2023 RECAP: MAINE BUREAU OF VETERANS' SERVICES

Assisting our veterans:

In 2023, Veterans Services Officers from the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services have been busy assisting veterans and their families get connected to their benefits, this includes 2,292 benefits claims, resulting in over $41 million in VA monetary benefits for Maine veterans and their families, 356 dependents able to utilize the Maine Veterans Dependent Education program resulting in $2.6 million in waived tuition, 648 State Park and Museum passes, and 597 veterans who received recognition for their service.

 
Welcome Home Project:

2023 marked the roll out of the Welcome home project, a new initiative by the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services in which transitioning service members are contacted by our Veterans Services Officers. This occurs in 30, 90, and 180 day increments to ensure our veterans who are either returning to Maine or moving here for the first time are connected to all the benefits and resources that are available to them. From March to August our Bureau contacted 433 transitioning service members.

 
Assisting homeless and at-risk veterans:

In 2023 the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services along with partner agencies co-hosted six “Homeless Veteran Mobile Stand Downs” across the state of Maine. This included stops in Brewer, Caribou, Lewiston, Portland, Springvale, and Augusta (Togus). During these stand downs our team was able to assist 78 veterans in addition to the continued work of our dedicated Homeless Veteran Team. 

 
Preventing veteran suicide:

As part of our ongoing involvement in the National Governor’s Challenge, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services along with other federal, state, and community partners have hosted “Veteran and Community Connection Expos” across the state. This initiative focused on identifying veterans in Maine communities, and connecting them and their families to helpful resources. During these events our team along with community partners have connected hundreds of veterans and their families to benefits and networking opportunities to veteran centric organizations.

STORM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

From the Maine Emergency Management Agency:

Individual Assistance Grant Program (IA) 

Individual Assistance is a federal program that can help people recover from a disaster.

Assistance may be provided to help with things like:

• fixing damages to your house
• rent or temporary lodging
• replacing furniture or belongings 
• help replace medical equipment such as wheelchairs and
• CPAPs

To ask for federal assistance, MEMA must show that a lot of homes were damaged. It’s very easy to determine large scale damage in tornados or hurricanes. It is harder to show large scale damage in Maine because we don’t often have highly damaging storms. Maine is not often able to apply for Individual Assistance because it’s harder to show the damage is enough to meet the guidelines for application.

If the damage was:

• done to your primary residence
• your primary residence is uninsured or underinsured
• you are a US Citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
• the damage level is major or destroyed
• the damage did not include your seawall or shoreline, property outbuildings, fencing, or the damage is cleaning up debris in your yard.

For more information, please visit Maine Emergency Management Agency (link). 

Other resources:

Army Emergency Relief Program

Zero-interest loans and grants. All assistance requests are unique and considered on an individual basis. 

Categories include:

• Emergency travel.
• Natural disaster preparation and evacuation. 
• Temporary lodging. 
• Food. 
• Vehicle costs. 
• Utilities.
• and more!

For more information visit: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/

MAINE BUREAU OF VETERANS' SERVICES LAUNCHES PILOT PROJECT AT FORT DRUM

This December the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services (MBVS) in coordination with the Transitional Assistance Program at Fort Drum launched a first in the Nation pilot project that will incorporate MBVS as part of their transitional assistance program offered at Fort Drum.

This will provide the opportunity for transitioning service members to connect with MBVS prior to leaving service and allow for them to begin making a direct connection to Maine and the services and benefits that are available to them; a proactive approach for our newest veterans and the State of Maine. 

FREE YMCA MEMBERSHIPS FOR QUALIFYING MAINE VETERANS

As the calendar turns and a new year begins, it’s a great time to remind you of an initiative here in Maine that not only recognizes the service of our veterans but also assists them with a healthier future.

The YMCA Alliance of Northern New England is partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Affairs Maine Healthcare System to grant Maine veterans access to YMCA programs and facilities across the state.

To qualify:

• Maine veterans interested in accessing a free YMCA membership MUST receive a referral from their VA Maine primary care physician. 

• To receive a referral, veterans must enroll in VA health care which can be done at va.gov or by calling 877-222-8387. 

For information about the YMCA Alliance and their 15 Maine locations, please visit nneymcas.org.

"THE LIBERATION OF KUWAIT" BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR FREE

If you served in Kuwait, we have a free copy of "The Liberation of Kuwait" available for you! Availability of these books are on a first come, first serve basis. 

Includes DVD documentary. Honoring the veterans of Desert Storm, this book published by the State of Kuwait honors those who served to liberate the state from Iraqi invasion in 1991. Full color 9" x 11" hardcover book with dust jacket. Printed on heavy glossy paper.

For your free copy, please contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services at 207-287-7020 or mainebvs@maine.gov 

HEATING ASSISTANCE INFORMATION

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include help paying for fuel and emergency fuel delivery. You can also qualify for energy-related repairs if you are eligible for HEAP.

Households are encouraged to apply for HEAP as early as possible. The application process involves both an application and an interview, to help determine eligibility and the level of benefit. The amount of benefit eligible households receive varies depending on household size, income and other factors.

For more information, please visit the MaineHousing website found here. 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 8 (Employment & Resource Fair): Veteran Employment and Resource Fair from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the 217 Waterville Road, Skowhegan. (Open to all jobseekers)

January 15 (Holiday): Martin Luther King Jr. Day, State Offices will be closed. 

January 16 (Employment & Resource Fair): Veteran Employment and Resource Fair from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the 27 Baker Street, Clinton. (Open to all jobseekers)

January 19 (Employment & Resource Fair): Veteran Employment and Resource Fair from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the University of Maine at Farmington, Olsen Student Center located at 111 South Street, Farmington. (Open to all jobseekers)

January 19, 29, | February 2, 9, 16: (Discussion Project): What does it mean to be a veteran? Join writer Cody Mower & other former service members to reflect on what it means to carry that designation of "veteran" after service. 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. happening on ZOOM. To register contact lizz@mainehumanities.org 

February 4 (Resource Fair): Veterans and Community Connections Expo from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pineland Farms Outdoor Center located at 25 Campus Drive, New Gloucester. This free event designed for veterans, service members, and their families is intended to create connections to available resources and benefits from Federal, State, and Community organizations.

If you have an event you wish to have featured on the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services website and newsletter, please email: ryan.e.lorrain@maine.gov

FOLLOW MBVS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/mainevets

Instagram: @maineveterans 

X (formerly Twitter): @MEveterans