What we do

VA Disputes

Of the more than 50,000 veterans living in Mecklenburg County, 8,000 are estimated to live with a service-related disability, with a growing number of both younger and older veterans being identified as unemployed or homeless. Benefit claims often take significant time and effort to resolve, and cases may also involve complex procedures and evidence that require assistance to fully understand. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is dedicated to providing veterans with the aid that is needed to build security for themselves and their families.

We serve low-income veterans and their families in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Union Counties who are seeking help with disability benefits claims and appeals, discharge upgrades and over-payment issues, as well as additional civil legal matters, at little or no cost.

Our services focus on:

  • Outreach and education to veterans and their families about the benefits that are available to them, legal issues they may face, and the services Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy can offer
  • Core legal services consisting of advice and extended representation regarding veterans’ disability claims and appeals at the VA and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
  • Additional legal services including advice and extended representation regarding civil legal issues such as criminal record expunctions, consumer protection, housing and tax disputes.

Case work

  • Veteran disability claims and appeals
  • VA pension claims and appeals
  • Dependent VA benefit claims and appeals
  • Discharge upgrades
  • Over-payment issues
  • Additional civil legal issues unrelated to military service

Community Outreach

The Veterans Legal Services Project reaches out to local and regional veterans’ service organizations, including the Charlotte Bridge Home and Mecklenburg County Veterans Service Office, as part of our goal of serving veterans and their families. Educational presentations on veteran benefits, legal issues and the services Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy offers are also available.

Eligibility

Individuals and families living in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Union Counties with income below 300% of the federal poverty line may be eligible for assistance; however, due to limited resources, assistance may not be available in every case.

During 2023, the Veterans Service Project:

  • Served 301 veterans or their family members and helped veterans obtain VA healthcare and/or disability compensation benefits valued at $7,040,182 
  • Helped 16 veterans at our annual Wills For Warriors event that provides wills and power of attorney services at no cost 
  • Assisted 25 veterans who identified as homeless or at-risk of homelessness 

Additional Resources

Swords to Plowshare: Discharge Upgrade Referral Guide