It’s not always easy for military veterans to access the resources they so desperately need. They often get caught in the VA’s Byzantine technology web, unable to access the plans and benefits to which vets are entitled. To help remedy the situation, he Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosted a Veterans Claims Clinic at the Catholic War Veterans Post 1612 on Wednesday, October 5. In one-on-one meetings, VA representatives explained benefits, claims, compensations, and entitlements to local vets.
Too many cooks, too much grub
“What do I think is the biggest issue facing veterans today? The propagation of misinformation,” said VA Medical Support Assistant David Brimmer. He said that there are many entities trying to do the right thing, but they supply inaccurate information that makes veterans’ lives worse.
Brimmer served three tours overseas; every time he returned, he was inundated with paperwork about benefits. “You know what I did?” Brimmer said. “I put them all in a folder, I stuck them all in a drawer, and I never bothered with it because I had no idea who to call.”
He went on, “If I’m homeless, do I call Community Hope, or Catholic Charities, or the VA, or should I just deal with it by myself, or is this something I should go to my congressman for? I don’t know.”
He decried the barrage of information veterans receive. “People are getting a lot of the resources and sources and regulations mixed, and there’s no one entity out there saying this is the way it’s supposed to be,” he said. “If there is one entity, it should be the VA.”
Poverty, illness major issues
Joann Northgrave, veterans coordinator for the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services, said joblessness, homelessness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are among the biggest issues facing veterans in the county.
The war in the Middle East is “a vicious war, so unfortunately a lot of PTSD,” said Northgrave. “Veterans find they don’t have jobs, they don’t have housing, and they don’t know where to go for their benefits.” She said the county’s American Legion center in Secaucus can help vets if it can find them. One of their biggest challenges is letting veterans know where to go for help.
“I don’t think the vets adequately know what they’re entitled to,” Northgrave said. “When they’re coming home, they don’t want to hear about what they get, they want to see their family, and they kind of flounder.”
The Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services helps veterans find jobs and clothing, and write resumes.
Gema Diaz is outreach assistant for Hope for Veterans, which offers transitional and permanent housing. She says a permanent housing complex is currently under construction in Hoboken. “It’s not just about finding housing, but about equipping them with what they need,” she said. “You’re going to need employment, childcare, knowledge about how to pay your bills.” Hope for Veterans has served more than 4,000 veterans in 15 counties in New Jersey over the last few years. Her organization connects veterans with a network of organizations and individuals who pledge to help. “It’s a team effort getting veterans standing on their feet and on their own,” she said.
“Veterans find they don’t have jobs, they don’t have housing, and they don’t know where to go for their benefits.” – Joann Northgrave
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The vets stop in
Vietnam veteran Robert Langan and his wife Barbara, came to the clinic for help with their prescription plan to treat diabetes. “We’re paying $339 for a month-and-a-half prescription,” Barbara said. “Hopefully they have somewhere we can go to get it cheaper.”
“I figured the VA would help,” said Robert. “It’s all the politicians in Washington causing these problems.”
Bob Mittenzwei, 75, came to the claims clinic to apply for a VA card, but did not have the right paperwork. “I can’t find it,” he said. “The thing is, I had a paper that said honorable discharge, but that wasn’t enough.” Fortunately, the clinic came to his aid. “The woman was very helpful, and she’ll get me the information,” he said. Mittenzwei said he thinks veterans generally are not getting the support they need. “I think they should have better facilities for disabled veterans,” he said. “I don’t think they should have to wait three months to get an appointment.” He also said there should be more affordable housing.
The pols stop in
Congressman Albio Sires, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., and Bayonne Mayor James Davis stopped into the claims clinic to support the cause. “All too often, our veterans are discouraged by the steps it takes to receive the VA benefits they earned,” said Sires. “Our veterans deserve quality care and shouldn’t have to cut through red tape just to get the services that they were promised.”
Payne echoed that sentiment. “We must always ensure that veterans, service members, and their families have access to the quality health care and resources they have earned and deserve,” he said.
“Our vets put their lives on the line for our way of life,” said Mayor James Davis, whose city has an aging veteran population. “In appreciation, we should continue to reach out a helping hand and provide vital services, like these, that improve their quality of life.”
Rory Pasquariello may be reached at roryp@hudsonreporter.com.