Fort Hood  Legal

Claims Service

The mission of the Fort Hood Consolidated Claims Office is to provide accurate, thorough and timely service to all eligible claimants. The FHCCO serves the soldiers assigned or attached to Fort Hood, family members accompanying soldiers, and retirees and citizens in 102 surrounding counties. The FHCCO adjudicates various types of claims based on laws passed by Congress and implemented in Army regulations. The two primary Army policy publications relating to claims are Army Regulation (AR) 27-20 and the Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA Pam) 27-162. The FHCCO processes several types of claims on behalf of the Department of the Army including torts, article 139 claims and affirmative property claims. The directions for filing a claim are provided on the Judge Advocate General website. The Department of the Army forms cited in the information papers are available at the Department of Defense forms management program website.

• Tort Claims - Claims against the U.S. for personal injury, death or property damage caused by the negligence of military personnel acting in the scope of employment or occurring incident to the noncombat operations of the armed services. These include claims under the Military Claims Act, the Federal Tort Claims Act, the National Guard Claims Act, the Foreign Claims Act and a number of other claims statutes.
• Personnel Claims - All personnel claims must be submitted online, by calling 502-626-3000 or DSN 536-3000 with questions, or sending an email.

Legal Assistance

The Legal Assistance Office on Fort Hood serves active-duty personnel and their eligible family members as well as all retirees and their eligible family members. Services provided include:

• Legal counseling
• Preparation of letters
• Preparation of wills
• Preparation of powers of attorney
• Notary service
• Negotiate legal disputes with third parties
• Review and explanation of legal documents (sales contracts, leases, court documents, etc.)
• Provide pro se assistance in limited situations (some divorce matters, name change, step-parent adoptions)
• Referrals to civilian attorney (when appropriate)
• Referral to other military or civilian agencies.

Legal assistance attorneys will not appear in civilian courts or give advice concerning private income producing activities. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., and Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This office is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. as well as on weekends, federal holidays and some training holidays.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 254-287-7901 or 254-287-3199, visit the office in Building 13, find us on Facebook at Fort Hood Legal Assistance Office, or send an email.

Tax Assistance

The year-round tax office, is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. as well as 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday. This office is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m., weekends, on Federal Holidays and training holidays. Clients are seen by appointment. For more information, call and leave a message at 254-288-7995.

Special Victim Counsel

Special victim counselors are legal assistance attorneys who have received special training to represent victims of sexual assault. The SVC mission is to provide confidential legal representation related to issues that may arise as a result of being sexually assaulted. The SVC will represent the client's interest even if those interests do not align with the government of the United States or the accused. SVCs will work to empower victims by fostering their understanding of the military justice program and providing clients with legal assistance. Services provided by SVC include:

• Accompanying/advising clients during interviews, examinations, hearings and court-marital proceedings
• Representing clients in court-martial, as permitted by law
• Refer clients to trial defense services for collateral misconduct, if necessary
• Advocate for client with regard to disposition options
• Assist clients with post-trial submissions, to include victim impact statements
• Advise clients on collateral civil issues arising from the crime
• Provide legal assistance services to client, as needed
• Answer any questions that client may have about the courts-martial process

The Fort Hood SVC program is located in the Fort Hood Consolidated Legal Services Building. To request an SVC, contact the hotline at 254-702-2187.