NYS Releases Updated Consumer and Legal Protection Resource Guide for Veterans and Service Members

NYS Attorney General Schneiderman released an updated resource guide and website to provide veterans and active duty military personnel with information related to the education, consumer protection, and legal benefits available to them during and after active military service.  The Attorney General’s Resource Guide for Veterans and Service members details numerous state and federal benefits available to those who have served in the armed forces, including housing, education, financial, and legal protections.  The updated guide and website include updates on existing laws, as well as information on additional protections and resources that have become available since the Guide was originally published in 2011.

NYS AG said, “I encourage military families to learn about the educational, housing and legal resources available to them, and to take full advantage of the benefits and protections they have earned through their service.”

The Attorney General’s Resource Guide details federal and state laws that provide benefits to those who have served in the armed forces, and includes:

Information on educational benefits and opportunities;

Information on protections related to debt, foreclosure, insurance, leases, and other contracts;

A comparison of federal and state benefits; and

Additional resources to find more information.

The updated Guide includes information on the recent United States Department of Defense Rule, which expands the coverage of the federal Military Lending Act (MLA), and provides additional protections for service members in their consumer credit transactions, including a 36% interest rate cap, additional disclosures regarding the borrower’s payment obligation, and a ban on mandatory arbitration.  These provisions, except with respect to credit cards, became effective October 3, 2016.  The Guide also highlights a new provision of the New York State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act, which provides, as of July 21, 2016, additional protections for service members who need to terminate contracts with telecommunications, television and internet service providers or health clubs because they have been ordered to report to military service.

Along with the Guide, the Attorney General’s website provides links to press releases about issues affecting military families and an updated list of additional resources.

Additionally, the Attorney General’s office will be conducting new fraud prevention presentations for veterans across the state.

Veterans and service members are encouraged to visit the NYS Attorney General’s website.