For the past ten years, our country has been at war. For most of us, daily life has not been greatly affected, but for military families the strain has been immense. As Veterans' Day approaches we all should try to do more to support our servicemen, servicewomen, our veterans, and their families. Please help circulate the information below -- and please find time over the holiday to thank a veteran or servicemember for their sacrifices to defend our nation.
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John Kroger, Oregon Attorney General, presents the Governors Coin on behalf of Governor John Kitzhaber at the demobilization ceremony for Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 168 Aviation at Army Aviation Support Facility #2, Pendleton, Ore., 16 June. Photo courtesy of the Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office.
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Employment Discrimination. It is unlawful to discriminate against servicemembers in the workplace. Whether you have decided to enlist, are on active duty or have served in the past, if an employer denies you employment, retention in employment, promotion or accrued seniority or benefits because of your association with uniformed service, it may be employment discrimination. Contact the Oregon Department of Justice at 1-877-877-9392, or any of the other resources listed at the bottom of this email to get help. Learn more about veterans employment rights.
Consumer Protection. It is an unconscionable trade practice to knowingly take economic advantage of a deployed or disabled veteran or their spouse. If you are the victim of consumer fraud contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or file complaint online.
If you are called to active duty you may qualify for additional consumer protections such as reduced interest rates on consumer debt, delay of bankruptcy, foreclosure or other civil court actions, and protection from eviction. Learn more about consumer rights for veterans.
Child Support Services. The Oregon Child Support Program offers a range of free or low-cost services to support Oregon veterans and their families. If you are a veteran, current military member or a member of a military family with an open child support order, please tell us. For a veteran paying support, it may be possible to lower your out-of-pocket payments by applying a portion of your veterans' benefits toward your monthly child support obligation. For a family member receiving support, it may be possible to receive additional support if the service member is receiving veteran disability benefits. Our case managers can also help make sure your children have legal access to military benefits. Learn more about child support for military families or contact the child support office nearest you.
Additional Resources:
Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
A federal Department of Defense organization staffed by local volunteers that takes employment discrimination complaints and attempts to work out negotiated solutions between employers and servicepersons. Contact the ESGR by calling 1-800-336-4590.
U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)
To make a formal employment discrimination complaint under federal law call 1-866-4-USA-DOL.
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)
To make a formal employment discrimination complaint under state law (can be made in addition to a formal complaint to VETS) call 971-673-0764
Oregon State Bar's Military Assistance Panel
This program matches deployed servicemembers and their dependents with attorneys willing to provide up to two hours of legal advice at no charge. Contact the Military Assistance Panel toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-452-8260.
Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA)
Explore the ODVA website to learn more about educational benefits, counseling services, long-term care for senior veterans, low-interest home loans, emergency assistance and other services available to Oregon military members.
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