Veterans struggling with legal issues can get help at resource fair
By David Walter, Public Affairs Specialist
Veterans struggling with legal issues can get help and guidance during an upcoming event at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.
The Veterans Legal Resource Fair will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 6, in Matousek Auditorium at the medical center, 5000 W. National Ave.
Experts on a variety of legal issues — from child support and divorce, to taxes and court citations — will be available to answer questions and provide general consultations.
A court commissioner with Milwaukee County Circuit Court and a Milwaukee Municipal Court judge will be on hand, as well as attorneys specializing in different areas of law, from family and civil law to criminal cases.
In addition, other community agencies will be represented, including Legal Action of Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Aging Services and Child Support Services, Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic, Veterans Benefits Administration and the Milwaukee County Veteran Service Office. In all, about 25 resource partners are expected.
“This is open to any Veterans in need of assistance with legal matters; they do not have to be enrolled in VA health care to attend,” said social worker Michelle Watts. She and fellow social worker Abby Ziebell serve as Veteran Justice Program coordinators for the Milwaukee VA.
Broad range of topics
The following topics will be covered at the event:
- Child support/child custody/divorce
- Creditor/debtor issues
- Driver’s license issues
- Entitlement programs (Social Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Social Security retirement)
- Housing/landlord/foreclosures issues
- IRS controversies (liens/garnishments)
- State and federal tax information
- Milwaukee County municipal citation issues
- Misdemeanor circuit court issues
- VA benefits
- Power of attorney/estate planning
The resource fair will take place on a Saturday, so Veterans who work normal business hours won’t have to take off work to attend.
In addition, none of those involved in the event will be selling their services, Watts said; all consultations will be offered free of charge. And all the participants are volunteering their time to help Veterans.
Where to turn for help
Watts said one of the primary goals of the event is to help Veterans negatively impacted by the justice system and show them where they can turn for help.
“Our role in the Veterans Justice Program is providing legal resources for Veterans,” Watts said. “But we cannot do it alone. One of the rewarding pieces of this is letting Veterans know that the community supports them. It is a village … (coming to) the table to help address these issues. It’s a phenomenal collaboration.”
Ziebell noted that legal issues often contribute to bigger problems Veterans might face, including homelessness, lack of employment and fractured relationships with family.
Small problems can often snowball into bigger issues, Watts said. She noted one Veteran who had his Social Security benefits intercepted, which meant he couldn’t pay his rent. That led to late fees and housing instability, increasing the Veteran’s anxiety level and endangering his sobriety.
On top of this, some Veterans struggle with literacy/educational barriers or mental health problems while trying to navigate a legal system that can be complicated and overwhelming, Watts said.
“It’s just a lot,” she said, noting that the Veterans Justice Program gets referrals on a daily basis.
“This is a regular thing for us, so we know the need is there to provide assistance with civil or criminal issues,” Watts said. “It could be divorce, child support issues or even a driver’s license issue. Think about how many jobs require a driver’s license and what it means if you don’t have one because of these citations.”
Bridging the gaps
Ziebell agreed, adding that sometimes Veterans are reluctant to reach out for help because they are embarrassed or they are trying to be strong and not rely on anyone else.
“We always want to bridge those gaps and make sure they’re aware of the resources available to them … and we’re getting them the resources they need to live healthy and productive lives,” she said.
Watts and Ziebell emphasized that the event will be a “holistic approach” to getting Veterans the help they need.
“Veterans may have numerous issues, and we hope (this event) can help them address those issues,” Watts said. “We want to work with our community and make sure we have a holistic approach to addressing as many needs as we possibly can to better our communities and our Veterans.”