Jack’s Story

*Jack uses the gender neutral pronouns “they/them.”

During Jack’s service in the U.S. Navy, they survived a number of traumatic incidents that have had permanent repercussions. After becoming unemployed due to health issues stemming from PTSD, Jack and partner Juliana fell behind on mortgage payments and became at risk of losing their shared home.

Jack turned to the Northampton VA Medical Center for help, and thanks to Community Legal Aid’s Veterans Medical-Legal Partnership, was connected with CLA Attorney Dan Bahls.

Before Attorney Bahls stepped in to help, the mortgage lender had told Jack and Juliana that the only option was to sell their home—a home that meant so much to them and was essential to their family’s stability.

Attorney Bahls knew that Jack was eligible for compensation for the service-connected disabilities that led to job loss, and began the long application and approval process on Jack’s behalf.

Community Legal Aid contacted the lender and assisted Jack in modifying the loan to bring the monthly payment within their means. Once the modification became permanent, the monthly payment was affordable and Jack and Juliana were able to keep their family home.

Give the gift of justice to a veteran in your community by donating to Community Legal Aid today. communitylegal.org