VETERANS' BENEFITS PRO BONO PROJECT
Many of our homeless veterans are not receiving the benefits to which they are entitled and that are necessary for their daily survival. This is why the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland and the Homeless Persons Representation Project joined forces to recruit, train and engage volunteer lawyers to provide pro bono legal assistance to Maryland veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and are seeking service-connected disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Attorneys who volunteer for the Veterans’ Benefits Pro Bono Project will receive FREE training that will prepare them to help a veteran file and/or defend a claim for service-connected disability benefits. Volunteers will also receive comprehensive training materials, malpractice insurance and continuing mentorship and case support.
In exchange for free training, attorneys are required to provide pro bono representation to at least one veteran in his/her benefits case. Participating attorneys must be in good standing and licensed to practice law in any state.
ATTORNEY TRAINING
BASIC TRAINING
Attorneys can receive the Basic Veterans’ Benefits training via webcast or at the next live training during the 4th Annual Veterans' Legal Assistance Conference on Friday, April 20, 2012 in Baltimore. Please click the link for more information about the Conference.
To participate in the live training at the Conference, please complete the Veterans' Legal Assistance Conference & Training Registration Form and click the “Submit Form” button in the upper right corner. You may also print and return it to the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland.
If you would like to view the training via webcast instead, please complete the Veterans' Benefits Project Registration and Training Form and click the “Submit Form” button in the upper right corner. You may also print and return it to the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland.
ADVANCED TRAINING
This advanced training class for existing Veterans’ Benefits Project volunteers covers:
· a review of the types and reasons for military discharges
· a brief overview of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
· information regarding the in-service mechanisms for review of discharges
· strategies for assisting veterans in obtaining re-characterization of previously issued discharges
· understanding VA benefits and eligibility
· the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities
· how to read the 38 C.F.R.
· prevalent claims in the VA system, including PTSD and mental health claims
Attorneys can receive this advanced training by via webcast. If you are an existing Veterans’ Benefits Project volunteer and would like to take this advanced training, please complete the Advanced Veterans’ Benefits Training Registration Form and click the “Submit Form” button in the upper right corner. You may also print and return it to the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland.
All registration forms should be returned to the Pro Bono Resource Center by email, fax or regular mail.
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
520 W. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
phone: 410-837-9379; 800-396-1274
fax: 410-385-2616
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If you are not contacted by the Pro Bono Resource Center within five business days of submission, please contact PBRC to confirm receipt of your registration form. For more information, contact Kiah Elmore of the Pro Bono Resource Center at (410) 837-9379, (800) 396-1274, or
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