TAMPA, Fla. -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody was in Tampa Friday to announce a new statewide partnership with a Tampa-based nonprofit to help military veterans.
"We are trained and ready to stand up for veterans who stood up for us," said Moody, who made the announcement at Tampa's Veterans Memorial Park.
Moody outlined a statewide helpline offering free and legal advice for military veterans. The call center will be based out of Bay Area Legal Services, a Tampa-based nonprofit that serves five counties.
"Our clients are struggling in their daily lives with finding enough food, for finding jobs, for finding a place that’s safe to live," said C.E.O. Dick Woltmann. "They have earned the right to our support."
Bay Area Legal Services already assists approximately 1,000 clients annually. Woltmann's team will soon add six attorneys who will focus on fighting for Florida veterans, helping them with housing, illegal evictions, and obtaining benefits earned while in service.
Florida is home to more than 1.5 million veterans, the third most in the country.
"They have put themselves in very difficult positions to protect us and for those who need protection, it’s now our turn to step up," said Woltmann.
If you are a veteran and would like more information about free legal help, call (866) 486-6161.
