Washington State AG Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance

The Washington State Attorney General Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance (OMVLA) announced a centralized calendar of upcoming free legal aid clinics across the state. These events, which are coordinated with community partners, provide qualifying military personnel and veterans with free assistance for a range of civil legal issues. 

This and more is at

https://www.atg.wa.gov/veteran-and-military-resources

Appealing Your Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) Decision

If you have received an unfavorable decision (denial) from the Board of Veterans Appeals, or if you need help with a discharge upgrade, you might get free help from the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program. If you apply, they may review your case and provide you with a free attorney if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You are a veteran (or qualifying family member of a veteran); 
• You have received a denial from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA); 
• You do not have an attorney to help you; and, 
• They find at least one meritorious issue to argue before the Court.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, but you can apply to try here.

November 14: Advocating for Veterans: The Basics on VA Benefits, Discharge Upgrades and Veteran Cultural Competency 2018

There are over 21 million veterans in the U.S.; many of them are not aware of the benefits to which they are entitled. Medical and financial assistance are available to those who have served in the military, but many veterans most in need are not receiving VA benefits. Navigating the VA claims system and applying for discharge upgrades before the Department of Defense are difficult and complex processes. Attorneys play an essential role in removing barriers to VA benefits, such as:

• Lack of evidence to “service-connect” their injuries or disabilities.
• Lack of current medical or mental health evidence documenting severity of symptoms for accurate disability ratings.
• VA eligibility determinations for those given less than fully honorable discharges for behaviors that were related to minor disciplinary infractions or symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress or other service-related disabilities.

Nearly 45% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan seek compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for service related injuries; 30% of these veterans who file for VA benefits include claims for Post-Traumatic Stress. Many of those who should receive benefits will be denied. Many service members who may be VA eligible are unaware of their legal right to pursue VA benefits, and of those who do apply, more than 90% will be denied. All of them will wait months or years for the VA to issue decisions on their claims. Learn how to navigate the VA claims process and to become an effective advocate for veterans in need. This all-day program will provide an overview of VA disability law and military discharge review law. You will gain an understanding of different types of military discharges, why they are important, and how you can help veterans with less than Honorable discharges.

IMPORTANT! If you get accredited by the VA before you attend this training, the first three hours will satisfy the VA’s CLE requirement. 1. Attorneys and other advocates must be accredited to practice before the VA. To obtain accreditation you must complete this form: www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA21a.pdf. 2. Accreditation by the VA may take several weeks, so do not delay filing your application. You can speed up the process by emailing the form to OGCAccreditationMailbox@va.gov. 3. Within 12 months after accreditation you are required to complete three hours of qualifying CLE. The morning session of this program satisfies that requirement, but only if you have already received your accreditation from the VA. If you have not received it, you should still watch this program, but keep in mind that you will need to complete three additional hours of CLE within 12 months after receiving your accreditation. 4. Attorneys and other advocates who become accredited will be listed on a national VA list, and are entitled to represent veterans in their claims for benefits, on a pro bono basis, and for attorney’s fees on appeals, where they are available. Who Should Attend: Attorneys seeking meaningful pro bono opportunities and any advocate who wants to help change the life of a veteran with a disability. Attorneys seeking to meet VA’s CLE requirements for new and continuing VA accreditation should also attend. Finally, attorneys who hope to expand their practice areas to include veterans’ cases where fees are available should register for one or more of the sessions.
Title:
Advocating for Veterans: The Basics on VA Benefits, Discharge Upgrades and Veteran Cultural Competency 2018
When/Where:
November 14, 2018
9:00 AM Pacific
Webcast - Register Now!
By:
Practising Law Institute (PLI)
Credit:
Credit in most jurisdictions
Cost:
Free and open to the public.
More Information And Registration

December 18: Webcast - Better Serving Older or Disabled Veterans: A Special Session on the Intersections between Veterans Benefits, Social Security, and Medicaid

Register Now For Free!

Description: Well over one-half of the American Veteran population is elderly or disabled and entitled to a wide-range of government benefits— from income to health care to in-home services. These benefits can help a veteran and their family stave off poverty, prolong independence, and receive the supportive services they need to thrive. Yet, while many elder law, disability rights, and benefits practitioners are versed in Social Security and Medicaid, few attorneys are aware of how these benefits intersect with benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

As part of PLI’s Advocating for Veterans series, this free half-day session will empower practitioners with the tools they need to maximize their Veteran clients’ income and well-being, and to better meet their health care and long-term needs. More specifically, expert veterans and government benefits attorneys will provide practitioners with an in-depth understanding of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ lesser known Non-Service-Connected Pension benefit and break down the interplay between VA Benefits, Social Security benefits, Medicaid, and In-Home Supportive Services.

What You Will Learn

• 

  How to determine whether a Veteran is eligible for VA Non-Service-Connected Pension, including how to reduce a Veteran’s countable income in order to ensure entitlement and maximize income
• How VA Benefits and Social Security benefits intersect, including how they offset one another, the main differences between VA Non-Service-Connected Pension and SSI, and the impact of VA Non-Service-Connected Pension on SSI
• How to prolong a Veteran’s independence by using VA Non-Service-Connected Pension with or without In-Home Supportive Services to pay for in-home care and assisted living
• How to expand a Veteran’s long-term care options using VA Benefits, Medicaid, and In Home Supportive Services

Who Should Attend

• Attorneys and advocates that work with or are interested in serving American Veterans will benefit from this program.
• Elder law, disability rights advocates, and government benefits advocates may find the session particularly applicable to their practice areas.
• IMPORTANT! If you are a VA-accredited attorney and have already completed the VA’s initial CLE requirement, this program may satisfy the VA’s continuing CLE requirement to maintain accreditation. 

Title: Better Serving Older or Disabled Veterans: A Special Session on the Intersections between Veterans Benefits, Social Security, and Medicaid
When/Where:

December 18, 2017

9:00 AM Pacific

Webcast - Register Now! Credit: Cost: Free By: Practising Law Institute More Information And Registration

Agent Orange Exposure to C-123 Aircrews Not In Vietnam 1972-1982

Between 1972 and 1982, up to 2,100 U.S. Air Force (AF) Reserve personnel trained and worked on C-123 aircraft previously used to spray Agent Orange (AO) during Operation Ranch Hand (ORH) in the Vietnam War.
AO residue was found on those aircraft. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) considers AF Reservists who served in ORH C-123s ineligible for health care and disability coverage under the Agent Orange Act of 1991.
Recently, VA asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to evaluate whether service in ORH C-123s could have exposed AF Reservists to herbicide residues at levels harmful to their health. IOM found:

• The AF reservists would have experienced some exposure to chemicals from herbicide residue when working inside ORH C-123s. 
• It is plausible that, at least in some cases (which cannot be associated with specific individuals), the reservists’ exposure exceeded health guidelines for workers in enclosed settings. Thus, some reservists quite likely had problems - as the report puts it, "non-trivial increases in their risks of adverse health outcomes."

Action:

• If your client worked on those planes during that time, consult the Agent Orange Registry at your local VA Health Care Facility. The Client Does Not Have To Have Been In Or Near Vietnam - just working on those C-123s 1972-1982s. If you don't know where the Agent Orange registry is, ask at the information desk. It is not certain that VA will act on this, but it seems likely and the client has earned help for any AO-related problems. This can include medical assistance and disability pay. NOTE WELL: disability pay typically relates back to the day on which a claim has been filed. It is therefore very important to file a claim immediately, even if not all the documentation is available to complete a claim. If your client uses the online claim system, the start date is the day on which the claim STARTED to be filed, not the date on which the claim was completed. This can be an important distinction if it takes your client time to get all the documentation. Do not delay. As a general rule, your client can get the help they need filing a claim through their preferred VSO, but if they advocate delaying for any reason, your client may be better served going to the next one.
• If your client did not work on those planes but had exposure to Agent Orange in other ways, check with the Agent Orange Registry. This report is the direct result of an affected veteran advocating not for himself but for his comrades, with a long campaign of calls, letters and documentation. If the client is not currently within the rules, the rules can be changed - read more at Dogged Reservist Behind Win for Ailing C-123 Crewmen. 

Learn More:

• Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange–Contaminated C-123 Aircraft Key Findings
• Full Report 

January 12: Webcast - The Myths and Mysteries of Substance Use Disorder #MCLE

Description:
Many lawyers suffer from substance use disorder – more than is typical in the general population. Many  Fortunately, there are many attorneys who want to help to change that reality, but it’s often hard to know where to start. Would you know how to identify substance use disorder? Once you knew about the abuse, would you know how to help? So many things about substance use disorder are a mystery to us and so many things that we hear are myths. What’s the truth about substance use disorder? Join this 60 minute webinar to learn facts about substance use disorder and how to help.
Title:
The Myths and Mysteries of Substance Use Disorder
When/Where:
Monday, January 12, 2015
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
Preregister Now!
CLE credit:

• CA Attorney Protective is an Approved Multiple Activity Provider in CA
• NJ Attorney Protective is an Approved Multiple Activity Provider in NJ
• WA - Approved for 0.25 live Ethics credit and 0.75 live General credit; MCLE Activity Number 388025
• Other - CLE credit is being applied for in multiple additional states.

By:
Attorney Protective
More Information And Registration

Pension Poacher Prevention Act - Washington State

From the Washington State Attorney General, March 10, 2014

Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Pension Poacher Prevention Act today passed the Legislature with strong bipartisan support. This measure addresses the growing problem of “pension poachers” who try to scam elderly veterans. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
 Ferguson worked with Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, and Rep. Kevin Parker, R-Spokane, to secure approval for Senate Bill 6208. A coalition of veterans’ advocacy groups and organizations representing elderly Washingtonians, including AARP, supported the bill.
 “Our veterans protected us and we have a duty to protect them from scams,” said Ferguson. “The Attorney General’s Office is working hard to defend the legal rights of veterans, and this bill will improve safeguards and increase enforcement against scammers who rob veterans of their hard earned benefits.”
 “Pension poachers” represent a growing scam to separate elderly veterans from their assets. The scheme involves unscrupulous financial planners or insurance agents claiming to be veterans’ advocates. They offer “help” in submitting a claim for a specific federal U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs pension benefit called Aid and Attendance. The Federal Trade Commission and VA have each issued recent warnings about the scheme.
Poachers convince veterans to reposition their assets to try to qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit, which has specific and strict qualifications. The poachers then sell veterans often unneeded financial products or services to earn a commission or fee. Problems arise because these unscrupulous brokers often fail to deliver on their promises, do not provide full information about other veterans benefits, and do not reveal the potentially adverse consequences of the financial transactions such as loss of Medicaid eligibility.
 The Attorney General’s Pension Poacher Prevention Act will address these problems by prohibiting certain unfair and deceptive practices. The law will: Make it illegal to receive compensation for assisting with the preparation of a claim, except as allowed under the VA’s rules for accreditation; Prohibit individuals from guaranteeing a specific benefit amount; Make it illegal to misuse personal and financial information gathered for the purposes of assisting an individual with a veterans claim; and Give the Attorney General’s Office enforcement authority through the state’s consumer protection laws.
“Veterans and their families have sacrificed to protect us and as lawmakers we must do what we can to protect them,” said Sen. Andy Hill, who sponsored the legislation. “Too often scammers have defrauded veterans of their retirement savings and insurance options. By improving protections we can help secure their financial future.” “Vulnerable elderly veterans are being targeted by pension poachers offering empty promises of help,” said Rep. Kevin Parker, who sponsored a version of the bill in the House of Representatives. “Veterans are a vital part of our community and we need to work to protect them and the benefits they have earned.” "Veterans are sometimes specifically targeted for the benefits they have earned because of their service,” said Alfie Alvarado-Ramos, Director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. “Veterans and families who need claims assistance can always get it for free by contacting our agency and network of accredited veteran service officers.”

 If you're worried about a possible pension poaching scams, you can:

• Contact the AG at 1-888-551-4636 
• File a complaint at: http://www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx. 

November 10: Webcast + San Francisco - Advocating for Veterans: The Basics on VA Benefits, Discharge Upgrades and Veteran Cultural Competency

IMPORTANT!! GET ACCREDITED BY THE VA BEFORE YOU ATTEND THIS TRAINING.

Title:
Advocating for Veterans: The Basics on VA Benefits, Discharge Upgrades and Veteran Cultural Competency
When/Where:
November 10, 2014 9:00 AM Pacific
Webcast - Register Now!
Also presented in-person in San Francisco.
Description:
There are over 21 million veterans in the U.S; many of them are not aware of the benefits to which they are entitled. Medical and financial assistance are available to men and women who have served in the military, but some who can qualify are not receiving the benefits that they need. Attorneys can assist veterans with the problems that preclude them from receiving benefits, such as:

• Lack of proper paper trails to “service-connect” their injuries
• Ineligibility for benefits for those given less than fully honorable discharges for behaviors that were related to post traumatic stress disorder or minor disciplinary infractions.

What you will learn Nearly 45% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan seek compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for service related injuries. A stunning 30% suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Many of those who should receive benefits will be denied. All of them will wait months or years for the VA to issue decisions on their claims. Learn how to navigate the VA claims process and to become an effective advocate for veterans in need. This all day program will provide an overview of VA disability law and military discharge review law. You will gain an understanding of different types of military discharges, why they are important, and how you can help veterans with less than Honorable discharges. The three one-hour morning sessions provide the basics you need to represent veterans before the VA. The morning session fulfills the VA’s requirement for qualifying CLE within the first 12 months of your VA accreditation. The 1:45 session, Veteran Cultural Competency: Combat to Community will help veterans’ advocates to understand the challenges that veterans face in their transition to a noncombat community, and provide tips on interviewing and providing legal services to veterans with disabilities. The 2:45 to 5:00 sessions will provide attorneys with the tools that they need to assist veterans in upgrading their discharge status and removing stigmatizing information from their discharge documents. They will also cover the interactions between VA benefits and other public benefits, such as SSI and SSDI. Who should attend Attorneys seeking meaningful pro bono opportunities and any advocate who wants to help change the life of a veteran with a disability. Attorneys seeking to meet VA’s CLE requirements for new and continuing VA accreditation should also attend. Finally, attorneys who hope to expand their practice areas to include veterans’ cases where fees are available, should register for one or more of the sessions. Speakers:

• Becca von Behren ~ Staff Attorney, Swords to Plowshares
• Devin Bissman ~ Equal Justice Works Fellow, Swords to Plowshares
• Michael Blecker ~ Executive Director, Swords to Plowshares
• Starlyn Lara ~ Women Veteran Program Manager, Community Educator and Outreach Program Manager, Swords to Plowshares
• Nicole M. Perez ~ Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
• Kate Richardson ~ Staff Attorney/Pro Bono Coordinator, Swords to Plowshares
• Co-Chairs:
• Theresa Mesa ~ Program Developer, Office of Legal Services, The State Bar of California
• Teresa Panepinto ~ Legal Director, Swords to Plowshares
• Program Attorney: Christina Thompson ~ Program Attorney, Practising Law Institute

Credits: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
By:
Practising Law Institute
Cost:
Free
More Information And Registration

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June 10: Apple Valley, MN - Serving #Veterans and Their Families #MCLE

The Dakota County Law Library and the 1st Judicial District Bar Association (FDBA)offer monthly free Continuing Legal Education sessions. You do not have to be a FDBA member to attend.
Title:
Serving Veterans and Their Families 
When/Where:
June 10, 2014 8-9 a.m.
NOTE THE TIME!
Dakota County Law Library
Apple Valley, MN
Speaker:
Johanna Clyborne Esq.
Brekke, Clyborne & Ribich LLC (Shakopee)
By:
Dakota County Law Library
Credit:
1 CLE credit will be applied for.
More Information

June 12: Seattle - Everything Pro Bono and Public Service in and out of the WSBA #MCLE

Please join us for our next Washington State Bar Association - Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP) quarterly meeting scheduled for Immediately following the quarterly meeting we will have a one-hour CLE presentation. We are very pleased to share with you that we will have a special guest speaker: Ana Selvdige, WSBA Public Service Programs Manager, providing a presentation on “Everything Pro Bono and Public Service in and out of the WSBA.”
 This seminar will cover an overview of RPC 6.1, the various ways to comply with the rule, and the additional rules and organizations that support attorneys’ professional responsibility to assist in the provision of legal services to those who are low and moderate income.
Title:
Everything Pro Bono and Public Service in and out of the WSBA
When/Where:
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Meeting Starts: 11:30 A.M.
CLE Starts: Noon
Ben Bridge Corporate Office
2901 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor
Seattle, WA 98121.
Speaker:
Ana Selvidge is the Public Service Programs Manager for the Washington State Bar Association. These programs include the WSBA Moderate Means Program, the Call to Duty Initiative, and new initiatives to engage more and new attorneys in providing public and pro bono services. Mrs. Selvidge began working in the legal field in 2007 at the King County Bar Association running the Legal Services for the Homeless Clinics and conducting Spanish intakes for all pro bono programs. Right before joining WSBA, she was the Volunteer Manager for the six Pro Bono Services Programs at KCBA. The registration link for Ana’s presentation.
By:
WSBA Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Section
Credit:
The presentation has been approved for one credit hour CLE credit.
Cost:

• Free to members of the WSBA LAMP Section - join now!
• Others - $10

More Information And Registration

WSBA Call to Duty Program - Washington State

The WSBA Call to Duty Pledge asks you to commit in serving Washington veterans in 2014. As part of the pledge we will support you by providing resources both legal and non-legal to serve veterans, education and CLEs, and the chance to answer the various calls to duty in serving veterans.
By taking this pledge, you commit to serve veterans this year in one or more of the following ways:

• Use my legal skills to advise a nonprofit organization that serves veterans
• Mentor those who take pro bono cases that served a veteran
• Teach at a CLE on veterans legal issues
• Volunteer for one of the Call to Duty’s Days of Service or with the WA Vets Will Clinic
• Take a low-fee veteran's case through the WSBA Moderate Means Program
• Take a pro bono case from an organization who serves veterans
• Become certified to take a VA benefits case.

Pledges are automatically added to our “Call to Duty Pledge” list serve. This list serve provides the following announcements and opportunities:

• Monthly “Lunch and Learn” sessions – these webinars will highlight legal and non-legal resource helpful to serving veterans and their families 
• Volunteer openings across the state
• Access to free CLEs on issues veterans face
• Pro bono case placement
• Success stories from our members and our veterans
• First to sign-up for the Days of Service.

Members who fulfill the pledge will receive a pin, be distinguished in NWLawyer magazine, and invited to a WSBA Call to Duty awards ceremony each January.

Learn more now!

Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Training - Sign up Now!

This program provides training free of charge to attorneys who agree to counsel and/or represent a veteran/VA claimant or family member before the Veterans Court. As well as receiving the day-long training, attorneys who participate are assigned a case that has been screened for merit and provided a screening memo outlining the issues in the case. Volunteers are also assigned a mentor (a practicing veterans’ law lawyer or practitioner) to give advice and share sample pleadings. Attorneys also receive the Veterans Benefits Manual (VBM) and other resource materials.
Attorneys who participate receive free training in exchange for a commitment to handle at least one appeal that is before the Veterans Court. Attorneys with little or no prior veterans’ law experience are generally able to capably represent an appellant before the Veterans Court provided they attend the training seminar and maintain contact with their mentor. Most cases can be completed in 50 to 60 hours; many cases may require fewer hours. A typical case lasts about 1 year from the time that the attorney enters the case. Some cases may be resolved more quickly and some may take longer.
These trainings tend to fill up quickly, so register asap.
Title:
Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Training
When/Where:

Friday, May 2, 2014
9:00AM to 5:00PM
1101 K Street NW
Washington DC 20005
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
9:00AM to 5:00PM
300 North LaSalle, 11th Floor
Chicago IL 60654
The registration link will be posted February 18.Credit:
These trainings have always featured a great many free CLE credit recognized in most or all mandatory CLE states.
More Information and Registration

eBenefits: VA Disability Claims via the web!

The VA is encouraging veterans to applying for a VA disability claim online. is the fastest and quickest way to receive a decision. eBenefits, VA-Department of Defense’s joint portal, lets Veterans enter claim information electronically using a step-by-step, interview-style application, with pre-populated data fields and drop-down menus similar to popular tax preparation software. Learn more at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov

January 14: Minneapolis & Webcast: Military Veterans and Service Members in the Minnesota Criminal Justice System

Are you working with a veteran or service member in the Minnesota criminal justice system? If you are what are the unique challenges they face? What tools are available for you in helping them? Hamline Law alum John Baker (2003), who is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps and is the past chair of the new Minnesota State Bar Association Military & Veterans Affairs Section, will discuss those unique challenges and give you the tools to help work with veterans and service members. This presentation will

• Help you understand what combat stress issues are including post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury
• Help you properly identify a military veteran or service member and understand military documents and lingo
• Discuss the new Veteran Court and the Veterans Sentencing Mitigation Statute.

Title:
Military Veterans and Service Members in the Minnesota Criminal Justice System
When/Where:
January 14, 2014
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Moot Court Room (Room 100)
Hamline Law School
1536 Hewitt Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104-1284
Also Webcast
Speaker:
Attorney John Baker, retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, is the past chair of the new Minnesota State Bar Association Military & Veterans Affairs Section
By:
Hamline University School of Law
Credit:
1 credit applied for
Cost:
Free.

More Information And Registration

VADIP Dental Insurance for Veterans

Keep Them Smiling!

Are you a veteran looking for dental insurance? Although Congress has not authorized the VA to pay for dental care unless you are disabled, the VA has negotiated a new "VA Dental Insurance Program" (VADIP) that lets you purchase private dental insurance at a reduced cost.

• Your participation is voluntary.
• Purchasing a dental plan does not affect your eligibility for VA dental services and treatment.
• Coverage begins January 1, 2014.
• You pay a fixed monthly premiums for coverage and any copayments required, depending on the type of plan selected.
• You may participate if you are a veteran or are in the CHAMPVA program.

What Do You Get

• Delta Dental has three options: "Standard" "Enhanced" and "Comprehensive"
• Met Life has two options: "Standard" and "High"
• Each of them lets you add some dependents for a higher premium.

What Does It Cost

See Delta Dental Rate Calculator and Met Life Rate Calculator.
The costs vary depending on: 

• where you live
• the insurance company you pick 
• the plan ("standard" or otherwise) you pick
• the number of non-veteran dependents you include
• Whether you are enrolling as a veteran or under the CHAMPVA program.

Each plan has a monthly premium, plus copayments. These are likely to change every year so you'll want to consult the latest plan documents. Don't be shy about calling both insurance agencies and trying to see if customer service can identify the plan that comes closest to your needs - just be sure your thought about what you need and WRITTEN IT DOWN FOR REFERENCE before you make the call - you don't want to forget something in the middle of the call!

I compared the 2014 monthly premium for  for Veteran only standard option:

• Delta Dental 
• Washington State (ZIP code 98204) $12.90
• West Virginia (ZIP code 26054) $8.90 
• Met Life
• Washington State (ZIP code 98204)  $25.90
• West Virginia (ZIP code 26054) $17.27 

Keep in mind that these are probably not identical plans; the difference in prices might be due to one having different coverage than the other - or it might not.

Your situation will vary so check for yourself!

• Delta Dental Rates
• Met Life Rates

Learn more at http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vadip/

Missouri Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP)

The legal community in Missouri provides Legal Assistance to Military Personnel in a variety of ways.

For the Warrior Community

Active duty service members may wish to go first to Armed Forces Legal Assistance's online database to "locate active duty legal activities offering general legal services within the continental United States". When I checked the State of Missouri in 2013, I got:

Location (Branch)	Contact Information
MAP	Whiteman AFB (Air Force)	509 BW/JA 509 Spirit Blvd Ste 203 Whiteman AFB, MO 65305 Phone: 660-687-6809 DSN 975-6809 http://www.whiteman.af.mil/
MAP	Fort Leonard Wood (Army)	Fort Leonard Wood 316 Missouri, Bld 315 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473 Phone: 573-596-0629 None http://www.wood.army.mil/wood_cms/

• Servicemembers, veterans and their families are of course eligible to use the same resources as anyone else. Legal Services of Missouri hosts a free Legal Library, including links to legal services programs.
• The Missouri Department of Public Safety Veterans Commission focusses on other topics, but offers help in screening of complaints from veterans regarding observance of Veteran's preference in federal hiring to the Director of Employment and Training  See http://mvc.dps.mo.gov/benguide/employmentassistance.asp
• Reserve and Guard members, and their families, who are having problems during deployment or a year after, should contact the Hero At Home Program Phone: 1-800-728-JOBS. Learn more at https://worksmart.ded.mo.gov/documents/

Private Practice Attorneys

Typically, a lawyer in private practice will listen to your situation for 15 or 20 minutes, then give you an idea about how to proceed, in general terms, without charging you. If the matter is something the lawyer can help you with, but must charge for, sometimes you can work out a military-family discount, especially if you are easy to work with. The Findlaw website has a city-by-city list of lawyers in Missouri who are interested in representing active-duty military personnel, military reservists, and veterans.

For Lawyers

The Missouri State Bar according to its website,  has a Military Law Committee, but does not appear to have anything oriented towards veterans. This may be a growth opportunity for attorneys seeking to expand their practice.

More Resources?
There as to be other Missouri programs, sponsored by local bar associations, law schools, and others, in service to our warrior community. Anyone with more information on these or other programs are invited to contact me; the most convenient way is to add in a comment below. The purpose is service!

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See also

• ABA Military Pro Bono Project
• State-by-state list of LAMP programs

How Can Stateside Legal Help You?

Stateside Legal is a website intended to help servicemembers, veterans and their family members and advocates with resources such as

• Self-help legal information 
• Teaching videos about servicemembers' rights under the SCRA 
• Commonly used interactive forms 
• An interactive map of free legal aid offices 
• Research tools for legal advocates
• Etc.

Servicemembers, veterans, their families and friends who can't find the resources they need for a legal issue should check out resources such as their "Find Local Help" page. On the other hand, if you provide such services, you should check to see that you are on that page and, if not, contact the website to get added. 

November 1: Webcast - Advocating for Veterans: The Basics on VA Benefits, Discharge Upgrades and Veteran Cultural Competency 2013

There are over 21 million veterans in the U.S.; many of them are not aware of the benefits to which they are entitled. Medical and financial assistance are available to men and women who have served in the military, but some who can qualify are not receiving the benefits that they need. Attorneys can assist veterans with the problems that preclude them from receiving benefits, such as:

• Lack of proper paper trails to “service-connect” their injuries
• Ineligibility for benefits for those given less than fully honorable discharges for behaviors that were related to post traumatic stress disorder or minor disciplinary infractions

Nearly 45% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan seek compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for service related injuries. A stunning 30% suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.  Many of those who should receive benefits will be denied. All of them will wait months or years for the VA to issue decisions on their claims. Learn how to navigate the VA claims process and to become an effective advocate for veterans in need. This all day program will provide an overview of VA disability law and military discharge review law. You will gain an understanding of different types of military discharges, why they are important, and how you can help veterans with less than Honorable discharges.
The three morning sessions provide the basics you need to represent veterans before the VA. The morning sessions fulfill the VA’s requirement for qualifying CLE within the first 12 months of your VA accreditation.
The 1:45pm session, Veterans’ Cultural Competency: Combat to Community, will help veterans’ advocates to understand the challenges that veterans face in their transition to a noncombat community.
The 2:45pm to 5:00pm sessions will provide attorneys with the tools that they need to assist veterans in upgrading their discharge status and removing stigmatizing information from their discharge documents.
IMPORTANT!! GET ACCREDITED BY THE VA BEFORE YOU ATTEND THIS TRAINING.

1. Attorneys and other advocates must be accredited to practice before the VA. To obtain accreditation you must complete this form: www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA21a.pdf.
2. Accreditation by the VA may take several weeks, so do not delay filing your application. You can speed up the process by emailing the form to OGCAccreditationMailbox@va.gov, and including a copy of your State Bar Certificate of Good Standing
3. Within 12 months of accreditation you are required to complete three hours of qualifying CLE. The morning session of this program satisfies that requirement, but only if you have already received your accreditation from the VA.

Attorneys and other advocates who become accredited will be listed on a national VA list, and are entitled to represent veterans in their claims for benefits, on a pro bono basis, and for attorney’s fees on appeals, where they are available.
Title:
Advocating for Veterans: The Basics on VA Benefits, Discharge Upgrades and Veteran Cultural Competency 2013
When/Where:
November 1, 2013
9:00 AM Pacific
San Francisco, CA
Also Webcast
Speakers:

• Co-Chair(s)
• Theresa Mesa ~ Program Developer, Office of Legal Services, The State Bar of California
• Teresa Panepinto ~ Legal Director, Swords to Plowshares
• Bradford Adams ~ Skadden Fellow, Swords to Plowshares
• Becca von Behren ~ Staff Attorney, Swords to Plowshares
• Michael Blecker ~ Executive Director, Swords to Plowshares
• Amy N. Fairweather ~ Policy Director, Swords to Plowshares
• Starlyn Lara ~ Women Veteran Program Manager, Community Educator and Outreach Program Manager, Swords to Plowshares
• Nicole M Perez ~ Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
• John Robert Unruh ~ Staff Attorney and Pro Bono Coordinator, Swords to Plowshares
• Program Attorney: Christina Thompson ~ Program Attorney, Practising Law Institute

Credits:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
By:
Practising Law Institute
Cost:
Free
More Information And Registration

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#Veterans Field Guild to Government Shutdown

You probably know that federal government expires Monday, September 30, 2013; while Congress could prevent a lapse, prudence requires planning for the possibility of a lapse.
VA's 2-page information sheet, the Veterans Field Guide to Government Shutdown summarizes the services that will be available and those that will be impacted by a lapse in appropriations.

The Veterans Health Administration is forward-funded and so VA will still be able to provide some services. All VA medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational including inpatient/outpatient care, prescriptions, surgery, dental treatment, extended care, mental health care, nursing home care, special health care services for women Veterans and Vet centers.

Additional services that will be available:

• Military sexual trauma counseling
• Readjustment counseling services
• Veterans Crisis Line
• Insurance processing
• Home loan processing
• My HealtheVet – all services
• Education benefits claims will be processed
• Vocational rehabilitation payments will be processed
• Compensation and pension claims will be processed
• Acquisitions Logistics Center will accept and fill prosthetics supply orders
• Office of Small and Disadvantaged Small Businesses will be open

Payments to be made Oct. 1 include disability and compensation, and education benefits payments.
See more:
http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/Field_Guide_20130927.pdf
And think about calling your Congresscritter!

Washington State: New Military and Veterans Legal Resource Guide

PRESS RELEASE FROM WASHINGTON STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Attorney General Ferguson unveils new resource for veterans, military personnel

September 10, 2013

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced a new “Military and Veterans Legal Resource Guide” to help veterans, military personnel and their families understand their legal rights and protections. ...

The guide is available online and will be distributed throughout the state.

With approximately 640,000 veteran residents, Washington State has the 12th largest veteran population in the United States.  Washington is also home to a number of major military installations, such as Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Fairchild Air Force Base, Naval Base Kitsap, and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Between active duty military personnel and members of the National Guard and Reserve, there are about 62,000 service members in Washington. Taken together, veterans and military personnel account for more than 10 percent of Washington’s total population.

Get The Guide Here