Blind Annuity program, NYS Industries for Disabled (NYSID) a Gold Star Parent Annuity, and the Operation At Ease American Legion Zaloga Post 1520 Veterans Education Bureau. Patriot Flight Capital Region NY American Legion North Albany Post 1610 Patriot Guard Riders New York AmVets NYS Capital District Post 35 1-888-VETS-NYS Rolling Thunder New York 5 AUSA Capital District (1-888-838-7697) Saratoga Nat Cemetery Honor Guard Blue Star Mothers Capital Region NY2 https://veterans.ny.gov/ Soldier On Disabled American Veterans (DAV) STRIDE Adaptive Sports Jewish War Veterans New York Connects Team RWB Marine Corps League-W.D. OBrien Det 241 for Albany County The Legal Project Submarine Vets Albany-Saratoga Base This is your trusted place to go for free, Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Tri-County Council Vietnam Era Veterans unbiased information and assistance to Veterans Crisis Line Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) link to long term services and supports, VFW Watervliet Post 729 such as home care, transportation and Veterans & Community Housing Coalition meals. Their goal is to help individuals Veteran Connect Center (VCC) VFW Sheehy-Palmer Post 6776 remain in their homes as long as possi- Veterans Miracle Center VFW Weininger Post 8692 ble and work with the VA to coordinate Warriors Haven VFW Wigand Post 8444 and compliment services. US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) VA/eBenefits 162 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12210 518-447-7177 https://www.nyconnects.ny.gov/
Veterans of Foreign War American Legion US Submarine Vets Boyd-Hilton Helderberg Albany-Saratoga Base Post 7062 Post 977 PO Box 4172 Their mission is to save military lives by 11 Mill St 988 Altamont Blvd Clifton Park, NY 12065 Altamont, NY 12209 Altamont, NY 12009 albanysaratogasub- linking Veteran and active duty service (518) 861-8323 (518) 861-6848 vets.com/ members with confidential counselors www.facebook.com/ https:// Monthly meeting: via FaceTime, Skype or by locating a BoydHiltonVFW7062/ helderbergpost977.org/ 7m on first Wed local provider who can help them. at Am. Legion Post 234 Fostering a safe environment where Monthly meeting: Monthly meeting: (23 Pleasant St, they can get the help they need. 1pm on third Sun 7pm on second Mon Ballston Spa)
501 (c)(3) Nonprofit #84-2612081 162 Washington Ave, Albany, New York 12210 | (518) 447-7710 | FAX (518) 447-7714 Clifton Park, NY www.AlbanyCounty.com/veterans (518)712-9820 https://www.hicksstrong.org/
County of Albany Veterans Service Bureau Newsletter March/April 2020
UPCOMING VETERAN EVENTS Mar Women’s History Month 2-Mar Albany County Honor A Veteran Ceremony 830am American Legion Zaloga Post, Albany Catherine E. Provost, US Army Nurse Corps 3-Mar Navy Reserve Birthday 5-Mar Seabee Birthday 6-Mar Veteran Writing for Wellness/Art4Vets 930-1130am American Legion Zaloga Post, Albany 6-Mar STRIDE Wounded Warrior Snowfest Ceremony 6-10pm Hilton Garden Inn, Troy 7-Mar Saratoga National Cemetery Wreath Removal Schuylerville 7-Mar Boots to Business/Reboot 9am-5pm Div of Military & Naval Affairs, Latham 8-Mar Daylight Savings Time Starts 9-Mar Joint Veterans Committee Meeting 7pm American Legion Zaloga Post, Albany 11-Mar MHANYS Mental Health Matters Day NYS Empire State Plaza, Albany 13-Mar Veteran Writing for Wellness/Art4Vets 930-1130am American Legion Zaloga Post, Albany 14-Mar STRIDE Great Race Jiminy Peak Resort, Hancock, MA 14-Mar AUSA Capital Region Chapt. 50th Anniv. Dinner 6-10pm Elks Lodge #161, Saratoga 15-Mar American Legion Birthday 20-Mar Veteran Writing for Wellness/Art4Vets 930-1130am American Legion Zaloga Post, Albany 25-Mar Medal Of Honor Day 25-Mar Veteran Service Officer Conf 915am-1pm Albany, VAMC 27-Mar Veteran Writing for Wellness/Art4Vets 930-1130am American Legion Zaloga Post, Albany 29-Mar National Vietnam War Veterans Day 29-Mar Blanchard Post Breakfast 9am-12pm American Legion Blanchard Post, Delmar Apr Month of the Military Child 5-Apr Gold Star Spouses Day 5-Apr Live From the Front: Byline Ernie Pyle 2pm 1st Reformed Church of Scotia 6-Apr Albany County Honor A Veteran Ceremony 830am TBD Raymond H. Brown, US Marine Corps 9-Apr National Former POW Recognition Day 9-Apr Yellow Ribbon Day 12-Apr Easter 14-Apr Air Force Reserve Birthday 16-Apr Am Legion National Commander Dinner 5-9pm Holiday Inn, Saratoga 18-Apr Sons of Am Legion 1520 Fundraiser 4pm American Legion Zaloga Post, Albany 22-Apr Albany Job Fair 9am-4pm Holiday Inn Express, Latham 23-Apr Army Reserve Birthday 25-Apr Leatherstocking Honor Flight Albany to Washington, DC Send Off Ceremony 530am Albany Airport 30-Apr Military Children Day 2-May Capital District Patriot Flight Albany to Washington, DC
Every Tuesday Veterans Service Bureau at Westerlo 930-1130am Westerlo Reformed Church Every Tuesday Veterans Service Bureau at ACCESS Hilltowns 1230-230pm Berne Community Center Every Friday Veterans & Friends Breakfast 8am Gateway Diner, Albany Every Friday Art4Vets 9am-12pm American Legion Zaloga Post, Albany
162 Washington Ave, Albany, New York 12210 | (518) 447-7710 | FAX (518) 447-7714 www.AlbanyCounty.com/veterans