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Q&A
NYC veteran disability claim rates and potential benefits of increased funding
0:41:32
ยท
135 sec
Council Member Holden highlights the disparity between NYC's veteran disability claim rate and the national average, emphasizing the potential benefits of increased funding for DVS to address this issue and improve veteran services.
- NYC's veteran disability claim rate is 20.1%, compared to the national average of 31.2%.
- Holden argues that a small increase in funding could help DVS communicate with more veterans and increase self-identification.
- The council member estimates that there may be up to 230,000 veterans in NYC, with many not self-identifying or receiving services.
- Holden expresses frustration with the lack of progress and investment from the city administration in veteran services.
Robert Holden
0:41:32
Because I don't think they're friends.
0:41:34
Because, again, if we're we're not getting any progress, we we're not even asking, you're not even telling us what new needs you would be able to address.
0:41:46
Certainly, our national we're way below the national average on disability claims for our veterans.
0:41:52
What is it, eleven, twelve percent below that?
0:41:55
This is one where
James Hendon
0:41:55
it's twenty point one percent here in New York City, but it's thirty one point two percent national.
0:42:00
That was that number.
Robert Holden
0:42:01
So, yeah, so we're quite we're lagging behind.
0:42:04
And that alone, if we address that, if we got a few more million to communicate with our 97 or a 90,000 veterans that you you say is probably closer to 230,000.
0:42:19
Right?
James Hendon
0:42:20
I believe yeah.
0:42:21
I believe the number I believe the number is greater than
Robert Holden
0:42:22
200.
0:42:22
So if we're missing if we're not even on we're not we're not even locating the 40,000 that won't self identify.
0:42:29
We're not and no and we're lagging behind in all the categories in New York City of our veterans receiving services, self identifying, disability.
0:42:42
A little investment would go a long way.
0:42:45
And if we can't I I know, you know, you're stuck between a rock and a hard place.
0:42:49
I know OMB is holding all the cards and they can just say, you get the same thing and you're lucky you're getting the same amount of money.
0:42:56
But it it's really it shouldn't be up to the council.
0:43:00
It should be the mayor that steps in and says, you know what?
0:43:05
We have to do a little bit more investment.
0:43:07
And but I'd like to hear what new needs that you let let's
Christopher Leon Johnson
0:43:11
just
Robert Holden
0:43:11
play, you know, sort of and I don't wanna put you on the spot because I think you you do good work and you you're you're doing a lot with very little.
0:43:23
But we're not gonna make any progress in reaching our veterans that need services if we don't increase the budget at least to communicate with them.
0:43:32
If we can't get that, then shame on us.
0:43:36
And I I I just like to say what would you do with a few more million to at least that was budgeted for mailings, let's say.
0:43:45
Let's just do something very basic.