homelessness

Advocating for the homeless veteran

Eric Saretsky2 Comments

Homelessness. The word itself conjures up all sorts of desperate images. Many who have not experienced homelessness are often one paycheck away (layoff or an economic recession) from such a fate. Some of these veterans whom I have encountered in the past, did not expect to be homeless, but due to marital issues, mental health challenges, the high cost of living, or addiction ended up in shelters or on the streets. Help, for those who want it, requires diligence and patience to navigate the bureaucracy. Finding an advocate to help is not easy, and often there are many seeking assistance who require a time-consuming process to provide needed services. For a volunteer not employed in the social services public sector, it means lots of research. Judging by the number of veteran outreach programs started by veterans, we take care of our own.

One such case I have been seeking to help has been “identity-less” for a very long time. In his words, he lost all his identification, military separation papers (DD-214), social security card, state identification, and personal papers, leaving him unable to easily re-engage into society. Twenty years later he reached out to me, finding my business card where he gets mail. In a close circle of friends, and the kindness of a homeless shelter, he was encouraged to take steps to recover. As a veteran, he was originally input in the VA medical system, and yet, without a government-issued document, he cannot prove that the record is his. To verify his identity, a military or VA identity card, social security card, utility bills, or a certified birth certificate are steps to obtaining a state identification card. He will need to have financial means to meet required payment of fees through check or money orders. Even though initially contacted to obtain a personal criminal background check – as a means to confirm his identity, the Department of Justice requires a government-furnish identity card (at minimum an social security card) to submit fingerprints.

As he was once married, even though his spouse has since deceased, he may request a certified copy of a marriage license from the state where it was performed, as a document to confirm identity. However, as he claims he is a native of California, regaining his identity can begin with an application, notarized, to request a certified birth certificate from the Department of Public Health. From there, he can apply at a Veterans Administration office or through a veteran service organization, to request his DD-214. With these government documents, he can request a replacement Social Security card through the local government office, and a state identity card.

Steps to identity recovery in California:

  • VS-113A Obtaining a certified marriage license, for a marriage performed in California (other states have their own processes) as a form of identification
  • VS-111. Obtaining a certified birth certificate . Submit notarized statement from a recognized family member See application, pg 5. Also, an authorized member of a government agency can request the registrant’s birth certificate.
  • If the requestor knows his or her Social Security Number, he may use the government website to request a replacement Social Security card online. Certified copies of other identity documents can be uploaded to the request. These have to bear an official stamp and not be photocopies nor a notarized one. If the SSN is unknown, a visit to a local Social Security office is necessary.
  • For a DD-214, the official Release from Active Duty, visiting a Veterans Administration office may be necessary, unless the former service member has taken the steps to enroll in milConnect. An advocate, or next of kin, may, with the veteran’s permission in writing, request the veteran’s military record or DD-214. Here are the instructions. Noted in the instructions, “Certain basic information needed to locate military service records, includes: the veteran’s complete name as used in service; service number; Social Security Number (if applicable); branch of service; dates of service; date and place of birth. For records affected by the 1973 Fire, additional information, such as place of discharge; last assigned unit; and place of entry into service may be useful.”

Ask the Chief: steps in getting your life back

Eric SaretskyLeave a comment

Privacy, in its purest sense, is impossible. All of us at one time or another require some good or service from the world. I once mocked a friend who declared he wanted to “drop off the radar” and therefore, not be surveilled by big business, targeted by advertising on the Internet, to cease getting spam mail and email, and not have “Big Brother” know his movements. Exactly, in this totally-connected, iPhone- and Amazon-connected generation, would anyone manage that? From my earliest years, and particularly once I joined the military, I was DNA-catalogued, fingerprinted, listed in voluminous credit bureau and bank records, and school files going back more than 40 years. In almost any setting, we exchange information that is tracked and personally-identified. Retail and ATM transactions, recordings on store surveillance cameras, hospital records, Netflix accounts, school IDs, drivers licenses, and social security numbers are just a few records we all know about. For the last twenty-five years, our daily lives have become an interwoven record of billions of data points, such that a native-born person’s identity is rarely questioned.

What happens when someone dropped out of the “mainstream” and has spent decades in the “fringe” of society? We have hundreds of thousands of homeless people in the United States, many of whom might want to live as many of us do, with jobs, safe conditions, and self-respect. What if you do not have anything that identifies you, as you? No photo identification, no credit card, bank statement, social security card, or birth certificate that can be readily produced. Assuming someone has not been incarcerated, what records can they produce – to get a job, a government id card, or SSN card? The homeless often suffer since many of their belongings may be lost or stolen, and family members may be unwilling to help.

Recently, I was asked about a service I provide, live scan fingerprinting, as to whether it would help get someone assistance in obtaining identification. The person on the other end of the call was reportedly a military veteran who had been homeless for twenty years. And at the urging of a family member, was seeking assistance to start moving his life back in the right direction. Namely, to obtain identification documents to help transition from a homeless shelter.

It begs the question, how does anyone begin to piece your life, in 2023, together? What little I know of government processes, indicate that someone has to show some government-furnished document – an identity card, drivers license, visa, or at minimum some bills that indicate your identity is recognized. In the absence of these, or to begin the process of obtaining identification, a person needs to request a copy of their birth certificate (which may be difficult without “proof” of identity). As a veteran, one’s military records or Veterans Administration medical files should be accessible, but these take some effort to obtain. Organizations that serve specific groups, such as Veteran Service Organizations (American Legion, VFW, DAV, and so forth), the VA, and local community resources may be able to help guide someone to regain identification. However, it often requires someone trustworthy and willing to help. And time and money, to petition agencies and courts, obtain certified records, and more than likely, a willingness to be an agent or advocate for the person seeking his or her “identity”.

I am motivated to help this veteran. As a veteran advocate I follow on social media, Lt Col Scott Mann states in the case of our veterans, “it is up to us”. I have asked the vet I spoke with today to keep my number tucked away. In the meantime, I will do some research to see whether the avenues I consider in this post will help guide this individual forward. If you have any experience in such things, I will welcome your feedback.

at your six

Eric SaretskyLeave a comment

Since I retired from the daily commute (and 12-hour workdays) a couple years ago, I enjoy more leisurely weekday mornings several times a month. With the end to COVID shutdowns, I am again meeting old friends over breakfast or coffee. Wednesday, I met a Marine veteran I have known for nearly twenty years. As military veterans and Christians, we encourage one another with conversation from similar military experiences, current events and biblical perspective. While sharing a meal with people is an opportunity to encourage one another (Acts 2:42 -47), we also can be encouraging to, and encouraged by people we meet. As we waited for our breakfast order to be prepared, we watched a homeless woman at the next table enjoy a little coffee the café employee freely gave her. Paul and I engaged her in conversation, and she notably brightened. Though living on the streets, she was someone’s grandmother and hungry for some pleasant conversation. I bought her the same breakfast we were having; Paul and I returned to our conversation. As we finished our meal, we noted she had quietly moved on. While she was grateful for the kindness shown her, it was I who learned the most from the morning. As disciples of Jesus and as veterans, He leads us. Jesus fed and cared for the poor and hungry; He instructed us to do likewise.

“At your six” is a military phrase that is analogous to a clock; six o’clock is behind the 12 o’clock or lead position, or “I’ve got your back”