Veterans
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. 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 discharge upgrades as well as civil legal matters that aid in obtaining and sustaining stable housing, 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 service discharge upgrades
- Additional legal services including advice and extended representation regarding civil legal issues such as criminal record expunctions, consumer protection, and obtaining and maintaining stable housing
Case work
- Discharge upgrades
- Housing stability support
- Additional civil legal issues aligned with removing barriers to stable housing and employment
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 discharge upgrades, wills and advanced directives, as well as additional civil legal services provided by the 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 Legal Services 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