SC-VALOR Program
This program is a collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office, the South Carolina Bar, and the SC Military Department.
Program Overview
The SC-VALOR (Veteran and Armed Services Legal Outreach) Program coordinates existing legal resources for the military and veterans. We find support and fill-in where gaps exist, as well as minimize duplicate efforts. The program will consist of free legal clinics held around the state, and a referral line to connect veterans and members of the military with lawyers who will provide free or heavily-discounted legal help for problems too complex to be handled at the clinics. The legal clinics will be able to handle simple legal issues like writing wills and power of attorney documents.
Common Legal Issues
The most common legal issues the SC-VALOR program will handle will be Service Member Civil Relief Act issues. Those can be landlord/tenant or employment issues that come up when a service member is deployed or a service member who’s not receiving lower interest rates that are required by law when deployed.
Housing & Utility Bill Relief Funds
Relief funding to help veterans pay housing costs and utility bills is now available in South Carolina. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said the funding is to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Veterans do not need to have an eviction notice to get help.
Those who wish to apply for funding can call the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program at 803-995-8464 (Midlands) or 864-345-1299 (Upstate).
If you are a homeless veteran or know a homeless veteran, you can also contact the SSVF Program for possible assistance in obtaining shelter.
About SC Pro Bono Program
Many South Carolina lawyers offer their services for free (pro bono) to clients who cannot afford to pay for help with civil legal matters. You must meet federally established poverty guidelines to qualify. The Pro Bono Program is rarely able to accommodate emergency requests for a lawyer. Lawyers across our great state volunteer their time and services to provide legal aid to those who otherwise might not have the financial means to obtain it.
Contact Us
Tim Frisby
Valor Program Coordinator
(803)734-VETS
tfrisby@scag.gov
Resources
- Veterans Legal Checkup
- Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
- Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
- Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel
- SC Division of Veterans Affairs
- US Armed Forces Legal Assistance
- US Navy Judge Advocate Region Legal Service Office Southeast
- Coast Guard Legal Assistance
- Air Force Legal Assistance
