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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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DVS Commissioner on the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
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Today marks the 31st anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The rights and freedoms protected by the ADA have had a profoundly important impact on those who served. Approximately 4.7 million Veterans live with a service-connected disability, accounting for 26% of the overall Veteran population. Many of our older Veterans also live with disabilities due to aging, in addition to those who live with mental health conditions influenced by the invisible wounds of war.
Our disabled Veterans are an integral part of our community’s resilience and diversity. Many have made incomprehensible sacrifices to preserve global peace. It is on us as a nation to ensure that these men and women have the support needed to live with dignity and purpose.
The most meaningful way to express our gratitude for their sacrifice is to make certain that they never feel alone throughout their life’s journey. DVS is here to help; our accredited staff members can represent NYC Veterans and their families in processing claims for service-connected disability compensation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. You can schedule an appointment with our team by filling out the form at VetConnectNYC (select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service), emailing DVS at claims@veterans.nyc.gov, or calling 212-416-5250. Our website also includes an information resource page specifically for disabled Veterans and their families.
There are other helpful resources that offer free assistance for your awareness. For instance, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Peoples with Disabilities provides access to transportation, employment, and housing resources, among other services. A number of Veterans and Military Service Organizations - including, but not limited to Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans - are longstanding trusted entities that connect Veterans to benefits counselors and other vital assistance. The Independence Fund helps Veterans obtain all-terrain wheelchairs free of charge to restore mobility and independent living. Our VetConnectNYC network of vetted service providers offers another pathway towards getting help. These organizations, and so many others, are the tip of the iceberg of resources available.
If you or a loved one need disability support services, or if you are seeking access to earned benefits, then I urge you to contact DVS or another organization in the Veteran landscape. We owe everything to our disabled Veterans. Through all of their being, they exemplify the fortitude, tenacity, and courage that we as fellow Veterans admire and aspire to embody every single day.
Please join me in honoring them by helping our disabled Veterans access the care that they need. Check in on your disabled Veteran neighbors and family members. Share this information with them. It certainly takes a village, and I cannot think of a stronger, more supportive ecosystem than New York City’s vibrant Veteran community to ensure our disabled thrive.
God bless the City of New York and God bless America.
- NYC Department of Veterans' Services Commissioner James Hendon
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Resources for Veterans with Disabilities
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Accessibility Home Modifications
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Rebuilding Together NYC (RT NYC) provides accessibility modifications for disabled veterans, so they can stay in their homes. Modifications include wheelchair ramps and lifts, stair glides, handrails, grab bars, and ADA-compliant bathrooms. Receive an application by emailing intake@rebuildnyc.org with "Veteran Interest" in the subject line.
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VA Disability Compensation
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VA Disability Compensation benefits are available to veterans with service-connected illnesses or disabilities. These VA disability benefits include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), and general disability pay, which is a tax-free monetary payment. To receive VA compensation benefits and services, the veteran's character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general). To receive benefits support from DVS, fill out the form at VetConnectNYC (choose "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service).
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- The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program provides veterans with service-connected disabilities employment support and services to help them live independently. Veterans must meet all of the requirements listed below for eligibility:
- did not receive a dishonorable discharge, and
- have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from the VA
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The NYS Veterans with Disabilities Employment Program (55-c) authorizes 500 NYS government positions to be filled with qualified wartime veterans with disabilities. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the position but are not required to take an examination. A letter of certification of a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher from the U.S. Veterans Administration (U.S. VA) will be requested. Any veteran who has received the Purple Heart medal or who has a disability rating assigned by the U.S. VA of at least 10 percent is automatically eligible.
To apply for the 55-b/c Program, you must submit a completed application, along with the following documents:
- NYC: AtWork is an employment program that recruits, pre-screens, and connects New Yorkers with disabilities to jobs and internships with established business partners in both the public and private sectors.
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Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
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The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities has created a resource guide to support during the COVID-19 crisis. If you have questions or concerns regarding disability services, please contact 212-788-2830 or 646-396-5830.
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Get Vaccinated for COVID-19
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How to Get Vaccinated
Schedule Online:
You can schedule a vaccine appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692). To find other locations that may have appointments available visit:
Please note: People who are 12 to 17 years old are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
Walk-ins Welcome:
All New Yorkers can now get their COVID-19 vaccine by simply walking into any of the CIty's 11 public hospital locations! To find a walk-up vaccination site near you, click here.
Get Vaccinated at Home:
All New Yorkers can request an in-home vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine. You can also choose which vaccine you'd like to receive, such as Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Fill out this form to get started or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
Still Undecided?
If you are still undecided or you decided not to get vaccinated, please continue to:
- Wear a mask indoors and outdoors.
- Stay 6 feet apart from others.
- Get tested for COVID-19 often. Learn how you get a free COVID test here.
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DVS Programs and Initiatives
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Take the NYC Veterans and Military Community Survey
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Are you a member of NYC's veteran community? If so, take the NYC Veteran and Military Community Survey today! DVS will use your responses to shape programs and policies designed to improve the lives of veterans, military spouses, caregivers, and active duty service members across the five boroughs. Take the survey here!
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Helping Veterans Get the Benefits They Deserve
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DVS represents NYC veterans in claims for benefits from the VA. During a time of economic crisis and high unemployment, we wanted to ensure that every veteran got the financial benefits they earned. To file a claim, fill out the form at VetConnectNYC.org (select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service).
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DVS partnered with GetFoodNYC to help deliver food to homebound veterans. We're also working to distribute HelloFresh meals to veteran families. Request food or learn how to volunteer to prepare meal kits by submitting your information to VetConnectNYC.
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Ending Veteran Homelessness in NYC
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Over the past five years, our housing team has moved over 1,000 veterans from shelters and into permanent housing. Learn more about DVS's efforts to end veteran homelessness in NYC here.
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How DVS Responded to the Pandemic
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Making supportive calls. Distributing face masks. Preparing meal kits. Housing the homeless. Processing VA benefit claims. Watch this video to learn how DVS responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast
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Listen to SITREP NYC, NYC's official veteran-focused podcast, to hear stories from veterans who are often ignored and underserved. Hear the complete season here or see below for a list of episodes:
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Stories of Transition
The Black Veteran Experience
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LGBT Veteran Stories
The Health of Women Veterans
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DVS updated its website to help EVERY veteran find the services that are right for them. Whether you're a student, transitioning, woman, LGBT, or a senior veteran - nyc.gov/vets has what you need.
Review the webpages on our site:
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Support a Veteran:
Media:
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