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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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Virtual Veterans Advisory Board Meeting
on Wed, 8/19
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The virtual Veterans Advisory Board Meeting is designed to inform constituents about the City's efforts to support veterans and their families. Veterans, military families, advocates, and supporters are all invited to join. Participants are invited to share their stories, advocate for what's important to them, and ask questions directly to NYC officials. Email your questions now to connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
The Veteran Advisory Board Meeting is FREE. No registration required.
WHEN: Wed, 8/19 | 6 - 8 pm
TO JOIN: Follow this link OR call (646) 992-2010
ACCESS CODE: 129 230 2538
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Guidelines for Veteran Service Organizations
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As Veteran Service Organizations begin to reopen for in-person services, providers and veterans must adhere to the following safety guidelines:
- Individuals must wear face masks whenever they come in contact within 6 feet of another person
- Total occupancy is limited to no more than 50% capacity
- To the extent that a VSO has an indoor eating and/or bar area, these remain closed
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New Tricare Enrollment Fees
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The U.S. Department of Defense announced that many retired veterans will soon be required to pay additional fees for Tricare Select.
Group A retirees, veterans whose initial enlistment or appointment was before January 1st, 2018, will be required to pay enrollment fees starting January 1st, 2021. Retirees who do not set up their payments by then will be disenrolled.
Retirees can choose monthly payments or make one annual payment. Monthly enrollment fees for individuals will be $12.50 (or $150 annually). Monthly family fees will be $25 (or $300 annually).
Please contact benefitclaims@veterans.nyc.gov if you need assistance.
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VA Caregiver Opens for Eligible Veterans
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The VA's family caregiver program has been expanded to include veterans who served on or before May 7, 1975. Veterans from World War II through Vietnam who require care from a loved one can apply for the caregiver program, starting October 1st, 2020.
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New York Eviction Moratorium Extended
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Governor Cuomo signed an executive order to extend the state's eviction moratorium an additional 30 days following the initial moratorium deadline of August 6th. The Office of Court Administration is reviewing the executive order and will decide this week if it will continue to suspend deadlines through September 4th.
Close to 14,000 New York households who received eviction warrants before the pandemic will be at risk of eviction if the moratorium ends.
Follow DVS on Twitter or Facebook for the latest information regarding the eviction moratorium. If you are worried about getting evicted, or you were evicted before the moratorium, please contact DVS at 212-416 5250 or connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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SBA's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides potentially forgivable loans to businesses struggling to pay their workforce during the pandemic. The new deadline for businesses to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is August 8th, 2020. Apply here.
Veteran business owners can connect with a Community Development Financial Institution, Minority Depository Institution, Certified Development Company, or other types of lenders using SBA's Lender Match tool.
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Attention Student Veterans
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Report on Predatory Lenders
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Earlier this year, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issued a report detailing the predatory practices used by for-profit schools to target student veterans. Below are some valuable takeaways from the report:
- Veterans who earned bachelor’s degrees from for-profit schools had average student loan debt balances 20 percent higher than veterans who attended nonprofit and public institutions.
- For-profit schools attended by NYC veterans have poor graduation and earnings outcomes and are less likely to offer credit for military experience.
Read the report for yourself here.
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Get Tested for COVID-19 ASAP
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Get tested for COVID-19 - whether or not you have symptoms. Knowing if you have the virus protects you and your community.
FREE testing is available for all New Yorkers. Find a testing site near you here.
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Resources for Veterans & their Families
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Request Military Service Records
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Most veterans and their families can obtain free copies of their military service records by clicking on the following links:
Veterans can begin online before printing and mailing their request.
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Veterans can apply for a discharge upgrade by visiting this online tool. Once your discharge is upgraded, you’ll be eligible for the VA benefits you've earned.
You have a strong case for a discharge upgrade if you can show your discharge was connected to one of the following:
- Mental health conditions, (including PTSD)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
- Sexual orientation (including under the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy)
The information you enter as part of your online application is confidential.
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IVMF's Onward to Opportunity (O2O) is a free career training program that helps veterans obtain professional certification and provides comprehensive career coaching. Learn more here.
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Arts in the Armed Forces will provide veterans with an exclusive link to stream the film "Paper Moon". After streaming the film, veterans are invited to join a virtual live Q&A with actor and filmmaker Tim Blake Nelson.
WHEN (Live Q&A): Thursday, 8/13 | 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Register here. Once you register for the event, you will also receive the webinar link so that you can tune into and participate in the Q&A.
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DVS Programs & Initiatives
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DVS has partnered with GetFoodNYC to send food to homebound veterans in need. If you're a veteran who needs food delivered to your home contact us at (212) 416-5250 or connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Housing Support & Eviction Prevention
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As the pandemic worsened, DVS continued to house veterans. Earlier this year, our Housing team moved a veteran and his family of six out of the shelter. How can DVS help you? Contact us at 212-416 5250 or connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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No veteran is alone. If you’re struggling during this crisis and need to talk to a fellow veteran, please request a support call through Mission: VetCheck here.
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Helping Veterans File VA Claims
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The NYC Department of Veterans' Services and the New York State Division of Veterans' Services are collaborating to serve City veterans! For the first time, NY State and NYC are working together to process GI Bill claims. For more info, contact: benefitclaims@veterans.nyc.gov.
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The Emerging Business Enterprise Certification Program is creating a fair and equitable city for disadvantaged veteran entrepreneurs. Certify your veteran-owned business and get access to City contracts here.
Have questions? Contact business@veterans.nyc.gov.
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The Veteran Voices Project is a special initiative launched to preserve the stories of NYC's veterans. Learn how you can share your story here.
We're also looking for volunteers to contact veterans and help us record as many stories as possible. Learn how you can volunteer here.
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Employment Services:
- Christian T. Peralta
(646) 630-1932 | cperalta1@veterans.nyc.gov
Education Services and Unemployment Assistance:
- Amauri Espinal
(646) 799-2728 | aespinal@veterans.nyc.gov
Housing:
- Dana Rock, HSS Director
(646) 901-4948 | DanaRock@veterans.nyc.gov
- Horng Chou, HSS Deputy Director
(646) 532-1884 | Hchou@veterans.nyc.gov
Eviction Prevention:
- Angela Guyton-Cyril, MPA
(646) 740-8156 | AGuyton-Cyril@veterans.nyc.gov
Food Assistance:
Healthcare:
- Melissa Walters, LMSW
(646) 889-4180 | Mewalters@veterans.nyc.gov
Military Families and Caregivers:
- Tanya Thomas
(646) 499-0098 | tthomas@veterans.nyc.gov
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