GOSHEN, NY — Sens. Jen Metzger and James Skoufis joined Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) CEO Barbara Finkelstein on September 9 to announce $200,000 in state funding that will support the organization’s Veterans and Military Families Advocacy Project (VMFAP). Metzger and Skoufis were instrumental in restoring the funding in this year’s state budget, following a proposed cut by the governor.

“Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much, and Legal Services of the Hudson Valley has the experience to help them with the unique challenges that they may face, including navigating the Veterans Administration and other systems to make sure that they receive the benefits and assistance that they need and deserve,” said Sen. Metzger. “This program handled more than 400 cases last year in Orange and Sullivan counties, alone, and I am pleased we were able to secure the necessary funding to ensure that this important work will continue.”

Veterans often face unique legal problems on their return from duty, according to LSHV officials, and without the assistance of a trained attorney, many of them are unable to navigate the legal system on their own. The organization provides legal services for free to veterans and helps them access benefits and services for housing, safety, health and employment.

“Legal Services of the Hudson Valley goes above and beyond to provide necessary civil services to our veteran community,” said Sen. Skoufis. “No one should ever take legal advantage of our veterans and, with this funding, LSHV is there to make sure of it.”