Veterans & Military Advocacy

Are you a low-income military veteran or service member facing eviction, having trouble finding job stability, struggling with mental health issues, having issues securing disability benefits, or encountering other issues derailing reentry into civilian life?

Legal Services NYC provides FREE legal help to our military veterans and service members to help them achieve greater housing and financial stability and connects them with social and mental health services in the City. We have partnerships with other non-profit organizations serving veterans and we collaborate with the VA Hospitals, Veterans Centers, and housing programs throughout the City.

For free legal help, call Legal Services NYC at 917-661-4500 Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more about our intake process here.

* The information does not constitute legal advice. You should always consult an attorney regarding your matter. Legal help subject to capacity and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

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I am a veteran at risk of eviction, what do I do?

If you received a “notice of petition – non-payment” or “notice of petition – holdover” from your landlord, that means your landlord has initiated legal proceedings to evict you from your apartment. If you received a notice of petition – non-payment, you must answer the petition in person at the Housing Court Clerk’s office. The Clerk will then provide you with a court date. If you received a notice of petition – holdover, you must appear in court on the date and time stated in the notice. You should try to find a lawyer to help you during this time. If you meet eligibility requirements, you may be assigned a free housing attorney through NYC’s Right to Counsel program in housing court, which Legal Services NYC staffs on certain days. If not, there are many pro se resources available to help tenants navigate the process without legal representation in court. There are also many eviction defenses and ways to stay in your apartment, so don’t lose hope. Also, only a marshal or sheriff can evict you and your landlord must bring you to court and get a judgment first.

Learn more here.

My rent has increased significantly over the past few years, even though I am a rent stabilized tenant. Is there anything I can do?

If you are over the age of 62 or have a disability, you may be eligible to freeze your rent. Eligibility requires that your income be less than $50,000 and that you pay more than 1/3 of your income toward your rent, among other factors. For more information on these rent freezing programs, you can visit this page of NYC resources or contact our hotline.

There are also many resources for veterans who have fallen behind on their rent. 

Veterans may be eligible for CityFHEPS, a voucher that provides ongoing assistance toward your monthly rent. There are also grants available to veterans if you are denied a “one shot deal” to help fund your rent costs or if HRA does not cover the entire amount owed. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families program provides financial assistance and services to eligible Veterans and their families who are at risk of housing instability. Visit one of our partner organizations to request more information about whether you may be eligible for an SSVF grant.

What benefits are available to veterans in NYC?

The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) has several programs and initiatives to support veterans. It includes transition programs for service members returning to civilian life, housing and support services teams who are helping veterans remain housed, initiatives to assist academic institutions to support veterans on campus, and help with filing Veterans Affairs (VA) claims. You can also find resources on income support, food assistance, employment, education, transportation, among others.  

Veterans who want to connect to any of the services and programs provided by DVS should complete a VetConnectNYC Request Form. The form asks for your contact information, household size, income, and allows you to provide a brief description of the services you are seeking. If you prefer to speak to someone in person, you can walk into any of the Veteran Resource Centers located across NYC for help and resources.   

Black veterans can also obtain assistance from Black Veterans for Social Justice (BVSJ), an organization that provides veterans with employment, suicide prevention, and housing support services. 

What is Medicare Health Insurance?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program available to qualified individuals and certain dependents (spouses and/or adult disabled children). It includes:

• Older adults aged 65 or older;
• People with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months;
• Individuals with End Stage Renal Disease or ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease. 

To qualify for Medicare, you must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for a certain period of time and also have a qualifying immigration status. Many people will have to apply and enroll in Medicare on their own through the Social Security Administration, which is the government agency that handles Medicare enrollments. 

Learn more here.

What is Medicaid Health Insurance?

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program for low-income adults, children, pregnant individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities. Each state runs its Medicaid program differently. Each state’s Medicaid program requires that you and/or your family live in the state.  Medicaid health insurance does not transfer from state to state. If you were to relocate from New York to another state or vice versa, you should close your Medicaid case in the state you currently reside in before relocating and reapplying in your new state of residence.  

Medicaid is comprehensive health insurance. It covers primary and specialist care, medications and medical equipment, hospitalizations, transportation to medical appointments, medical tests like x-rays and labs, and much more.  In order to have Medicaid health insurance, you must apply for the insurance by filing an application.

Learn more here.

Do I need to enroll in Medicare if I have VA health care benefits? 

You aren’t required to sign up for Medicare if you have health care coverage through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but the VA encourages you to enroll when you turn 65 years of age. There are many reasons why enrolling in Medicare could be beneficial:

• If you enroll in Medicare, you can access health care from non-VA hospitals or providers, which gives you more options overall, especially if the nearest VA is far or not as easy to get to as you age and become less mobile. It could also be helpful if you travel to another state and need unexpected medical care.
• If you delay enrollment into Medicare and then you decide to enroll because you lose VA health care or want more options, you will pay more because you will incur a late enrollment penalty. The penalty increases every year you delay Medicare enrollment. 

If you want to enroll in Medicare, but are worried about paying the Medicare Part B premium, including any penalty, you might be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which is a New York State Medicaid program that pays the Medicare Part B premium.

Learn more about the Medicare Savings Program here.

What mental health & wellness resources are available to veterans in NYC? 

Veterans can access a variety of resources to help them manage mental and behavioral health challenges and connect them to services.  As a starting point, veterans can utilize the VetConnectNYC Request Form to connect to mental and health health services by selecting “Mental/Behavioral Health” or visit one of the Veteran Resource Centers, Some additional programs include:

• VetCheck: NYCares and DVS created a partnership that leverages volunteers to make supportive check-in calls to veterans across NYC. A request for a check in call can be made online. 
• Counseling Services through Headstrong (online), New York Presbyterian Military Family Wellness Center and NYU Steven Cohen Family Center, and VA Vet Centers. 
• Support Hotlines:
  • the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988 then press 1); 
  • NYC 988 (formerly NYC Well) connects you to free, confidential mental health support. You can speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to additional mental health and substance use services. 
• Suicide Prevention: Stop Soldier Suicide is a national nonprofit focused on stopping suicide among US veterans and service members. Veterans and service members in crisis can call 844-394-9472 for help. 

I am on active duty – what protections do I have in court?

There are state and federal laws that offer protections to servicemembers, to allow for servicemembers to fully focus on their active duty obligations. The Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act (SCRA) offers protections against eviction and foreclosure. You may be able to delay your case while you continue your service. It is important to assert this defense in Court if you are on active duty. For more information on SCRA and whether it applies to your legal case, call our hotline.

How do I get a copy of my DD214?

Accessing benefits or assistance as a veteran usually begins with a review of your DD-214 Statement of Service. If you do not have a copy of your DD-214, you can request one in several ways. You can file a request online by visiting https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html. You can also request your DD-214 by completing an SF-180 form and faxing it to 314-801-9195 or mailing it to the applicable address for your branch of service, listed on the SF-180.