Veterans

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Thank you for your service. Whatever you're facing right now, a housing problem, a health need, or a rough patch, you earned support, and there are people in Texas whose whole job is helping veterans like you.

Here is the easy first step: if you don't have a stable place to live, or think you might lose it soon, call the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877.424.3838. It's at no cost and open 24/7.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise benefits, housing or a spot in any program.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.
• In danger right now? Call 911. In crisis? Dial 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255.

What if I'm a veteran without a place to live?

VA says that if you're a veteran without stable housing, or you think you might lose your housing soon, VA can help. Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877.424.3838 (877.4AID.VET), any time, day or night.

You can also chat with VA online.

VA homeless programs include:

• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). VA says SSVF grants provide housing stability services to low income veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
• HUD VASH. A program from HUD and VA that pairs rental vouchers with VA case management.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter.asp

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Don't have your DD 214?

Don't let missing papers stop you from calling. Tell them what you have. A Texas Veterans Commission advisor or county veteran service officer can help you request your records. Easy peasy!

How do I get VA health care?

VA says you may be eligible for VA health care if you served in the active military, naval or air service and didn't get a dishonorable discharge. If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, VA says you generally must have served 24 continuous months or the full period you were called to active duty, though some exceptions apply.

• Apply online at va.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center.
• Apply by phone at 877.222.8387, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/

You stood up for all of us. Now let us stand with you. Asking for help is part of the mission, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Who can help me with VA benefits at no cost?

The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) helps veterans, families and survivors file VA disability, pension and survivor claims, and appeals, at no cost. TVC says its benefits advisors are veterans themselves, with offices across Texas, many inside VA facilities.

• Call the TVC call center at 800.252.8387 to book an in office or phone appointment.
• Many Texas counties also have a Veteran County Service Office that works with TVC and helps at no cost. Your county office may be in the list later in this guide.
• TVC says a key first step is filing an Intent to File, VA Form 21 0966, which sets your claim date with VA.
• VA's main information line, MyVA411, is open 24/7 at 800.698.2411.
• Beware of anyone who charges you to file a claim. TVC charges nothing.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://tvc.texas.gov/claims/

What kinds of VA claims can TVC help with?

TVC's claims page explains the main types in plain terms. Here's a short version.

• Disability compensation. This is for a health condition connected to your service, and it can mean a monthly payment. TVC says it helps to have a diagnosis from a licensed provider and your medical records. VA may send you to an exam to confirm the condition.
• Veterans pension. For veterans who served during a period of war. It's based on income and assets for you and your household, and some costs, especially medical costs, can be subtracted from income. Be open about everything when you apply.
• Survivor benefits. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation can help a surviving spouse when a veteran's death was connected to service. A survivors pension may help if the veteran served in wartime and income is under VA's limit.
• Turned down before? To reopen a denied claim, TVC says you need evidence that is new, not a repeat of what VA already saw.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://tvc.texas.gov/claims/

How do I get my discharge papers back?

If you lost your DD 214, you can request a copy of your military records from the National Archives. A Texas Veterans Commission advisor or county veteran service officer can help you ask for them.

Have your full name used in service, your service number or Social Security number, branch, and dates of service ready.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

Where can I get help if I'm struggling?

The Veterans Crisis Line is at no cost, private and open 24/7. Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call. Family members and friends can call, too.

• VA medical centers also offer mental health care. Ask your VA about walk in care.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Texas also has the Military Veteran Peer Network, run by TVC with local mental health authorities. Trained peer coordinators, many of them veterans or military family, offer peer to peer support and warm handoffs to local help for any service member, veteran or family member. You can search TVC's directory by county or ZIP to find your coordinator.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://tvc.texas.gov/mental-health/military-veteran-peer-network/

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Tell them you served

When you call 211, a shelter or a food bank, mention that you're a veteran. Some places have extra help just for veterans. It never hurts to ask!

Where can I find work or legal help as a veteran?

• Jobs. Your local Workforce Solutions office can help, so mention that you served. See Guide 6.
• Legal help. Some legal aid groups have projects just for veterans. Ask when you call. See Guide 13 for no cost legal help near you.
• College. The Hazlewood Act is a Texas benefit that gives qualified veterans up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fees, at Texas public colleges and universities. It does not cover living costs, books or supplies. TVC lists the main rules: you lived in Texas or entered service in Texas, served more than 180 days of active duty not counting initial training, got an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge, and live in Texas now. Your college makes the final call. You may be able to share unused hours with a child.
• To apply, get accepted at a Texas public college, register for a Hazlewood account on TVC's site, and send the application with your DD 214 to the college.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Texas

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Harris County (Houston)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Dallas County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Tarrant County (Fort Worth)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Bexar County (San Antonio)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Travis County (Austin)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Collin County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Denton County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hidalgo County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

El Paso County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Fort Bend County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My veteran plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Thank you again for your service. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 16, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 16, 2026