Resources for Veterans: Delaware County Bar Association panelists share resources to help veterans and families
(Dec. 14, 2020) The Delaware County Bar Association (DCBA) Community Outreach Committee honored veterans Nov. 17 with a distinguished panel discussing numerous resources to help veterans. Barry VanRensler, member of the DCBA Veterans & Military Service Affairs Committee, CDR, JAGC, USNR (Ret.), moderated.
Among the resources presented:
Delaware County Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Frank Panico, Benefits Coordinator, helps Delco residents file for benefits, navigate the VA claims process, and access retirement pensions and surviving spouse benefits. The office also provides flags and markers for deceased veterans.
Richard Prebil, LASP Veterans Advocacy Project Staff Attorney
Richard A.J. Prebil, LASP Veterans Advocacy Project Staff Attorney (pictured at right), explained Legal Aid of Southeastern PA's new Veterans Advocacy Project, which launched during COVID-19. LASP helps veterans access VA benefits, upgrade their military discharges, and other legal services provided by LASP, including unemployment compensation and assistance with landlord-tenant issues. "Sometimes veterans have an undiagnosed mental or physical health condition when they are discharged," Prebil said. "Sometimes that undiagnosed mental or physical health condition is the reason for a less than honorable discharge. Regardless of an individual's level of discharge, we at Legal Aid can walk through the next steps to either apply for VA benefits or a discharge upgrade with a veteran. We are here to listen to the veteran's story and provide the highest quality legal services possible." Prospective clients who are veterans can contact LASP's Veterans Advocacy Helpline at 610-283-0884.
Delaware County Veterans Court
Jenna R. Smith, Esq., Assistant District Attorney, joined the Delco DA's office in 2013 and was assigned to veterans and mental health treatment in 2016. The office works with veterans who are involved in the criminal justice system, including patients at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Delaware County is among 51 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties which have veterans courts. In LASP's service area, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties also have Veterans Courts. The PA Courts website reports that in 2019, 189 veterans statewide graduated from this specialty court, a 75% successful graduation rate.
Jesse C. Thompson, Case Manager for the Veterans Multi Service Center (VMC) and USMC veteran
Jesse C. Thompson, Case Manager and USMC veteran, explained that VMC helps veterans with rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention, with a "housing first" model. "We provide immediate housing support without pre-conditions," he said. VMC helps veterans access VA benefits and community resources. (Note: LASP and the Delco Dept. of Veterans Affairs both are partners with VMC.)
Veterans Law Clinic (VLC) - Widener University Delaware Law School
Jennifer R. Morrell, Esq., Director, said the Veterans Law Clinic, founded in 1997, helps low-income or disabled veterans appeal adverse VA decisions. The clinic has helped veterans retroactively recover more than $13 million in benefits, she noted. VLC also assists with survivor benefits, pensions, overpayments and discharge upgrades. During COVID, the VLC has temporarily paused its work on wills and durable powers of attorney, she said.
David Keller Trevaskis, Pro Bono Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Bar Association
David Keller Trevaskis (pictured at left), Pro Bono Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, said PBA members handle cases in their areas of practice or expertise for Pennsylvania military veterans, free of charge. The PBA's Pro Bono Office and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee coordinate the program.
Wills for Heroes started after 9/11. Of the first responders who died as a result of 9/11, "Two-thirds of them died without a will," Trevaskis said. Wills for Heroes has provided more than 13,000 estate packages for first responders, many of whom are also veterans, he noted.
U.S. Veterans Legacy Project (VLP) based in Media
Media Mayor Bob McMahon described his U.S. Army career including the 1968 Tet Offensive, protecting public safety in three villages. Returning from Vietnam in February 1969, he learned that the Veterans of Foreign Wars was not accepting Vietnam veterans, adding, "Things have changed." VLP encourages veterans to share their legacy of military service through interviews, and engages Delco students through a sixth grade essay contest and elementary school participation in Delco's Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades.
2020 Delaware County Elder Law Handbook & Resource Guide
Chari M. Alson, Esq., a certified elder law attorney, pointed the audience to the newly published 2020 Delaware County Elder Law Handbook & Resource Guide. She co-edited the publication, which is available online in PDF. She also co-chairs the DCBA Elder Law Committee, is co-editor of the PBA Elder Law Section Newsletter, and is a board member of the Chester County Estate Planning Council.
Top row: William Baldwin, Executive Director, Delaware County Bar Association and President, LASP Board of Directors; moderator Barry VanRensler, Esq., CDR, JAGC, USNR (Ret.), member of the DCBA Veterans & Military Service Affairs Committee; and Frank Panico, Benefits Coordinator, Delaware County Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. Bottom row: Robert F. Kelly, Jr., DCBA President; and Bob McMahon, Media mayor and U.S. Army veteran.
Jenna R. Smith, Esq., Delaware County Assistant District Attorney assigned to Veterans Court
Jennifer R. Morrell, Esq., Director, Veterans Law Clinic, Widener University Delaware Law School
Note: A version of this story also appeared in LASP e-news.