Waco Tribune | Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Thomas Palladino, guest columnists
On Veterans Day this Tuesday, we honor the brave men and women in uniform for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our safety and freedom. Sadly, once back home, many of our veterans have a very difficult time making ends meet. One of the challenges they face along with other low-income Texans is access to legal help.
Texas has the second-highest population of veterans in the nation, and a distressing number of Texas veterans are poor or homeless. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual survey of homeless and formerly homeless veterans, legal issues account for three of the top 10 most necessary needs of homeless veterans.
Some 5.6 million Texans, including a significant number of our veterans, qualify for legal aid. Compared to other states, Texas has the second-highest number of low-income people in the nation.
How do Texas veterans facing legal issues get the help they need? Legal aid programs, local bar associations, law schools and pro bono lawyers are part of the fabric of providing civil legal aid. They have come to the aid of veterans who are wrongly denied critical medical care, disability and other benefits, or who need help with family matters arising from deployment.
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF), created in 1984 to provide funding for civil legal aid in Texas, is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The foundation recently awarded more than $426,700 in grants to 11 Texas legal-aid providers to provide civil legal services to low-income veterans. In 2013, TAJF grantees helped more than 8,800 veterans obtain access to the justice system.
Grant levels remained stable for 2014-2015 thanks to the $17.6 million biennium appropriation by the 83rd Texas Legislature for basic civil legal services. Even with this critical funding, Texas ranks 50th in access to legal aid lawyers. There is only one legal aid lawyer for about 11,000 Texans who qualify.
With adequate funding and public interest, pro bono lawyers will be able to provide legal representation to veterans with civil legal problems such as, again, denial of critical medical care; receiving benefits to which they’re entitled; legal issues related to disabilities; family law matters arising from deployment; and other issues that may arise due to a veteran’s absence from home during military service.
Next week has been designated Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week. Clinics and workshops will be held throughout the state to provide assistance for qualified veterans who need help with critical civil legal issues. To find a clinic in your area, visit www.texaslawhelp.org/veterans.
As veterans ourselves, we are proud of the work of our advocates in serving the legal needs of veterans and their continued effort in ensuring access to justice for all. Legal aid services can help qualified veterans achieve economic security, avoid homelessness and promote stability within their family relationships. They deserve no less.
Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht has been a member of the Texas Supreme Court since 1988 and is a U.S. Navy veteran. This column was co-written with Thomas P. Palladino, executive director of the Texas Veterans Commission, who retired from the Army in 2009 after 27 years of service.
