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 California 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 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?

CalVet, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, says County Veterans Service Offices throughout the state help veterans and their families with VA benefits. Call CalVet at 800.952.5626.

• Find your County Veteran Service Office on CalVet's CVSO Locations page at calvet.ca.gov. Your county office may also be in the list later in this guide.
• VA's main information line, MyVA411, is open 24/7 at 800.698.2411.
• Beware of anyone who charges you to file a claim. No cost help is available.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.calvet.ca.gov/veteran-services-benefits/va-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. Your 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/

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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 America's Job Center of California has staff for veterans, so mention that you served. See Guide 6 for your county's job center.
• 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.
• Training. Ask your County Veteran Service Office about education benefits you may have earned.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.calvet.ca.gov/

What state benefits can California veterans and families get?

On top of VA benefits, California has a few of its own. Your County Veterans Service Office can help with each one.

• No cost college tuition for some veteran families. The CalVet College Fee Waiver waives mandatory systemwide tuition and fees at California community colleges, Cal State and UC campuses. It does not cover books, parking or housing. It's for spouses and children of veterans with service connected disabilities or who died from service related causes, and some National Guard families. More on this below.
• Property tax help at 100%. The Board of Equalization says the Disabled Veterans' Exemption lowers property taxes on the home of a veteran rated 100% disabled, or paid at the 100% rate because they can't work. An unmarried surviving spouse may also qualify. Ask your county assessor for form BOE 261 G.
• No cost state parks. California State Parks offers the Distinguished Veteran Pass at no cost. It's a lifetime pass for California residents who are honorably discharged veterans and meet certain requirements, for no cost day use, camping and boating.
• VETERAN on your license or ID. The DMV says to get a Veteran Status Verification Form (VSD 001) from your County Veterans Service Office, then bring it to a DMV field office with your license or ID application and pay the regular application fee.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://solano.edu/centers/veterans-resource-center/docs/forms/2026-2027%20-%20CalVet%20Fee%20Waiver%20Application%20Packet%2004.15.26.pdf and https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/dv_exemption.htm and https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 and https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/special-interest-driver-guides/veterans-and-active-duty-military/

How does the College Fee Waiver work for my kids?

The College Fee Waiver application (form DVS 40) lists four plans. These are the two most families use:

• Plan A. For the spouse, unmarried child, or unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who is totally disabled from service, or who died from service related causes. The veteran must have served during a period of war or earned a campaign or expeditionary medal. There's no income limit. Children must be under 27, or under 30 if the child is a veteran. You can't use Plan A while getting VA Chapter 35 education benefits.
• Plan B. For the child of a veteran with any service connected disability, or who died from service related causes. There's no age limit, but the student's income plus support from a parent must be under the state poverty level. For the 2026 to 2027 school year, that's $22,941.
• You must reapply every school year. The 2026 to 2027 year covers summer 2026, fall 2026 and spring 2027.
• Apply before school starts. The waiver can only start on the first day of the school year in which your application arrives.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://solano.edu/centers/veterans-resource-center/docs/forms/2026-2027%20-%20CalVet%20Fee%20Waiver%20Application%20Packet%2004.15.26.pdf and https://www.csusm.edu/sfs/fee_waivers/san_diego_county_cvw_instructions_ay_2026_2027.pdf

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Ask about Chapter 35 first

Plan A and VA Chapter 35 can't be used at the same time. Ask your county office which one works better for your family before you choose.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

California

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Los Angeles County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

San Diego County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Orange County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

San Bernardino County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Alameda County (Oakland)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Sacramento County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Fresno County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Riverside County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Santa Clara County (San Jose)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Contra Costa 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. Sources were first checked on October 16, 2026. New sources were added, and every link was checked again on October 18, 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 18, 2026