Homeless Veterans Initiatives: Research, Policy, Programs July 19, 2011

2 DVS Mission Statement

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■                   ▲- Veteran Homeless Shelter ■ - Veterans Transitional Housing Project  - Local Veteran Outreach Center  - VA Vet Center  - MA Soldier Home - VA Hospital - VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic - One Stop Career Centers with Vet Rep    

4 DVS Uniqueness  Massachusetts is the only state in the country to help veterans at the local level. In 1861, the same year the Civil War began, the Legislature provided for support of dependents of the volunteer militia by cities and towns, with a 100% reimbursement up to $12 per family per month.  Municipal veterans’ agents, who are veterans themselves, are uniquely suited to aid veterans and dependents. They provide c.115 public assistance and also help with employment, real estate tax abatements, auto benefits and federal benefits such as VA compensation, VA pension and social security.  Massachusetts is the only state that pays a $2,000 annuity each year to every 100% disabled veteran, every Gold Star parent, and every Gold Star spouse.

5 M.G.L. Chapter 115 Unique Benefit to Massachusetts Financial Assistance (Shelter / Fuel / Food) and Medical Assistance Administered by a local VSO in the community Reimbursed by the Commonwealth at 75% Prevented the Loss of Personal Homes on Average 10 Veterans per year

6 Financial Eligibility Financial Benefits (Approximates) Single applicant up to $1,494 Married applicant up to $1,975 Medical Benefits Without Spend Down up to 200% of FPL Single Applicant $1,733 Married Applicant $2,333 No income limit with Spend Down

7 Caseload and Expenditures

8 Chapter 115 Eligibility SingleMarried Income$1,800$2,400 AssetsLess Than $3,200 Less Than $7,000

9 Annuity $2000 per year (two payments) 100% Service Connected Veteran or Spouse Gold Star Parent Gold Star Spouse

10 Tax Abatements Motor vehicle excise tax exemption for disabled veterans and ex-prisoners of war* Veterans as defined in section 7 of chapter 4 of the Massachusetts General Laws who by reason of service in the armed forces of the United States have suffered the loss of, or permanent loss of the use or one of both feet or one of both hands or has been determined by the medical advisory board within the Registry of Motor Vehicles to be permanently disabled is eligible for motor vehicle excise exemption (applicable for only one motor vehicle owned and registered for personal, non-commercial use). *For ex-prisoners of war, and their surviving spouse, the law allowing the exemption for the motor vehicle excise must be accepted by the city or town to be applicable. Sales tax exemption for disabled veterans M.G.L. ch. 64H, s.6(u) Disabled veterans who by reason of service in the U.S. armed forces have suffered the loss of, or permanent loss of the use of, both legs or both arms or one leg and one arm are eligible for a motor vehicle sales tax exemption (applicable only to one motor vehicle owned and registered for personal, non-commercial use).

11 Tax Abatements Property Tax Abatement Eligible veterans, spouses, and parents Range from $400 to $2500 To qualify, all Veterans (and spouses* where applicable) must: be at least 10% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs be legal residents of Massachusetts be occupying the property as his/her domicile on July 1 in the year of application have lived in Massachusetts for at least six months prior to entering the service (spouses exempted) or have lived in Massachusetts for five consecutive years immediately prior to filing for a property tax exemption.

12 Ch. 130 of the Acts of 2005 The State Treasurer's Office, Veterans' Bonus Division, will administer the Welcome Home Bonus to veterans of the Global War on Terrorism. You are eligible if you meet the following criteria: six months domicile in Massachusetts immediately prior to entry into the armed forces service, beginning September 11, 2001, and discharge under honorable conditions. Servicemembers who served active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan receive $1000. Servicemembers with six months or more active service, stateside or outside the continental limits of the United States, receive $500. WELCOME HOME BONUS

13 Outreach to Women Veterans One of the best women veterans outreach programs in the country 27,840 women women veterans reside in Massachusetts Network provides direct assistance and referrals to over 220 individual women veterans every year Women make up roughly 15% of the Active- Duty population (approx. 2,100 Massachusetts women currently serve Active Duty)

14 Outreach to Newly Returning Veterans DVS has mailed individualized letters to each of the 30K+ returning veterans since 2001 SAVE Program DVS sends the names of those resident returnees to the Veterans’ Agents in each City and Town DVS participation in Mass. National Guard debriefings to Mass returning veterans DVS website for veterans to get information and report problems with VA, other agencies Newsletters, webcasts and social media presence Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services

15 SAVE PROGRAM

16 OVERVIEW Purpose of the program: Part of Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray’s suicide prevention initiative and The Department of Veterans’ Services outreach initiatives. Suicide prevention within the Veterans’ community. Mental health referral service. Outreach. Funding: Funded by the Department of Public Health. Statewide The S.A.V.E. program is designed to be completely mobile and was created to reach out to veterans, where ever they may exist.

17 FUNCTION Advocacy The SAVE program will: Screen veterans for mental health issues. Assess veterans’ suicide risk. Provide case management. Refer veterans to agencies that provide mental health services and other non-mental health related services. Help veterans navigate the bureaucracy of the health care system as it relates to them.

18 Statistics: Necessity for the Program SAVE services rendered

19 Housing Shelter & Transitional DVS contracts with over 30 non-profit organizations, which provide housing services and counseling to eligible veterans. Housing Services include: Emergency Homeless Shelters, Group residences, Single Room Occupancy (SRO) quarters. Only Veterans' Hospice in the nation, and a program for veterans with Head Injuries. Services are available to both male and female veterans.

20 Emergency Shelter & Transitional Bed Report