A new funding opportunity is available from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) to fund a program operated by, or affiliated with, an accredited school of law whose students will provide legal aid for veterans, servicemembers, and their families through a clinic or fellowship model.
While the VSHSL separately invests in assisting King County residents with applying for and obtaining benefits, there is a specific and increasing need for legal assistance in obtaining veteran benefits. This demand has only grown with the passage of the PACT Act in 2022.
Filing a claim for veterans’ benefits can be a complex and daunting process. It involves navigating intricate paperwork, understanding eligibility criteria, and meeting specific documentation requirements. Veterans may also have disabilities that can result in further difficulty navigating the claims process and require the assistance of someone trained in how to file or appeal claims or request the correction of documents or military records. Law students participating in a clinic or fellowship funded through this opportunity will be trained to understand these complexities and can ensure that claims are accurately and completely filed, reducing the likelihood of delays or denials.
Funding overview
The funded program will operate a civil legal aid clinic or fellowship, providing pro-bono or low-cost legal services, to assist the King County veteran community. The clinic or fellowship will provide advice or representation to individuals seeking benefits from the federal Department of Veteran Affairs, as well as correction of military records, especially the correction of records necessary to substantiate benefit claims or which correct an injustice in the military record, such as separation due solely to gender or sexuality.
Programs must be located within King County and offer in-person services/appointments to be eligible for funding.
Funded activities may include but are not limited to:
- Create a public-facing legal aid clinic or fellowship for veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
- Identify attorney(s) to oversee law students as they provide legal services through the clinic or fellowship.
- Provide in-person services at a location or locations within King County, which may include King County Veterans Program.
- Provide benefit claims assistance to eligible clients, to include:
- Help veterans, servicemembers, and their families understand eligibility requirements and available benefits.
- Assist in the preparation and submission of initial claims.
- Provide support in gathering necessary documentation and medical records.
- Guide veterans through the appeal process for denied claims.
- Provide assistance with military record corrections, to include:
- Assist veterans in obtaining and reviewing their military records.
- Identify and document errors or omissions in service records.
- Prepare and submit applications for corrections to the appropriate military boards.
- Follow up on submitted applications and provide regular claim status updates to veterans.
Application details
Available funding: Up to $1,197,241 in Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy funds
Investment period: September 1, 2024 – December 31, 2029 (subject to change)
Questions: Contact Evan Brennan, Veteran Initiatives Manager, at ebrennan@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-8504
Applications due: July 18, 2024 by 2:00pm Pacific Time
Join the information session to learn more about the funding opportunity
A virtual information session to discuss questions related to this RFP will be held on June 27, 2024, 12:00 – 1:00pm.
Join by Zoom:
https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/82245633139
The information session will be recorded and posted here.
This will be a remote session with speech to text captioning provided. For accommodations to participate, please contact Evan Brennan by June 24, 2024.
About the VSHSL
The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), administered by the King County Department of Community and Human Services Adult Services Division, promotes healthy living, financial stability, social engagement, housing stability and service system access for veterans, seniors, and resilient communities.