The Robert W. Entenmann Veterans Law Clinic at Hofstra Law has joined the New York State’s Division of Veterans’ Services as a Community Partner in helping spread the word about the Restoration of Honor Act. The act, which went into effect in New York on June 1, 2020, allows veterans who were discharged under conditions that were other-than-honorable (OTH) or general under honorable conditions to apply to have their New York State veterans’ benefits restored if the discharge resulted from:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI);
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST); or,
- Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.
Usually, veterans discharged for these reasons are barred from accessing benefits offered through both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the states, including healthcare, education, disability benefits. But now, with the Restoration of Honor Act, New York is taking the lead in restoring state benefits to veterans who were unfairly discharged for these reasons.
“June is PTSD Awareness Month and Pride Month, making the Act especially timely,” says Blair E. Thompson, assistant clinical professor and director of the Robert W. Entenmann Veterans Law Clinic. “In addition, the act coincides with protests being held around the country over racial inequality, and black veterans have historically been disproportionately discharged for the reasons covered by the act. Our clinic is a safe, welcoming place for veterans from diverse backgrounds.”
In the fall, the clinic plans to conduct a “Know Your Rights” training about the Restoration of Honor Act, discharge upgrades, and federal VA benefits in conjunction with Hofstra Law’s student-run Veterans Legal Assistance Project (VLAP).
“We at the Division of Veterans’ Services are grateful for the support of our community partner, the Robert W. Entenmann Veterans Law Clinic at Hofstra Law,” said Kristen Rouse, deputy director of diversity, equity & inclusion for the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services. “The Clinic provides vital legal services to those who served and important legal experience to our next generation of attorneys. Their support for informing veterans and their families about the Restoration of Honor Act is just one of many actions that demonstrate their commitment to equitable and just treatment is provided for all those who served to receive the benefits and services they earned in service to our nation.”
The Veterans Law Clinic provides pro bono legal representation to low-income veterans who have received Other-than-Honorable (OTH) discharges or General Under Honorable Conditions discharges for reasons related to mental health conditions, including PTSD, as well as for reasons related to traumatic brain injury, military sexual assault, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Clinic also represents veterans in appeals of VA disability compensation claims. It has continued its operations throughout the summer with six students working remotely on projects to help veterans.
Veterans with questions about the Restoration of Honor Act, or veterans who are interested in the clinic’s services can call 516-463-5934 or send an email to LawClinic@hofstra.edu.
The post Hofstra Law’s Robert W. Entenmann Veterans Law Clinic Partners with NYS Division of Veterans’ Services to Promote Restoration of Honor Act appeared first on Hofstra Law News.