Released 12/23/24 | Tags:
NVLSP Announces Family Caregiver Assistance Program to Help Veterans and their Caregivers Secure Vital Benefits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 23, 2024
ARLINGTON, VA – The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is proud to announce the launch of its Family Caregiver Assistance Program, a dedicated initiative aimed at assisting veterans and their families in accessing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). This new program is designed to help families obtain critical benefits offered to caregivers of veterans with serious disabilities resulting from their service – at no cost veterans or their families.
NVLSP’s Family Caregiver Assistance Program aims to provide legal assistance to caregivers and veterans in two key situations: those who have been denied benefits after applying for PCAFC, and those who have successfully enrolled in the program but have had their benefits reduced or terminated. NVLSP will offer support through direct legal representation, advice, and self-help resources to assist families in appealing adverse VA decisions.
NVLSP’s program is led by Rebecca Harris, NVLSP’s 2024 Skadden Fellow and recent graduate of Yale Law School. Her Skadden Fellowship involves direct representation, community outreach, and policy advocacy to help families secure caregiver benefits or appeal unfavorable decisions from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s Caregiver Support Program.
Veterans and their caregivers can inquire about NVLSP’s legal assistance by accessing the program's webpage or by calling NVLSP directly to initiate the query process at (202) 265-8305 ext.903. Families who are not eligible for direct legal representation will be provided with referral resources to other veterans' organizations, including Veteran Services Organizations (VSOs) across the country. To contact us about the program, please email: familycaregiverassistance@nvlsp.org.
"The creation of our Family Caregiver Assistance Program is a natural expansion of NVLSP’s efforts for veterans and their families. We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Harris as a Skadden Fellow to NVLSP. We are confident that her work will make a significant impact in advancing the rights of veterans,” said Paul Wright, Executive Director of NVLSP.
About the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)
The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is an independent, nonprofit veterans service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1981. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 18 million veterans and active duty personnel by ensuring they have the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. NVLSP has represented veterans in lawsuits that compelled enforcement of the law where the VA or other military services denied benefits to veterans in violation of the law. NVLSP’s success in these lawsuits has resulted in more than $5.6 billion dollars being awarded in disability, death and medical benefits to hundreds of thousands of veterans and their survivors. NVLSP offers training for attorneys and other advocates; connects veterans and active duty personnel with pro bono legal help when seeking disability benefits; publishes the nation's definitive guide on veteran benefits; and represents and litigates for veterans and their families before the VA, military discharge review agencies and federal courts. For more information go to www.nvlsp.org.
About the Skadden Fellowship Foundation
The Skadden Fellowship Foundation, established in 1988, is the largest public interest law firm in the United States and provides recent law graduates with the opportunity to pursue public interest law on a full-time basis through two-year fellowships. Fellows undertake projects of their own design to promote equal justice, making lasting impacts in their communities.
Media contact:
Patty Briotta, office 202-621-5698, patty@nvlsp.org