Created in 1927, the Texas Veterans Commission was formed to assist veterans during the Indian Wars, Spanish American War and World I. They have continued to support and advocate for veterans since then, often by helping them get the benefits they deserve after their service. Through a series of programs they enacted, the Texas Veterans Commission makes sure that veterans are well represented to improve their quality of life and provide dignity for the sacrifices they have made.
Currently, they have employees in 75 cities all over Texas and are nationally recognized for providing veteran services to help them receive their deserved benefits such as educational benefits (GI Bill and Hazelwood Exemption) by having a close, working relationship with over 1,100 schools and employers in Texas.
The programs and services they provide include Claims Representation and Counseling, Veterans Education Program (through various chapters and federal education assistance), Texas Veterans Commission for Veterans Assistance (makes grants available for charitable and veterans organizations as well as local government agencies, etc), and Veterans Employment Services – which provides employment services to veterans. The Commission recognizes women veterans also and has begun outreach programs designed and targeted specifically for them.
The Texas Veterans Commission has now teamed up with the State Bar of Texas to start the Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans program. The Commission will provide claims counselors to help veterans with their claims at local legal clinics all over the state. The counselors will also help out with Veterans Court, an access to justice, to help combat veterans with brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder with legal assistance. A Veteran’s Court branch has already been implemented and approved for Smith County.
To be eligible for representation and support through Veterans Court, a defendant must be a veteran who was honorably discharged on active duty or in the reserves. The veteran must also meet the Veteran’s Administration eligibility criteria and be a legal resident of Texas and a U.S. citizen. Also, the qualified veteran must have a pending misdemeanor or felony offense.
To find out whether you are eligible for any of the veteran programs and benefits go to the Texas Veterans Commission website at http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/.
The Gomez Law Group consist of Dallas based labor and employment attorneys that can also help veterans with their legal needs.
Seth Wilburn writes for the Gomez Law Group, a Dallas employment lawyer and Dallas business lawyer. To learn more, visit Gomezlawyers.com.
