Are You A Homeless Veteran? > Where to Go For Help
Where to Go For Help
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Housing
This section includes ways to locate emergency shelter, transitional programs, and permanent housing assistance. If transitional housing is available, you should try to move out of emergency shelter as quickly as possible. However, there are often waiting lists or interviews for transitional, temporary, and public housing, so you should apply now.
Emergency and Transitional Housing
For Veterans Only
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans provides services to homeless veterans around the nation. To find out if there are homeless veteran service providers in your area, click here.
- Every VA Medical Center has a Homeless Veteran Services Coordinator who is responsible for helping homeless or at-risk veterans. To find the VA Medical Center serving your area, look in the blue pages of the phone book under “United States Government, Veterans Affairs,” call the VA (toll-free) at 1-877-222-8387, or go to http://www.va.gov/ and click on “Health,” then “Locations.”
For Veterans and Non-Veterans
- Look in the phone book yellow pages under “Homeless” or “Social Service Organizations” for local shelters and organizations.
- Look in the phone book blue pages under local, city or county government, "Department of Social Services, Human Services” or “Homeless Shelters”; or call the Office of the Mayor for information about local low-income housing coalitions or homeless advocacy groups who may know what is available.
- To find a list of emergency shelters for men, women, and families in every state, check the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Local Homeless Assistance list.
- Coalitions for the Homeless are listed in the phone book of many cities and urban counties. You may also find local housing information here.
Long-term or Permanent Housing
For Veterans and Non-Veterans
- Public housing waiting lists can be long, but the length of time can vary from place to place. Even if you are not sure where you want to live yet, apply to get on the waiting list so that you have as many options as possible. To learn how to apply, contact the local housing authority listed in the phone book blue pages under “Local Government, Public Housing Authority.”
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Health
If you have health issues that need to be addressed, contact the nearest VA Medical Center or clinic or a local community clinic for treatment. See below for information on general and more specialized health needs.
If eligible for veterans benefits:
- Every VA Medical Center has a homeless services coordinator who helps veterans and their families find resources inside and outside the VA health care system. Call 1-877-222-8387 to find the medical center nearest you, or go to http://www.va.gov/ and click on "Health," then "Locations."
If ineligible for veterans benefits:
Free or low-cost health care may be available from the following sources:
- Department of Social Services can tell you where to find health care facilities for the homeless. Check the phone book blue pages under local, city, or county government for the number.
- National Health Care for the Homeless Council has a list of health care providers working with homeless people across the nation. For a list of providers in your state, go to http://www.nhchc.org/.
- Free clinics are run by many local organizations and communities. Look in the phone book blue pages under “Public Health” to contact a local government office for clinics in your area.
Special health information for veterans:
All homeless people carry a higher risk of contracting hepatitis C, HIV, and tuberculosis (TB) infections, and homeless veterans are at an even higher risk for hepatitis C and TB.
- If you think you may be at risk for AIDS and HIV infection, contact the nearest VA Medical Center to get tested and seek counseling. Those at highest risk for AIDS and HIV infection are:
- people who share needles or syringes to inject drugs or steroids;
- men who have sex with other men;
- those born to mothers who have HIV;
- people who received blood transfusions before 1985;
- anyone who has sex with anyone who is at risk for HIV/AIDS.
- Hepatitis C (HCV) is a serious disease that can cause cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer. If you think you are at risk, contact the nearest VA Medical Center to get tested and seek HCV counseling. You are at risk if:
- you ever used a needle to inject drugs;
- you had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992;
- you were a health care worker and had contact with blood;
- you were on long-term kidney dialysis;
- your mother had hepatitis C when she gave birth to you.
- The Veterans Health Administration also recommends testing if:
- you are a Vietnam-era veteran;
- you have had exposure to blood on your skin;
- you have had multiple sex partners;
- you have tattoos or body piercings;
- you have ever snorted cocaine;
- you have liver disease;
- you have a history of drinking a lot of alcohol;
- you have had an abnormal liver function test.
Dental care is another important concern for the homeless. To learn more about the Homeless Veterans Dental Program and to see if you qualify, click here.
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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Treatment
The following resources may be of help if you are homeless and have substance abuse or mental health care issues, including depression or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
If eligible for veterans benefits:
- Contact the Homeless Veteran Services Coordinator at the local VA Medical Center. Call 1-877-222-8387 to find the medical center nearest you, or go to http://www.va.gov/ and click on "Health," then "Locations."
If not eligible for veterans benefits:
- The Department of Health and Human Services Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service can refer you to local programs. Call 1-800-662-4357.
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill lists community mental health services providers at http://www.nami.org/; you can also call 1-800-950-6264.
- Mental Health America offers support groups, rehabilitation, socialization, and housing services through 340 community organizations located across the country. Call 1-800-969-NMHA, or find a local office online at http://www.nmha.org/.
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Employment
Finding a job can be frustrating, but with persistence it can happen! This section provides a list of resources and supportive services for you to build job skills, find a job, and access other supportive employment services.
For Veterans Only
- Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER) work to help veterans find and keep jobs. DVOP specialists develop job and training opportunities for veterans with service-connected disabilities, linking veterans with employers and making sure follow-up services are provided. LVER specialists are located in state employment offices (also called One-Stop Career Centers or Unemployment Offices). To find a DVOP or LVER near you, visit your state employment service office listed in the phone book blue pages under “State Government, Employment Agencies,” or go to http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm.
- Organizations provide employment and training services to homeless veterans to help them get back into the workforce through the DOL-VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP). Organizations provide job search and placement assistance, counseling, remedial education, classroom and on-the-job training, and referral to supportive services. To find out if there is a program near you, call the DOL-VETS State Director listed for your state on the Department of Labor website at http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm.
- VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services help veterans with service-connected disabilities by providing job training and counseling to those who have an employment handicap. Services include help finding a job, on-the-job training, and vocational training. If you are not eligible for these services, a VA counselor may help you find other options, goals, or programs. Call your VA Regional Office (VARO) or go to http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm. Call 1-877-222-8387 for the VARO nearest you.
- Department of Veterans Affairs’ Compensated Work Therapy Program (CWT) is available to some veterans who have a primary psychiatric or medical diagnosis and are referred from certain VA programs. CWT provides a structured environment where clients participate in job training activities for at least 30 hours per week. Contact your local VA Medical Center to see if you qualify; call 1-877-222-8387 to find the medical center nearest you.
- Department of Veterans Affairs' website can help job seekers prepare resumes, find on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs, and search for job openings by state. For more information about VA employment assistance services and programs, and for contact information in your area, go to http://www.va.gov/ and click on “Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services.”
- Many community-based organizations provide employment preparation and placement services. Employment assistance is often part of a holistic program offering housing and other supportive services. For a list of organizations in your area that can provide information and local employment services, click here or call 1-800-VET-HELP.
For Veterans and Non-Veterans
- Every state government has an employment services and assistance department that provides information and supportive services to job seekers. Though each state is different, most offer comprehensive job listings, veteran-specific assistance programs (usually in partnership with DOL and VA programs), and information about unemployment benefits and training programs. Search your state’s employment assistance website for services that are offered, application policies, contact information, and office locations. On most internet search engines, simply type in the state name followed by “employment.”
- Each state has a Vocational Rehabilitation program that helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs. Look in the phone book blue pages under “Department of Human Resources” or “Department of Education” (it may be different for each state), then “Rehabilitation”; you can also type your state's name followed by "employment" into an online search engine, and look for vocational rehabilitation programs and information.
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General Assistance
Check the local phone book yellow pages under “Homeless” or “Social Service Organizations” for a list of local organizations that offer different services, which may include clothing, public transportation tokens, emergency shelters, and more. You may need to contact several agencies to find all the services you need.
Services provided by government agencies are listed in the blue pages found near the front of the phone book. Check with your local public assistance office to find out about available programs and their guidelines.
The Internet can be helpful to find information about VA benefits and community resources in your area. Use the online yellow pages, search the classified sections of various newspapers, view government pages regarding veterans benefits, etc.; locate resources using key words such as veteran, homeless, jobs, or employment. Our site's "Resources" pages provide links to various federal agency home pages, veteran-related resources, and homeless assistance organizations.
For Veterans Only
- State Departments of Veterans Affairs provide many services which differ from state to state, but may include assistance with the benefits claims process, readjustment counseling, crisis intervention, loans, family counseling, and employment assistance. For contact information in your state, go to http://www.nasdva.com/, or look in the phone book blue pages under “State Government, Veterans Affairs.”
- Stand Downs are one- to three-day events offering homeless veterans a broad range of necessities including food, clothing, medical services, legal and mental health assistance, job counseling, and referrals. A list of scheduled Stand Downs can be found at http://www.nchv.org/standdownevents.cfm.
For Veterans and Non-Veterans
- National Coalition for the Homeless has a directory of shelters and homeless assistance programs at http://www.nationalhomeless.org/directories/index.html. online; this does not list every program in the country, so be sure to check your phone book for local programs. The website also includes a directory of statewide and local advocacy organizations. Not all of these coalitions provide direct services, but they may be able to tell you about local programs or services.
- Salvation Army provides services, including shelter, for homeless individuals and families. Check the phone book for a local post or go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/.
- United Way provides a variety of services through local organizations. Check the phone book for a local post or locate local organizations at http://www.unitedway.org/. Dial 2-1-1 in some states to access local emergency services.
- Local churches and faith-based organizations, such as Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, and Volunteers of America, may have a variety of programs to assist you. Find these organizations by calling your county or city Department of Social Services. Check the phone book blue pages for the number. You may also find organizations that can provide assistance in the yellow pages under "Homeless" or "Social Service Organizations."
- Traveler’s Aid International provides emergency travel vouchers for homeless individuals and families in crisis. To find help in your area, call 1-202-546-1127 or go to http://www.travelersaid.org/.
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Financial Help
For Veterans Only
- The American Legion provides Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) from its national headquarters to help maintain a stable environment for children of veterans. To obtain an application, look in the phone book to contact a local post, or contact the National Headquarters to find the post nearest you.
For Veterans and Non-Veterans
- If you are unemployed with little or no income, you may be able to get food stamps. A person may normally qualify for $85 to $100 worth of food stamps per month. Call the toll-free information number at 1-800-221-5689, or find a list of food stamp hotlines for each state at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/contact_info/hotlines.htm. You can also contact your local Department of Human Services, many drop-in shelters, or legal aid services to ask for an application.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and disability benefits can be applied for with the Social Security Administration. Food stamps can be applied for with the SSI application. It normally takes about three months to review an SSI application, so apply as soon as possible. It is best to get help filling out the application. For detailed information or assistance, call 1-800-772-1213 or call your local social security administration office listed in the phone book blue pages; you can also go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-apply-ussi.htm.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a program called the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to help prevent homelessness. Contact your local Office of the Mayor or United Way to ask who awards this money in your area and what the rules are.
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Legal Help
Veteran status issues:
- You should talk to a Veterans Advocate Service Officer for help with discharge upgrades, seeking benefits, and filing a VA claim (see our section “Seeking Federal Benefits”).
Other legal issues:
- Most law is state-specific. Most common legal problems are governed by the law in the state where you live or where the problem occurred. When looking for legal help, make sure that information you find applies to your state, or that the lawyer or other service provider is qualified to work in your state.
- The American Bar Association has a web site with guidelines about free legal services and links to directories of legal aid offices and pro-bono programs. Go to http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm.
- Legal Services or Legal Aid offices have staff lawyers to provide free legal help to low-income clients. Look in the yellow pages for your local Legal Aid office or visit http://www.rin.lsc.gov/rinboard/rguide/pdir1.htm.
- Pine Tree Legal Assistance has an online list of organizations across the nation that provide free legal help to qualifying clients. Go to http://www.ptla.org/links/services.htm.
- Lawyers in private practice sometimes volunteer in “pro-bono” programs to take cases for poor clients free of charge. Check the yellow pages to contact your Local Bar Association, or go to http://www.abanet.org/barserv/stlobar.html.
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Toll-Free Numbers
Crisis and other toll-free numbers are often listed on the front cover or in first few pages of the phone book. You may also want to check under “Social Services” in the blue or yellow pages for additional hotlines and local numbers.
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
- Medical Centers: 1-800-827-1000
- Persian Gulf War Helpline: 1-800-749-8387
- Focus on Recovery Helpline
A 24-hour national alcohol and drug abuse addition and treatment hotline: 1-800-374-2800 or 1-800-234-1253
- National AIDS Hotline
Talk to someone who knows about HIV/AIDS and can tell you about AIDS services in your city or state: 1-800-CDC-INFO
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
1-800-838-4357 (1-800-VET-HELP)
- National Crisis Hotline
1-800-784-2433
- National Suicide Support Number
1-888-784-2433 (1-888-SUICIDE)
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