Resources for Veterans

If you are a servicemember or veteran in need of legal help, please contact an armed forces legal assistance office. A list of offices is available at the Armed Forces Legal Assistance Locator Web Site. Members of the California National Guard may contact the Legal Support Command. Let these offices know of your veteran or military status, which may entitle you to certain rights and protections.  Learn how to the declare your status with the courts.

If you are not eligible for armed forces legal assistance, go to our page on Finding an Attorney for information on how to find a lawyer or a legal aid organization. Additional resources can be found at the State Bar of California or at LawHelpCA.org.


Legal Issues

  • Veterans Legal Institute: Provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless and low-income current and former service members so as to eradicate barriers to housing, education, employment and healthcare and foster self-sufficiency.
  • California Public Defenders: By county
  • Veterans Justice Outreach: The aim of the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) program is to avoid the unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and extended incarceration among Veterans by ensuring that eligible, justice-involved Veterans have timely access to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services, as clinically indicated. VJO specialists provide direct outreach, assessment and case management for justice-involved Veterans in local courts and jails and liaison with local justice system partners. The VJO cannot provide legal services, but you can contact a VJO specialist who may know of community legal assistance resources.

Housing Issues

 

Consumer, Financial, Business

  • CA Attorney General’s Military Consumer Protection: Investigates and prosecutes businesses that engage in deceptive practices targeting members of the armed forces, their families, and our veterans.
  • Military Consumer: A joint initiative to empower active duty and retired servicemembers, military families, veterans and civilians in the military community. Use their free resources as the first line of defense against fraud and make better-informed decisions when managing your money.
  • Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services: To promote self-reliance for California's disabled veterans by offering veterans the opportunity to gain experience in business,
  • U.S.Vets: The successful transition of military veterans and their families through the provision of housing, counseling, career development and comprehensive support.
  • Veterans Legal Institute: Provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless and low-income current and former service members so as to eradicate barriers to housing, education, employment and healthcare and foster self-sufficiency, including assistance in starting small businesses.

Other Resources:

  • Cal Vet: California Department of Veterans Affairs
  • California Association of Collaborative Courts (CACC) Veterans Resource Center
  • VA Locations in California: This list includes Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and Veterans Affairs Central Offices
  • 1-877-WAR VETS (1-877-927-8387) is an around the clock confidential call center where combat veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life.
  • County Veterans Services Officers: Veteran Service Officers [VSOs] will help you write or submit your benefits claims to the VA. Their services are free. They will help you gather information that supports your claim. Once the claim is filed, they will help you track the claim through the system. They can also help you file appeals for denied claims

Caregiver Issues: