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 New York 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.
• This guide is for every veteran and family: women veterans, Guard and Reserve members, older veterans, veterans with disabilities, LGBTQ+ veterans, and spouses, children and survivors. If something is for one group, we say so.
• 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 New York State Veterans Benefits 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 New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) has Veterans Benefits Advisors, all veterans themselves, who walk you through New York's programs and will prepare and file your VA claim for you, at no cost.

• Call 888.838.7697 to talk with an advisor, or book a phone or video appointment online. You can also find an office near you on the DVS site.
• DVS Mobile Outreach Vans come to events across New York, and you can get the same help there as in an office.
• Every county also has a veteran service agency that helps at no cost. The county list later in this guide has some of them.
• VA's main information line, MyVA411, is open 24/7 at 800.698.2411.
• Beware of anyone who charges you to file a claim. DVS charges nothing.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://veterans.ny.gov/

What kinds of VA claims can I ask about?

Here's a short version of the main types. An advisor can tell you which fit you.

• Disability compensation. This is for a health condition connected to your service, and it can mean a monthly payment. VA may send you to an exam to confirm the condition.
• Veterans pension. For veterans who served during a period of war, with income and assets under VA's limits.
• 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.
• PACT Act. If you were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange or other toxins, you may qualify for care and benefits. Ask an advisor.
• Discharge upgrade. DVS can help you learn about asking for a discharge upgrade.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://veterans.ny.gov/ and https://www.va.gov/disability/

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 New York State Veterans Benefits 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/

New York also has the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program, with at no cost, private peer support from fellow veterans for veterans, service members and families, in many counties. In New York City, the NYC Department of Veterans' Services runs the PFC Dwyer Veterans' Support Program.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.josephpdwyerpeerproject.org/ and https://www.nyc.gov/site/veterans/community/Dwyer-peer-to-peer-program.page

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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 Career Center 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 and training. New York's Veterans Tuition Award, from HESC, helps pay tuition at SUNY, CUNY, private colleges and approved vocational schools in New York, up to the cost of SUNY undergraduate tuition. It's for veterans with at least four years of active duty, or who served in combat or in the combat theaters of Vietnam, the Persian Gulf or Afghanistan, who were not dishonorably discharged and have lived in New York for 12 months in a row. There's no income limit, and part time study counts.
• To apply for college, file the FAFSA and TAP first, then the Veterans Tuition Award application. Questions? Call HESC at 888.697.4372.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://hesc.ny.gov/vta

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

New York State

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

New York City (all five boroughs)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Suffolk County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Westchester County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Erie County (Buffalo)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Monroe County (Rochester)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Onondaga County (Syracuse)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Albany 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