HAR §7-31-4. Scope of services to veterans

(a) Information and referral services shall include: (1) Assisting the individual in clarifying and identifying the request or problem for which assistance is needed through personal or telephone discussion with the individual; (2) [providing] Providing counseling and information regarding veterans' benefits; and (3) Directing and referring veterans to community agencies which provide services, assistance, and benefits to veterans by law or otherwise. (b)Aid and assistance services shall include: (1) Assisting with preparation of forms and letters which are necessary to secure benefits and services; (2) Preparing a statement of financial ability to sponsor immigrants. The office shall assist the veteran to prepare the affidavit of support form required by the Immigration and Naturalization Service for the admission of an alien. The affidavit of support form shall serve as evidence that should the alien be admitted, whether for permanent residency, vacation, or other reason, the alien will not become a public charge; (3) Securing free certified copies of vital statistics for the veteran as well as a dependent of a veteran who requires the documents to support a claim for benefits. The office shall arrange with the [State Department of Health] state department of health and the circuit courts for copies of the document which include: (A) Birth certificate; (B) Death certificate; (C) Marriage certificate; (D) Adoption decree; or (E) Divorce decree; (4) Burial in veterans' cemeteries in Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties. When requested by the veteran's family, the office shall assist the family to secure burial in county veterans' cemeteries, Hawaii Administrative Rules: Title 7, Dept. of Defense; Subtitle 2, Office of Veterans Services; Chapter 31: Services to Veterans State of Hawaii Department of Defense: Administrative Services Office [http://www.dod.state.hi.us/aso] (Page 9 of 13) and shall assist in the coordination of funeral activities. On Oahu, the family shall arrange burial with the [Federal Veterans Administration,] United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and the mortuary; and (5) Assisting with legal change of name for which the veteran is required to pay all costs. Assistance shall include: (A) Providing services necessary to coordinate and expedite the process of legal change of name; and (B) Processing the change after the veteran submits all necessary documents such as birth certificate of petitioner, all discharge papers, children's birth certificates, spouse's birth certificate, if the spouse also desires change of name." [Eff 2/9/89; am SEP 03 1994] (Auth: HRS §§363-2, 363-11) (Imp: HRS §§363-3, 363-5, 363-11) 4. Section 7-31-4.1, Hawaii Administrative Rules, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: "(a) The office shall assist with specially designed homes for disabled veterans under which the office shall provide a grant not to exceed $5,000 to remodel or purchase a home for a disabled veteran in accordance with section [303-4,] 363-11, HRS." [Eff 2/9/89; am] (Auth: HRS §363-2) (Imp: HRS §363-11) 5. Section 7-31-4.1, Hawaii Administrative Rules, is amended by amending subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows: "(d) To qualify for this grant, all of the following requirements shall be met: (1) The veteran shall be approved for a federal grant under the [Federal Veterans' Administration's] United States Department of Veterans Affairs' Specially Adapted Housing program; (2) The veteran shall have been a bona fide resident of the State before entering active service with the armed forces; (3) The veteran shall be physically residing in the State at the time the federal grant is approved as well as at the time the application for the grant and receipt of the State grant are made; (4) The veteran's home shall be used for the purpose of establishing permanent, and not temporary, residency in the State; (5) The home the veteran is remodeling or purchasing shall be in the State; (6) The veteran shall formally apply for the grant by completing the form designated by the office; (7) The office shall verify statements to establish that the veteran meets the eligibility requirements for the grant, such as verification of Hawaii residency through [State] state income tax information which the veteran shall produce; and (8) The application shall be approved by the director of the office. (e) The State grant shall be disbursed to the veteran in care of the [Federal Veterans' Administration] Hawaii Administrative Rules: Title 7, Dept. of Defense; Subtitle 2, Office of Veterans Services; Chapter 31: Services to Veterans State of Hawaii Department of Defense: Administrative Services Office [http://www.dod.state.hi.us/aso] (Page 10 of 13) United States Department of Veterans Affairs regional office to be placed in escrow. This disbursement shall be made only when the federal grant has been approved and the [Federal Veterans' Administration] United States Department of Veterans Affairs is ready to complete the escrow agreement and authorize the construction, purchase, or remodeling of the specially designed home for the disabled veteran." [Eff: 2/9/89; am ] Auth: HRS §363-2) (Imp: HRS §363-11) 6. These amendments to chapter 7-31, Hawaii Administrative Rules, shall take effect ten days after filing with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. I certify that the foregoing are copies of the rules, drafted in the Ramseyer format pursuant to the requirements of section 91-4.1. Hawaii Revised Statutes, which were adopted on ___________________, and filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. ______________________________ Adjutant General APPROVED AS TO FORM: _________________________ Deputy Attorney General BACK TO TOP DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Amendments to Chapter 7-31, Hawaii Administrative Rules SUMMARY 1.