MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL August 18, 2014
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MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL Prepared by The Michigan Department of Attorney General August 18, 2014 LEGAL AND RELATED SERVICES DEDICATED TO VETERANS 1 Legal Programs For Low Income Veterans 2 Law School Clinics and Related Programs 2 Legal Services Programs 2 Pro Bono Programs 3 Legal And Legal-Related Programs For All Veterans And Active Duty Military Personnel 4 Law School Clinics and Related Programs 4 Fee-Based Legal Referral Sources 4 Agencies, Hotlines and Websites for Information, Advice and Referrals 4 Consumer Protection Issues And Resources 7 Veterans’ Treatment Courts 8 Service Officers/Counselors Who Provide Assistance With VA Benefits 10 Service Officers Affiliated with Veterans’ Organizations 10 County Service Counselors 14 Other Resources GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING VETERANS 22 Statewide/National Legal Services Programs 23 County/Regional Legal Services Programs 23 Law School Clinics And Related Programs 27 Pro Bono Programs 29 Hotlines and Websites For Information, Advice And Referrals 30 REFERRAL SERVICES FOR FEE-BASED LEGAL HELP FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS 31 State Bar Of Michigan Lawyer Referral 32 County And Local Bar Association Lawyer Referral Programs 32 Other Lawyer Referral Sources 32 LEGAL AID CLINICS 33 SELF-HELP RESOURCES FOR PRO SE ASSISTANCE 36 ii iii Prepared by the Michigan Department of Attorney General Prepared by the Michigan Department of Attorney General www.michbar.org/programs/probonomanual.cfm www.michigan.gov/AG [email protected] iv 1 Prepared by the Michigan Department of Attorney General Prepared by the Michigan Department of Attorney General Legal Programs For Low Income Veterans Law School Clinics and Legal Services Programs Pro Bono Programs The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Website: www.vetsprobono.org Related Programs Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan National Veterans Legal Services Program University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Supportive Services for Veteran Families (NVLSP) The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program was created in 1992 with a focus to provide Project SALUTE, Veterans Law Clinic, (SSVF) Lawyers Serving Warriors Program assistance to unrepresented veterans or their Veterans Appellate Clinic 7310 Woodward Website: www.nvlsp.org family members who have filed appeals at Detroit, MI 48202 University of Detroit Mercy School of Law The NVLSP’s Lawyers Serving Warriors the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Phone: (313) 964-1975 651 East Jefferson Ave. Program offers pro bono legal help to (Court). Each appellant who requests Pro Bono Website: www.nlsmichigan.org Detroit, MI 48226 veterans from all eras with two types of Program assistance receives a thorough Phone: (888) 836-5294 The main focus of the SSVF program is to help disability claims: Combat Related Special review of his or her appeal. In the event that Fax: (313) 596-9825 veterans and veteran families who are home- Compensation (CRSC) and applications to a case is not accepted by the Program, the Website: www.law.udmercy.edu less or at risk of homelessness quickly regain the Physical Disability Board of Review for veteran will receive substantive legal advice Email: [email protected] stability in permanent housing after experienc- an increase in the military disability rating. about the case. Project SALUTE provides pro bono assistance ing a housing crisis and/or homelessness. NVLSP also has a new pilot program for assis- with obtaining federal veterans’ benefits. The program provides support to very low-in- tance with VA denials of service connection for come veterans and veteran families by offering PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST). Veterans Law Clinic advises, represents case management; transportation services; and refers low-income veterans and family legal services; linkage to veterans’ and other Public Counsel: Center for Veterans members on issues related to veterans’ benefits; referrals to health care services, food Advancement benefits. pantries and other providers of basic needs; Website: www.publiccounsel.org/practice_ Veterans Appellate Clinic represents temporary financial assistance (paid directly to areas/center_for_veterans_advancement veterans with cases pending, or to be filed, a third party for rent, utilities, deposits, mov- at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. ing cost and child care); and other supportive Public Counsel’s Center for Veterans Advance- services to address housing stabilization. ment (CVA) provides representation, through pro bono partners, to veterans and their Western Michigan Legal Services families in securing government benefits (e.g., VA benefits; social security; health care Legal Aid of Western Michigan benefits), and assisting veterans in addressing Website: www.legalaidwestmich.org issues related to accessing employment, Email: [email protected] housing, medical care and supportive services. Legal Aid of Western Michigan provides assistance to veteran’s families who are homeless, in transitional housing or at risk of homelessness. Cases are referred to LAWM when there is a legal issue that can either prevent homelessness or remove an obstacle to permanent housing. For office locations, refer to section II. 2 3 Prepared by the Michigan Department of Attorney General Prepared by the Michigan Department of Attorney General Legal And Legal-Related Programs For All AW2 assists and advocates for severely Military.Com wounded, injured, and ill soldiers and their Website: www.military.com families regardless of location or military Veterans And Active Duty Military Personnel Provides general information and updates status. AW2 is part of the U.S. Army Warrior of interest to members and veterans of all Transition Command (WTC), which offers branches of the military. Law School Clinics and Fee-Based Legal Referral resources for wounded, ill and injured soldiers, veterans and their families or caregivers to Military One Source Related Programs Services promote success in the force or civilian life. Phone: (800) 342-9647 Thomas M. Cooley Law School Attorneys Admitted to Practice at Service to Soldiers Program U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Michigan Department of Military and Website: www.militaryonesource.mil Veterans Affairs Thomas M. Cooley Law School Website: Military One Source is a confidential Depart- Website: www.michigan.gov/dmva 300 S Capitol Ave www.uscourts.cavc.gov/practitioners_info.php ment of Defense-funded program which P.O. Box 13038 Comprehensive website and state agency provides comprehensive information at no Attorneys, organized by state, are knowledge- Lansing, MI 48901 that provides information and describes cost to Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve able of matters regarding veteran’s benefits Phone: (517) 371-5140 benefits available to Michigan Veterans, component members, and their families. and possibly willing to assist veterans in Website: www.cooley.edu/probono/service_ and links to the Michigan National Guard, Information includes: deployment reunion, other areas. to_soldiers.html www minationalguard com non-medical counseling, marital counseling, reintegration concerns, financial management, Cooley Law School’s Service to Soldiers Pro- National Organization of Veterans’ Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency taxes, career services, relationship, grief and gram offers free legal assistance to Michigan Advocates (NOVA) Phoenix Bld., 5th Floor loss, spouse employment and education, and military personnel with civilian legal problems; Website: 222 N. Washington Square parenting and childhood. Personalized sup- assistance is limited to rank E5 and below who www.vetadvocates.org/veterans-help/ P.O. Box 30104 port and confidential services are available are deploying, deployed, or returning from Lansing, MI 48909 24 hours a day by telephone and online. deployment. The most common requests NOVA is a national organization of attorneys and other qualified members who act as Phone: (800-642-4838) for help are with family law, estate planning, National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) creditor/debtor, and landlord/tenant issues, advocates for veterans in obtaining VA Website: www.michiganveterans.com 1 Archives Dr. but attorneys are available to help in other benefits, and related areas. Attorney members Phone: (800) Mich-Vet St. Louis, MO 63138 practice areas as well. The court filing fees are are organized by state. The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency provides Phone: (314) 801-0800 the responsibility of the client, but no legal resources relating to education, healthcare, Toll Free: (866) 272-6272 fees will be charged. Cooley’s volunteer quality of life and housing. The agency attorneys and students also assist in Agencies, Hotlines and Status Check: mpr status@nara gov connects veterans with services officers who preparing wills and powers of attorney at Websites for Information, Website: www.archives.gov/st-louis/ can help prepare the necessary forms, pre-deployment events Email: [email protected] Advice and Referrals document claims with pertinent data and Information regarding military personnel, These resources provide advice or information ensure proper submission and case health and medical records is made available on particular issues and in some instances management of claims. The agency also has upon written request with signature and date. may provide referrals. access to DD-214s that have been sent to Michigan from the National Archives. Veterans can obtain copies of DD-214 and Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) military personnel records from NPRC.