We Support Veterans
The Center for Arkansas Legal Services has always been a devout supporter of veterans in Arkansas, but in 2014 we took it a step further. We began a formal partnership with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. We then expanded even further in 2023; the partnership now includes the City of Pine Bluff and the Veterans Treatment Center in Little Rock.
Our Work
The Center for Arkansas Legal Services also partnered with Arkansas Access to Justice Commission to provide training for pro bono attorneys that want to become certified in VA Benefit matters. We have helped over 766 Veterans with legal matters.
Our Veteran Legal Assistance Program Clinics take place monthly in Little Rock and Pine Bluff and are staffed by Arkansas Legal employees, pro bono attorneys, and law student volunteers. Each clinic assists 20-25 veterans. Veterans are given handouts and the opportunity to consult with an attorney. Cases that require extended service are assigned to Arkansas Legal or pro bono attorneys.
Discover the benefits of "Serving the Legal Needs of Arkansas Servicemembers and Veterans."
Topics include:
-Discharge Upgrades and VA Service-Connected Disability Compensation Claim Appeals
-Awareness of the legal needs of Arkansas Veterans
-Special Considerations when working with active servicemembers/veterans
-VA Accreditation
This is for attorneys and has numerous resources and provides opportunities for CLEs, clinics, pro bono opportunities, and educational resources.
Presented by Rebecca Feldmann with the UALR- Bowen School of Law and Zach Baumgarten with the Center for Arkansas Legal Services
Common Issues
The common legal problems veterans face include VA benefit denials, discharge upgrade appeals, consumer and family law matters, the need to seal criminal records, housing issues, and landlord/tenant disputes.
Client Story
Elliott was a disabled veteran who initially reached out to the Center for Arkansas Legal Services in 2018 after the VA erroneously merged his and his father’s naval records. This error reduced his disability benefits from 100% to 30%, and he was forced to move back in with his mother and donate plasma for money. We filed an appeal on the reduction of benefits on behalf of Elliott. In early 2020, the VA released a decision, restoring him to 100% benefits, which will increase the client’s income from $400 to just over $3,000 monthly. Further, Elliott will receive approximately $54,000 in back pay for the months his benefits were reduced.