Should we be concerned with homeless civilians posing as veterans?

There are a lot of people out there that are posing as veterans and yes it is wrong. We do need to take care of all but or veterans are in true need. They can not be forgotten.

Actually Yes, No one should impersonate a veteran; but also, you should give whether they are a Veteran or not is my take on it also. I mean if you're going to give to the homeless it shouldn't matter if they are a Veteran or not. Just give to them. I give all the time for the ones that I see have no choice. Do I always give? No! There are a lot out there asking for handouts that are quite capable of work. Being Homeless and being Helpless are two different areas that walk a fine line with me. I'll give to the Helpless but not always to the Homeless. Just last night I witnessed an Old Man digging through a garbage can and literally dumping crumbs from a bag into his mouth and than digging again for more. By the shape of him and his age I knew he was helpless so I gave him $20 and didn't even think rather he was a Veteran or not.
A Military Veteran is anyone that served in the Military no matter how long that enlistment was or there lack of. A War Veteran is someone whom served in a war in the military. A lot of people confuse the term Veteran. So when we say there are Veterans out there we aren't always talking about War Veterans. So that kid in the picture posted may have enlisted in the Services and then got out therefore a Veteran.

I will give to anybody regardless of what their story is, I do not believe personally that when I stand before God I will be punished for giving the poser money. Although I have to say as of late I have been a bit strapped for cash as I look for my first job after graduating, and I feel bad when I have nothing in my pocket to give.

I will say though if I get the opportunity to talk to them I will mention that they get in contact with local VA facility, and suggest they ask about the HUD VASH program. It has been doing wonders, and has helped reduce veteran homelessness by 33% over the past several years. When I worked for the local Vet Center those I referred to them never came back complaining, and I heard that they sometimes help them find housing that night. This program requires a Social Security number to verify service to begin the process.

If they are a faker they will not qualify; so that is a way that I am not helping both parties as I do not know the resources off the top of my head that are open to the general public.

I agree that no one should impersonate a vet. I also think it's a sad thing that they should have to feel the need to in order to get help. I would help them regardless just for the fact that it's not my place to judge what they have to do just to eat. It's easy for anyone to judge if they have not been in these people's shoes. If your starving I'm sure you would do what it takes to survive...

I give when I can but I am sure there are loads of people claiming to be homeless vets when they aren't

While according to some reports around 25% of all homeless men are veterans. Unfortunately many other homeless men may have gleaned that being a vet pays and are using this to exploit the generosity of others. What ever the reasons that has lead someone to become homeless lying and deceitful practices are not positive steps regardless if they involve stolen valor. However sir I feel that homeless vets are a societal issue that needs to be addressed by the military as with so many service members now having a physical and or mental health issues.

I've had people come up and say they are starving, and anything helps because they haven't eaten in 3 days. I offer to buy them something from the place we happen to be in the parking lot for, but most times they refuse, saying they don't want to put me through that kind of effort. I don't have a problem with being charitable, but I do have a problem when they dictate what that charity entails. As for helping out the veterans, I usually go through the Social Services Veterans Programs. Those are geared towards helping homeless Vets and Vets needing any type of assistance.

It happens here in the DC metro area as well. Maybe some of these guys were in the service or perhaps they are stealing valor. They may be claiming veteran status to get a hand out. Who knows what the truth is...

Its another form of stolen valor. I feel horrible for anyone in this country that is homeless. Some will use whatever tool is at their disposal to get what they need. Doing something like claiming one is a homeless is a probably a desperate act that impacts real homeless vets by skewing the real numbers and possibly taking benefits away from them.

In my experience, I find that we all have been in a hard situation, some more than others. I chose to give to those who do not ask for anything but are attempting to make their way, however i do not chose to provide for those who are deliberately standing on the side of the road or in front of a military installation asking for some sort of funds.
I have helped those who were seeking help but not seeking a crutch or an excuse for why they needed help, but i have given my time provided or directed them to a shelter or a place of need. I believe that we all in certain situations need that extra nudge to get us back on our feet. I do not believe that begging for that temporary fix, warrens that nudge.
with that being said and recovering from digressing - I have seen some vets asking for help, however i have oft thought it was odd to find a vet asking for money. You normally can see those who are just begging for money, or you can see those who actually need the help, but when i see someone who clearly shows he has no form or military experience, running into the surplus store to buy some ACU pants or jacket and scuff it up to help his "story" i find a huge issue with that.