PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Thanks to Florida's state's budget this year, Stetson University College of Law received $438,000 for its Veterans Advocacy Clinic.

The program provides free legal service to veterans and their families who are appealing decisions about their disability benefits.

Veterans Advocacy Clinic Director Stacey-Rae Simcox said the money will go a long way.

"We haven't had the manpower to help everybody who needs it, but we expect that we're going to make a big dent in that in the coming year thanks to the state of Florida's appropriation."

Helping work these cases are fellows like LaTonya Lynn.

Lynn spent the summer in the fellowship program assisting veterans struggling with their disability claims.

Before heading to Stetson as a student, she served in the United States Army and said helping veterans is her passion.

"That 'aha' moment was just going through the process myself as a new retiree and understanding that the system for veterans is wholly different from those who serve on active duty," she said.

The clinic opened in 2012 and has since helped hundreds of veterans navigate the VA disability system.

With the new money, it plans to hire another attorney and partially pay for another to help additional veterans.

"Sometimes they just don't understand the processes that are required to help them get the disability and or benefits," LaTonya said. "So this is an opportunity to do so, to bridge the gap between veterans and the VA."