Resources for Service Members and Veterans

If you need immediate medical or mental health attention, please call 911.

If you are a Veteran or service member in crisis — or you're concerned about one — please dial 988, then press 1 -OR- start a confidential chat by texting 838255 or visiting VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Calling from overseas?

The Veterans Crisis Line , online chat, and text-messaging service are free to all service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans, even if you are not registered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or enrolled in VA health care.

Below you will find a curated list of resources for service members and veterans. Whether you're an active-duty member, a transitioning veteran, or a family member seeking support, we've compiled a comprehensive collection of tools and information to assist you.

Please click on any of the topics below to view the available resources.

Suicide and Mental Health Resources

Substance Use Treatment

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

    SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

    This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.

    https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
    1-800-663-HELP (4357) [Available 24/7]
    or TTY: 1-800-487-4889
    Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message to 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you.

Veterans Resources

  • Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

    DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides free, professional lifetime assistance and support for veterans of all generations and their families. Each year the DAV helps more than 1 million veterans connect with the healthcare, disability, employment, education, and financial benefits they have earned through military service. Annually, the organization provides more than 240,000 rides to veterans attending medical appointments and assists veterans with well over 160,000 benefit claims. In 2020, DAV helped veterans receive more than $23 billion in earned benefits. DAV’s services are offered at no cost to all generations of veterans, their families, and survivors.

    https://www.dav.org/
    https://www.dav.org/contact-us/
    https://www.dav.org/find-your-local-office/

  • PACT ACT

    The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. It is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This law helps provide generations of veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

    The PACT Act will bring these changes:
    • Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
    • Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures
    • Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
    • Requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care
    • Helps improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures

    If you’re a veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits.
    PACT Act Journey Map

  • Vet Centers

    Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families.

    http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/index.asp
    1-877-927-8387

  • Women Veterans

    Women veterans may be eligible for a wide variety of benefits available to all U.S. military veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial.

    https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-women.asp

    The following sections provide information about VA benefits and programs specifically for women veterans.

    • Center for Women Veterans

      VA's Center for women veterans monitors and coordinates VA's administration of benefit services and programs for women veterans. The Center advocates for a cultural transformation that recognizes the service and contributions of women veterans and women in the military, and also raises awareness of the responsibility to treat women veterans with dignity and respect.

      https://www.va.gov/womenvet

    • Women Veteran Coordinators

      There are Women Veteran Coordinators (WVCs) located in every regional office who function as the primary contact for women veterans. WVCs provide specific information and comprehensive assistance to women veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries concerning VA benefits and related non-VA benefits. They may assist you in the claim’s intake, development, and processing of military sexual and personal trauma claims.

      https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits

    • VA Health Care for Women Veterans

      At each VA medical center nationwide, a Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM) is designated to advise and advocate for women veterans. The WVPM can help coordinate all the services you may need, from primary care to specialized care for chronic conditions or reproductive health.

      Woman veterans who are interested in receiving care at the VA should contact the nearest VA Medical Center and ask for the Women Veterans Program Manager.

      https://www.va.gov/directory/
      http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/healthcare.asp

    • VA Benefits for Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

      Veterans of all gender identities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, ages, branches, and eras of service have experienced MST. Unfortunately, experiences of MST are most common among women veterans. About 1 in 3 women veterans tell their VA health care provider they experienced sexual harassment or assault while in the military.

      Veterans may be able to receive compensation for conditions that started or got worse in the line of duty. This includes physical or mental health effects or disabilities related to MST.  Explore disability eligibility here. If you have questions, a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) representative at your nearest regional office can explain more.  Find your nearest regional office.

    • Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Coordinators

      VA has special services available to help women who experienced military sexual trauma (MST), including free, confidential counseling and treatment for mental and physical health conditions related to MST. You do not need to have a service-connected disability or injury and may be able to receive this benefit even if you are not eligible for other VA care. You do not need to have reported the incidents when they happened or have other documentation that they occurred in order to receive MST services.

      Every VA facility has a designated MST Coordinator who serves as a contact person for MST-related issues. This person is your advocate and can help you find and access VA services and programs, state and federal benefits, and community resources.

      https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/mstcoordinators.asp

Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Trauma Resources

  • Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

    Anyone can experience MST, regardless of gender. Like other types of traumas, MST can negatively affect a person’s mental and physical health, even years later. If you are currently experiencing difficulties related to MST, the VA is here to support you in whatever way helps best — from simply learning more about how MST affects people, to treatment that helps you cope with how MST is impacting your life currently, or if you prefer, treatment that involves discussing your experiences in more depth.

    https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/mentalhealth/msthome/index.asp

  • VA Benefits for Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma

    Veterans of all gender identities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, ages, branches, and eras of service have experienced MST.

    Veterans may be able to receive compensation for conditions that started or got worse in the line of duty. This includes physical or mental health effects or disabilities related to MST.  Explore disability eligibility here. If you have questions, a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) representative at your nearest regional office can explain more.  Find your nearest regional office.

  • Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Coordinators

    VA has special services available to help veterans who experienced military sexual trauma (MST), including free, confidential counseling and treatment for mental and physical health conditions related to MST. You do not need to have a service-connected disability or injury and may be able to receive this benefit even if you are not eligible for other VA care. You do not need to have reported the incidents when they happened or have other documentation that they occurred in order to receive MST services.

    Every VA facility has a designated MST Coordinator who serves as a contact person for MST-related issues. This person is your advocate and can help you find and access VA services and programs, state and federal benefits, and community resources.

    https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/mstcoordinators.asp

  • Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP)

    The VA’s IPVAP is committed to helping veterans, their partners, and VA staff who are impacted by IPV. If you, or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV - help is available.

    https://www.socialwork.va.gov/IPV/Index.asp

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7/365

    The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

    https://www.thehotline.org/
    1-800-799-SAFE (7233) [Available 24/7]
    TTY: 1-800-787-3224
    Live chat
    Text ‘START’ to 88788

  • Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)

    RAINN is a 24/7, toll-free hotline and chat that links callers to the nearest RAINN-associated rape crisis center and can assist survivors in obtaining services.

    https://www.rainn.org/
    1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)

Housing Assistance and Homelessness Resources

  • Housing assistance

    There are several federal programs designed to help you keep your home or find a new one that’s safe and reliable. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program can help subsidize your housing costs until you get back on your feet. There are other programs, like the Grant and Per Diem Program, where you’ll be supported by community funding and acquired property sales to get you a better deal on housing. Learn more about your housing assistance options at the Veterans Affairs website.

    https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/

  • Homeless Programs Office (HPO)

    The mission of the HPO is to assist veterans and their families in obtaining permanent and sustainable housing with access to high-quality health care and supportive services.

    Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.

    https://www.va.gov/homeless/
    https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCallCenter.asp
    1-877-424-3838 (1-877-4AIDVET) [Available 24/7]

Other Resources

  • National Resource Directory

    The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a resource website that connects wounded warriors, service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers to programs and services that support them. The NRD is hosted, managed, maintained, sustained and developed by the Defense Health Agency's Recovery Coordination Program.

    It provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. Visitors can find information on a variety of topics that supply an abundance of vetted resources.

    For help finding resources on the site, visit the How to Use this Site section of the NRD.
    https://www.nrd.gov/misc/howToUseThisSite
    https://www.nrd.gov/

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