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Florida Rural Legal Services outlines veteran outreach, names Okeechobee attorney for local cases
Summary
A Florida Rural Legal Services representative described services for low‑income residents, new veterans project, and designated an attorney and outreach director focused on Okeechobee County.
A representative of Florida Rural Legal Services told the board the nonprofit provides civil legal help to low‑income residents, seniors, families and victims of crime in a range of areas including housing, public benefits and domestic violence.
"We serve, a majority of the population of indigent individuals, emphasis on senior citizens, children in education, families, children and education, families, and, housing," the organization's managing attorney said. She described a recently awarded disaster project that helps residents navigate contractor and recovery issues after storms.
The organization also said it is launching a veterans project and has designated an attorney to handle Okeechobee County cases. The presenter named Samantha Simpson as the county‑focused attorney and Veronica Tillman as the outreach director making local contacts. The service offerings include document preparation (wills, powers of attorney) and limited representation for Social Security and benefits matters.
The presenter asked commissioners and county staff to connect her office with the county's veteran services officer to coordinate outreach. No funding request or formal action was taken at the meeting.
