Legislator Kate Browning announced today that she has secured the participation of LIPA representatives at the Saturday, May 19 veterans enrollment event to be held at the Mastic Beach Fire House from 9am to 3pm. The event is being run by Veterans Affairs (VA) in conjunction with Mastic Beach Village and will be one of the largest events of its kind in Suffolk County to assist veterans. Furthering the legislator’s long term working relationship with Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Legislator Browning has been helping the DAV to inform veterans about a little known and seldom used benefit to disabled veterans and surviving spouses.

LIPA’s “Household Assistance Rate” program, which provides a reduction in the Delivery & System Charges portion of the veteran’s bill, is another important benefit that many veterans are unaware of. LIPA has agreed to provide application assistance to qualified veterans that are not currently enrolled in the program.

“This program allows a reduced electric rate for qualified disabled veterans and surviving spouses,” stated Legislator Browning. “It is a shame that this program has not received the exposure necessary to allow access and participation by some of our most deserving veterans. This event will help address the underutilization of the program.”

“I would like to thank Legislator Browning for her continued support of our veterans, disabled veterans and families of veterans,” stated Dennis Krulder, Hospital Service Coordinator at VAMC Northport. “Her current efforts for our veterans continue her tradition of advocating on our behalf.”

Mr. Krulder who is also responsible for the DAV Transportation Program for the State of New York said, “I can guarantee not more than 1% of our veterans know about this program.”

The DAV Transportation Network at the Northport VA Medical Center transport’s over 45,000 veterans every year from their homes on Long Island to the VA hospital at Northport, and has been trying to get more information about the “Household Assistance Rate” to veterans for years

Legislator Browning is encouraging all veterans to attend the enrollment event at the Mastic Beach Fire House on Saturday, May 19 from 9am to 3pm. If you are a veteran or surviving spouse and cannot attend on May 19, more information can be obtained by calling 1-800-490-0025. You can also obtain an application online at http://www.lipower.org/residential/custserv/fa-har.html.