Support Call Notes | Financial Counseling for Veterans

BUDDY-TO-BUDDY VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL March 14-15, 2016 Buddy-to-Buddy is a peer-to-peer outreach program that trains veterans to provide peer support and linkage to needed resources for Michigan Post-9/11 service members and veterans. Visit us at www.buddytobuddy.org or reach us at buddytobuddyvvp@umich.edu or 1-888-82-BUDDY. Every week, Buddy-to-Buddy holds Support Calls for its 120+ volunteers, sharing resources and bringing guest speakers to provide information on topics of interest and available services.

Guest Speaker Presentation

Financial Coaching for Veterans Guest Speaker Gabriella Barthlow 586-783-1398 military@cfpb.gov

Guest Speaker Summary  Gabe – Financial coach with Armed Services /Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – CFPB only around since 2011 to make sure orgs/banks/etc are treating consumers fairly.  Financial Coaching program teaches folks on how to handle their money better, their rights as consumers, etc.  “Anywhere we can physically go in MI, we can go.” They are also cleared to do telecoaching – do the coaching over the phone with anyone in the state of MI. These coaches exist in all 50 states. They can take on as many clients/audience as the coach can handle. The coaches are allocated only to veterans.

Financial Coaching Program – 

All about meeting the veteran where they are financially. o Today I met with person who was spouse of veteran. Veteran is mentally ill (“ill in the mental capacity”) so he’s looking out for the family’s financial well-being.

This person actually has all their own answers, just needs someone to listen. o Last week, met with veteran who was an identity theft victim and needed info on steps to take.

Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program

www.buddytobuddy.org

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o Two veterans working with who have just opened their own businesses. Just want someone to look through what they’re going through from different angles and talk through financial decision making.

Not a prescribed plan/program – it is driven by where the veteran is at.

“We teach people how to fish.”

One of the things I’ve been helping a lot of vets with lately is student loans. All the info they give you on student loans – you can access all of that through CFPB. About 4 veterans I’ve helped have so far lowered their payments and took their student loans out of delinquency. They really work with you and you can do all the paperwork online and track the process from start to finish. They’ve got it as a pretty efficient process.

What is the eligibility criteria? Transitioning veteran means veteran going through any sort of financial transition whatsoever in their life. They recently broadened the net. Not necessarily financial negatively, just a transition of any kind. o “Veteran” – National Guard and Reserves, definition for me – if you’re not currently on duty, I can help you. Don’t call while you’re in drill status.

Questions –  Which benefits would be helpful to veterans way up north? o The program is still available to you all up there, can leave our phone numbers & you can call us and have others call us – we can help them over the phone. Not limited by location. o Find coaches for other states on CFPB website.  Working with veterans who is having an issue with ITT Tech that is under investigation.

He’s delinquent in loans and everything, feels he’s been subjected to predatory loans. o He needs to file a complaint with CFPB so that he can be a part of the investigation. (He already did.) – He should call them back and tell them what his status is with the private organization and find out what his next steps are. They’ll be able to advise them  Most important thing: I am not a veteran, but my father served 20 years in Navy & father and all uncle served in Korea. Godfather served in WWII. Brother in Vietnam, other brother peacetime. Nephew just retired after 2 tours in Afghanistan as a Marine.

Summary of Volunteer Discussion: Issue/Concern: A volunteer is working with a veteran in the U.P. who is in need of assistance with back property taxes. A former program shut down. Any suggestions?

Suggestions/Resolution: Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund or Patriot Fund may be able to assist.

We might be able to use financial assistance to alleviate other financial burdens to allow veteran to pay property taxes.

Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program

www.buddytobuddy.org