MN HVRP Conference Best Practices VETLAW July 31, 2006 Kara Cornils – VETLAW Program Manager

1. MN HVRP ConferenceBest PracticesVETLAWJuly 31, 2006Kara Cornils – VETLAW Program Manager Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans Serving Veterans Throughout Minnesota

2. Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans • Our mission • to provide assistance throughout Minnesota to positively motivated veterans and their families who are homeless or experiencing other life crises. We accomplish this mission by providing services directly or in collaboration with other service agencies. • Serving veterans statewide since 1992 • 100% Veteran Focused • Each month, on average, we have contacts with approximately 500 veterans statewide

3. Minnesota Locations • Minneapolis • VAMC Campus Bldg # 47- 13 beds • MACV 9 Houses 26 beds • Administration Office in Bldg # 10 • Duluth YWCA 10 dedicated rooms/beds • Mankato Radichel Town Homes 11 units Permanent Housing for Disabled Veterans

4. Eligibility for MACV Services • Veteran status verified – DD214 Honorable Discharge • Homeless Veteran • Prevention • Minnesota Resident

5. Housing Status Health Status, mental & chemical Medical Problems Employment & Income Status Living Skills Eye & Dental Care Legal Issues What we assess with the Veteran

6. Desired Outcomes • Placement in appropriate housing • Increased level of life/living skills • Increased level of income • Increased level of financial responsibility • Increased level of health • mental & physical • Increased level of responsibility and connection to the community • Increased ability to interact in relationships

7. VETLAW Veterans Employed Through Legal Advocacy Work Program established November 2003 367 Veterans Served to date 553 Case files closed

8. VETLAW • Veterans Employed Through Legal Advocacy Work • Addresses legal barriers to employment or housing for homeless veterans • Must be a MACV participant enrolled into one of our programs • No criminal/defense cases, no divorce, no child custody

9. Civil legal issues addressed by VETLAW • Child Support • Determine current obligations & facilitate communication between veteran & Child Support Agency • Income Taxes • File back taxes • Utilize free tax filing services for low income individuals • IRS will print out past year W2 forms • Eligible for refunds for past 3 tax years • Earned Income Credit • Assist veterans with setting up payment plans to IRS

10. Civil legal issues addressed by VETLAW • Criminal History Verification • Verify accuracy of criminal history • Refer veteran to volunteer attorney for criminal expungement advice/information • Student Loans • 1-800-FED-AID : find current service company for student loans • Assist veterans with setting up payment plans • Administrative Garnishment

11. Civil legal issues addressed by VETLAW • Credit • Verify accuracy of credit report www.annualcreditreport.com • Refer veteran to credit counseling agency or volunteer attorneys for legal advice or help in dealing with creditor harassment • Evictions/Unlawful Detainer • Refer veteran to volunteer housing attorney

12. Outcomes • Addressing legal issues impacts a veteran’s ability to obtain/maintain housing and employment. • Income taxes • In 2005 VETLAW helped 51 veterans get taxes filed. • Total Refunds Received: $15,977 • Total Owed to IRS: $3355

13. Resources • Volunteer Lawyers Network • Criminal Justice non-profit organizations • Local Bar Associations • Local Law Schools • Legal Aid • Courthouse Self-Help Centers • Legal websites • www.lawhelp.org

14. CONTACT US: • MACV Minneapolis Metro 612-726-1327 • MACV Duluth 218-722-8763 • MACV Mankato 507-345-8258 www.mac-v.org