Director's Message

Its been an excellent start to 2023! MOVA thanks all the veterans and who attended our first Bridle Paths session and we're excited for the next one on March 15th. If you're interested in attending veteran equine therapy please apply HERE. 

 I want to thank all the residents who participated in Mayor Muriel Bowser's Budget Engagement Forums this month. Across all eight wards of DC, we agree that we must do more to get guns out of our community, address the root causes of crime and violence, expand opportunity for residents who are seeking a better path forward, and hold people accountable when they harm our community. With the right people, programs, and policies in place, we can and will continue to build a safer, stronger DC. 

Finally, I was honored to attend the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs Mid-Winter Conference. This was my fourth year representing the Districts' 30,000 veterans and Mayor Bowser. VA Secretary McDonough and his three Under-Secretaries reiterated their commitment to the PACT Act. If you were affected by harmful chemical exposure during your time in service please book a claims appointment with our District Veteran Service Officers by calling 202-724-3809. 

MOVA’s Mission and Performance Metrics:

Mayor Bowser provides MOVA with the resources required to serve our districts’ 30,000 veterans and their families.  MOVA divides its $1.2M budget into three pillars of support; services, programs, and outreach.  Every month, I’m proud to report on the accomplishments of our all-veteran MOVA staff, and our veteran community, through the metrics below.

District Veteran Service Officers VA Benefits and Claims:

(2019 - Present) MOVA has received 255 VA benefit award notifications resulting in $3,867,966 of monthly recurring federal compensation, and retroactive one-time awards totaling $295,410.

VetsRide Program:

(FY23) VetsRide Via and TransCo vendors provided 157 DC veterans, 615 free trips, to medical appointments, education courses, food distribution sites, and employment interviews.

LGBTQIA+ Veteran Services & Programs:

(FY23) LGTBQIA+ Veteran Coordinator Fallon Williams has served 42 DC veterans while providing monthly events. Register for the March 22, 2023 LGBTQIA+ Fireside Chat: HERE , or book an appointment by calling 202-727-1652.

Veterans Homestead Property Tax Exemption Program:

(FY23) Effective October 1, 2022, residential real property owned by a veteran who has been classified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as having a total and permanent disability as a result of a service-incurred or service-aggravated condition or is paid at the 100% disability rating level as a result of unemployability, is eligible for reduction in assessed value of $445,000.  MOVA screened, verified and submitted 51 DC veteran tax exemption applications to the Office of Tax and Revenue.  Apply HERE

MOVA DC Veterans Monthly Roundtable

MOVA's veteran roundtable series aims to connect the District's veterans with information, resources, and organizations that may be beneficial to a successful military transition. The event consists of an informal discussion that revolves around varying topics including housing, employment, healthcare, and legal services. The next roundtable will be on Thursday, March 30th, highlighting our Women Veterans. Register HERE

I thank you, and your families, for your service to our country and community. Semper Fi. 

Elliot J. Tommingo

Director, DC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs

USMC (Ret.)

MOVA is Hiring!

Position open: District Veteran Service Officer (DVSO).

The candidate must be trained and accredited by the US Dept of Veterans Affairs to submit benefit claims on behalf of veterans and their families through the Veteran Benefit Management System (VBMS) 

APPLY HERE

MOVA's VA Benefit Claims Service

Mayor Bowser’s continued commitment to serving District veterans, service-members, and their families is a top priority.  Since the national health emergency began in March 2020, MOVA's District Veteran Service Officer has continued to complete veteran claims and worked with the US Veteran Benefits Administration ensure decisions were awarded in a timely manner. 

DC veterans, and their family members, can contact MOVA Claims at  202-724-3809 for assistance with:

• VA Disability Compensation Claims

• VA Healthcare Enrollment

• VA Non-Service Connected Pension Claims

• VA Burial and Death Benefit Claims

Disabled Veterans Homestead Property Tax Exemption 2023

Effective October 1, 2022, residential real property owned by a veteran who has been classified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as having a total and permanent disability as a result of a service-incurred or service-aggravated condition or is paid at the 100% disability rating level as a result of unemployability, is eligible for reduction in assessed value of $445,000, provided that:

The property must be occupied by the disabled veteran and contain no more than five dwelling units (including the unit occupied by the owner);

• The property must be the principal residence of the disabled veteran;
• The disabled veteran must have at least 50% ownership of the property as shown by deed;
• The disabled veteran must be domiciled in the District; and
• Total household income cannot exceed the limit applicable to Senior/Disabled Tax Relief, currently $149,400 for TY2023.

DC VETERANS CAN APPLY FOR THIS EXEMPTION: HERE

Assistance with Taxes

We want to remind all DC veterans that we are still in Tax Season. We specifically want to make sure DC residents know about the federal and DC Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).  By claiming these two credits, qualified workers are eligible for up to $9,000 combined — that's a lot of money!  If you earn less than $60,000, you should check to see if you are eligible.  People with and without children are eligible for these credits.  You can find free tax clinics by visiting this website: Free Tax Preparation Sites | disb (dc.gov).

The VetsRide program supports DC veterans as they re-engage within the DC community and workforce. For additional information regarding VetsRide program, or to register for the program, please contact Rich Strauss at the Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs at:  202-727-6437

Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act) represents the biggest expansion of Veteran benefits in history, and many Veterans may be eligible to receive compensation for their service. The PACT Act adds 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to VA’s list of service presumptions, including hypertension, with the expansion of presumptions related to Agent Orange exposure by including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll as locations for Agent Orange exposure.

While this legislation brings great promise to Veterans, it’s also a monumental opportunity for fraud. VA has received multiple reports of unaccredited law firms or companies targeting Veterans to offer their services to file claims for presumptive conditions. Unaccredited law firms and companies are reaching out to help for a fee as high as 40% of the Veteran’s retroactive payment and 40% of the Veteran’s first year of entitlement payments.

VA is committed to help protect Veterans from predatory entities, by educating Veterans, their families, and all partners about the types of activity and tactics being used against them.

To avoid being a victim of these schemes, here are some helpful tips to remember:

• Apply directly to VA. You may submit your application securely online via VA.GOV or in person at any regional office. You may file your claim directly with VA, and VA will help you gather the necessary evidence to support it. There are no costs or hidden fees to apply. Do not agree to pay an unaccredited individual or organization a percentage of your disability compensation payment or retroactive entitlement. If you need help filing a claim, there are accredited representatives to assist you.
• Be cautious of aggressive law firms or companies. Firms may use frequent communications (phone, text, and media messages) to establish a sense of urgency.
• Be cautious of for-profit companies that use VA’s name. They may alter their name to create a false association with VA and establish legitimacy. Examples include a website such as VAclaimsassistance.com that incorporates VA into its name.
• Review all legally binding documents thoroughly. Never sign a blank form someone else will fill out later or give them full discretion to act on your behalf. See the contents before you sign and keep a copy for yourself.
• Be wary of media advertisements regarding legal representation for presumptive VA claims. Companies advertising legal services may be predatory and financially motivated to obtain your VA benefits.
• If a company or individual is projecting misinformation or has questionable business practices regarding VA entitlements, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at and the Better Business Bureau.
• To report suspected fraudulent activity, please contact the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline (va.gov).
• Veterans and survivors who think they might be eligible should apply for PACT Act benefits right now. Go to va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 for more information.

By protecting Veterans’ benefits against fraudulent activity, you can help honor their service and sacrifice

If you know a Veteran who is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.