Suozzi Announces Unique Partnership with State to Help Returning Veterans
Nassau is First County in New York with Plan to Contact
Post-9/11 Vets, to Ensure They Receive Benefits
Mineola, NY – Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today announced a unique partnership with New York State to contact the 4,500 veterans in Nassau County who served after Sept. 11, 2001, in order to make them aware of all the benefits they are entitled to. Suozzi was joined by George Basher, the director of the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs.
Due to Suozzi’s efforts, the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency is the first veterans agency in New York to obtain from the State Division of Veterans Affairs the names and contact information of veterans living within its borders. This partnership with the state is a pilot program, which may be extended to other New York counties.
“We can perhaps never fully repay our veterans for their selfless service to us and to our country, but we can certainly make sure they get the benefits they deserve to ease the transition back into civilian life,” Suozzi said. “Too often, veterans are not aware of the benefits due to them. And the sad fact is, veterans have a limited time to enroll for some of their benefits – if they miss the deadline, they can miss out on much needed healthcare benefits.”
If veterans do not register for lifelong medical benefits within two years of being honorably discharged, they are in danger of losing those benefits forever. The county’s plan to send out multiple mailings to veterans will make them aware of this important deadline, along with other crucial information.
Nassau County is dedicated to helping all its veterans, including those just returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The County website (www.nassaucountyny.gov) has a new page devoted to our newest veterans. The webpage includes information about veterans’ scholarships, job training and referral, counseling and healthcare services, veterans’ loan programs and the many benefits that veterans are entitled to.
Working with the county and the state on this initiative was the Nassau County Bar Association, the Northport VA Medical Center, the Long Island Vet Center, the Peninsula Counseling Center and the Mental Health Association of Nassau County.
