We owe justice for all — and especially for our veterans
Decades ago, Seaman 1st Class Chester Robey defended our freedoms and values in World War II and the Korean War. Yet he might have died homeless without our defense of him. Not all veterans are so lucky to receive assistance from a legal aid lawyer.
Robey, who lives in Montgomery County, is one of many. Across our state’s 254 counties are hundreds of thousands of military heroes who have selflessly served to protect the freedoms that Texans and the rest of our nation enjoy every day. In fact, Texas is now home to the largest population of veterans in the U.S., with more than 1.5 million individuals who served in the armed forces calling our great state home. Of those millions of heroes, more than 300,000 reside in the Houston area.
Unfortunately, at a national level, an estimated 7.5% of these heroes live below the poverty level. Too many struggle to access their legal right to basic necessities, as well as their constitutional right to access to justice.
We must improve access to justice for all. In doing so, we owe a special obligation to those willing to serve in the military who have defended our homeland and its justice system. Upon their return to civilian life, access to the promise of justice for all Americans must not be beyond their reach. To best serve these Texans and honored veterans, we must invest in programs, initiatives and opportunities that will enrich their experiences as a civilian.
While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the COVID-19 pandemic to be over on May 11 this year, our nation and state continue to feel the residual impacts brought upon by the hardships from that time. An already vulnerable population, veterans are 50% more likely to become homeless than others due to poverty, lack of support networks and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.
Created in 1984 by the state Supreme Court, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation provides funding for civil legal aid regardless of income. The 88th Legislature appropriated $7 million to serve the civil legal needs of low-income veterans. Additionally, this year, the Texas Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Texas hosted the Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans, where funds raised were distributed by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation to 13 legal aid organizations throughout the state.
At that event, Robey told his story. He bravely served in World War II and the Korean War. Today, Robey is mostly blind and deaf, and suffering from Parkinson’s disease. His poor health affects his daily routine, which causes him to lean on his neighbor for assistance.
Living on two lots of land, Robey applied for a homestead exemption but was only granted an exemption for the lot where his trailer was located. As a result, he paid the full tax rate for the additional lot for 30 years. As his property tax value increased over time, the veteran faced the possibility of losing his home. That is, until Lone
Star Legal Aid’s Military and Veterans Unit stepped in to review Robey’s property and tax records. They found he was entitled to a homestead exemption for both lots — and to a tax refund.
As a veteran relying solely on his Social Security income, legal aid was also able to assist Robey with applying for benefits he was entitled to but did not know about, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid and Veterans Affairs pension benefits. This was life-changing for Robey, a veteran who volunteered his life for many so long ago.
Assistance like what Robey received is invaluable. It literally changes and saves lives. And access to civil legal aid should be available for all.
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation and its statewide grantees work tirelessly to provide free civil legal services to all veterans via in-person and virtual events. From employment challenges, housing issues, benefits claims and family law matters, our legal aid offices and professionals offer legal guidance and support for our veterans so they may find solace and routine in their civilian lives.
Texas veterans can visit texaslawhelp.org/tvlaw or call the statewide hotline at Texas Legal Services Center, 1-800-622-2520, option 2, to locate a clinic or assistance in your area throughout the year.
As Houstonians and Texans, we must never forget the men and women who chose to risk and sacrifice their lives so that we may enjoy the liberties this great country affords. That was their duty. Ours is to remain active in the fight to deliver the access to justice they defended and continue to safeguard.