Resources for Veterans and Their Families

Veterans of the United States military face a host of challenges during their service and for the years to come afterwards. 

We compiled these national and local state resources that assist with a range of issues so that you can seek the kind of help you need. 

Key Issues Facing U.S. Veterans and Their Families:

• Approximately 1.5 million veterans live below the federal poverty level.¹
• Fewer than half of veterans in need of mental health treatment receive such care.²
• Veteran homelessness increased by 7.4% in 2023.³

The Challenges Ahead for Veterans

Transitioning to the civilian world is not always easy, as many veterans struggle to find adequate employment, affordable housing, comprehensive health care and more.

There were more than 18.5 million veterans in the U.S. as of 2023.⁴ Unfortunately, the obstacles that lie before many of America’s service members and retirees are numerous.

Mental Health

Many of the scars left by combat are mental and emotional.

It’s estimated that 30% of military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan return home with a mental health issue, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Only half of those returning veterans receive any treatment.

Even more troubling is that an average of 20 veterans commit suicide every day in the U.S.⁵

Physical Health and Disabilities

According to census data, there were 4.9 million veterans living with a service-connected disability in 2022.⁶ A “service-connected” disability is a result of injury or disease that was incurred or was aggravated during active military service.

Substance Abuse

The psychological stress of combat – coupled with long deployments and frequent moves – can strain family relationships. It can also lead some veterans towards alcohol or substance abuse upon their return to civilian life.

Around 11% of veterans who visit a VA medical facility for the first time are found to have a substance abuse disorder (SUD).⁷

Employment

Big strides have been made in recent years regarding the employment rate for veterans. However, around 250,000 veterans remained unemployed in 2022.⁸

Some potential contributing factors include lack of education and work experience, along with mental or physical health impairments.

Housing

Some of the factors that contribute to veteran unemployment can also lead to homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that more than 35,000 veterans are currently homeless.⁹

Finances

More than three-quarters of military and veteran family members carry debt, and more than one-third have less than $500 in savings.¹⁰

Veterans Affairs Benefits and Medicare

Close to 50% of American veterans (over 9 million people) are over age 65.

If you or a loved one are a veteran nearing age 65 or older, you may want to consider your health care coverage options, which may include:

• Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
• TRICARE
• Medicare

If you only have VA insurance benefits, you are limited to receiving covered health care services only at VA facilities. If you also enroll in Medicare Part A hospital insurance and/or Part B medical insurance (Part B is optional), your health care provider options open up to include more hospitals, doctors, pharmacies and other providers who accept Medicare.

If you are not on active duty and are entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A, then you must also enroll in Medicare Part B in order to keep TRICARE coverage.

You must also be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B (together known as Original Medicare) in order to have TRICARE For Life. The lone exception is if you are the spouse of an active duty service member, in which case you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B.

National Resources for Veterans

Mental Health

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line is a free and confidential hotline lending support to veterans 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. The line may be reached at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or 1-800-799-4889 for the deaf or hard of hearing. You may also send a text message to 838255.

Support is provided by qualified VA responders, and veterans are free to call on behalf of themselves or another veteran for whom they are concerned. If you or another service member are at risk for suicide, a trained responder will help you through the crisis and make sure everyone involved is safe.

If you or the service member you’re concerned about is not at immediate risk for suicide, the trained responder will still listen and offer support. You get to decide how much information you want to share. 

Military OneSource

Military OneSource provides non-medical counseling services to veterans. Counseling services are free, confidential and provided by trained counselors experienced in military life.

Sessions are available by phone, in-person, live chat or video chat. Trained counselors can help talk through a number of issues with you, such as:

• Stress or anger management
• Marital issues
• Parenting challenges
• Adjustment difficulties when returning from combat
• Coping with loss and grief

 Disability Benefits and Other Financial Assistance

Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides monthly compensation to veterans, their surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents as a result of an injury, disease or death suffered during active service.

Depending on your situation, you or your loved ones may qualify for compensation such as the following:

• Disability Compensation
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Parents DIC
• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
• Special Claims

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)  

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization is a non-profit charity that helps veterans and their families and survivors with benefits claims.

DAV also offers employment resources and transportation services, among other resources.

American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA)

The American Legion sponsors a Temporary Financial Assistance program that awards cash grants to minor children of American Legion members. The money is designed to keep children in a more stable environment by helping with shelter, food, utilities and health expenses.  

Additional financial assistance resources for veterans include:

• Operation Family Fund
  
• Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes
  
• USA Cares

Substance Abuse

The Veterans Alcohol and Drug Dependence Rehabilitation Program provides medical, social, vocational and rehabilitation therapy to veterans battling alcohol and drug dependency.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides scientifically proven services for veterans in need of substance abuse treatment that includes therapy and medication.

Additional substance abuse resources for veterans include:

• American Addiction Centers
  
• Recovery First

 Employment Services

There are a number of programs designed to help veterans transition from the battlefield to the workforce. Services can include job training, employment matching and recruiting, apprenticeship programs and more.

You can find employment assistance resources from some of the following organizations:

• Veteran and Military Transition Center
  
• Troops to Teachers
• Helmets to Hard Hats
• Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)
• Department of Veterans Affairs Career and Employment
• Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
• Feds Hire Vets
  
• AMVETS
  
• Still Serving Veterans

 Housing

The VA helps veterans and surviving spouses achieve homeownership courtesy of a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs. VA Home Loans are provided by banks, mortgage companies and other private lenders, and a portion of the loan is guaranteed by the VA.  

Another resource is the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency and supportive housing for veterans.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also offers the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. The SSVF awards grants to local non-profits and other groups that help low-income veteran families who are living in or transitioning to permanent housing.

These local groups can help eligible veterans and their families with outreach, case management, and other VA benefits such as:

• Health care services
• Transportation services
• Legal services
• Child care
• Housing counseling

Additional housing resources for veterans include:

• Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH)
• Department of Defense Lodging

 Education

The GI Bill has helped millions of veterans attend college since World War II. The program can cover up to 100% of the cost of tuition and up to $1,000 per month in living expenses.

The Yellow Ribbon Program can also help qualified veterans attend institutions of higher education as part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Community for Accredited Online Schools contains an expansive section dedicated to veterans. This includes information about academic benefits in each state, financial aid and scholarships, help selecting a school and more.      

Financial Management

The Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Counseling Service assists qualified veterans and their beneficiaries with financial planning and online will preparation at no cost.  

The Department of Veterans Affairs Fiduciary Program utilizes fiduciaries – typically chosen by the beneficiary – to help veterans who are unable to manage their financial affairs due to injury, disease, illness or age.  

Family members or friends will usually serve as fiduciaries, but the VA will looks for qualified individuals or organizations when friends and family aren’t able to perform the required duties.

Health Care

Many veterans are eligible for health care benefits through the VA, which has more than 1,200 facilities across the U.S. and consistently ranks among the nation’s leading providers of care.

TRICARE also provides comprehensive health care insurance to many veterans and their families all around the world.

Resource guides

Our resource guides provide helpful information and assistance for a range of topics such as prescription drug costs, alcohol abuse, fall prevention, senior hunger and more.

State Resources for Veterans