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 Ohio 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 who is homeless or at risk, you can call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877.424.3838 (1.877.4AID.VET), 24/7, or chat online. A trained VA counselor will ask a few questions, help you find housing support or VA services near you, and connect you with local VA staff if you need ongoing help.

VA homeless programs include:

• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), for veteran families who are homeless or at risk.
• HUD VASH, permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans, from HUD and VA.

Sources: https://www.va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter.asp and https://www.va.gov/homeless/

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) also says officers at all 88 County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs) in Ohio can help with guidance and information about homelessness. You can also call or visit your local VA Medical Center.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/67Mw4WlLQFRKFRlJmaNMbT

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Don't have your DD 214?

Don't let missing papers stop you from calling. Tell them what you have. Your County Veterans Service Office can help you ask for 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 receive 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 with VA Form 10 10EZ, or in person at a VA medical center.
• Apply by phone at 877.222.8387, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern.

Sources: https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/ and https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/

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?

Every one of Ohio's 88 counties has a County Veterans Service Office. ODVS has a searchable map of all 88 offices, with each office's address, phone and website.

• Click your county on the ODVS map to learn what your county office provides and how to reach it.
• ODVS says the 88 County Veterans Service Offices also give short term financial assistance to veterans and their families. The amount and type of help depends on each county.
• You can reach ODVS at 614.644.0898.
• VA's main information line, MyVA411, is open 24/7 at 800.698.2411.
• Never pay anyone to help you apply for benefits you earned.

Sources: https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/3ukByzO8ukrrVehLYgpUeE and https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/Lmp7DQePE9FqRmUwnV9FW and https://dvs.ohio.gov/ and https://www.va.gov/homeless/

What kinds of help can veterans get?

Here's a short version of the main VA benefits, plus Ohio help.

• Disability compensation. VA says this is a monthly tax no cost payment for veterans who got sick or injured while serving, or whose condition got worse because of service.
• Intent to file. VA says telling it you plan to file sets a possible start date for your benefits, so you may get paid back to that date if your claim is approved.
• Veterans pension. VA says this is for wartime veterans and survivors with limited or no income who meet certain age or disability requirements.
• Turned down before? You can file a Supplemental Claim if you have new and relevant evidence.

Sources: https://www.va.gov/disability/ and https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/ and https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/supplemental-claim/ and https://www.va.gov/pension/

Ohio help

• County emergency help. ODVS says CVSOs give short term financial assistance. Rules and amounts are set by each county, so call yours.
• Veteran ID card. ODVS says most Ohio counties offer a no cost Veteran ID card, through the County Recorder's Office or the CVSO, to veterans who record their DD 214 and weren't dishonorably discharged. Bring two forms of current, valid ID, like a birth certificate, Social Security card, driver's license or passport.
• The Ohio Veterans Bonus has ended. ODVS says applications are no longer accepted.

Sources: https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/Lmp7DQePE9FqRmUwnV9FW and https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/3fdyN2LnTDLOyARz8BnHT3 and https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/2hDhyOjvT85QbknKs7Ob3c

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

ODVS also keeps discharge papers from the early to mid 1990s to now for veterans who enlisted from Ohio and asked for a copy to go to the state, plus wartime bonus records from before 1993. The veteran must fill out and sign the ODVS request form, then mail or fax it. Questions? Call the records office at 877.644.6838 (877.OHIOVET). ODVS says you can also request records from your County Veterans Service Office.

Sources: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records and https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/2uV53KW2iUOLwUmG4DQL5D and https://dvs.ohio.gov/what-we-do

Where can I get help if I'm struggling?

The Veterans Crisis Line is at no cost, confidential and open 24/7, for veterans and their loved ones. Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.

• VA medical centers also offer mental health care. The county list later in this guide has mental health numbers for some VA centers.

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

In Ohio, you can also call or text 988 for crisis support, day or night. See Guide 7 for more mental health help.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://988lifeline.org/

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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?

• Legal help. ODVS's Legal Assistance page links to Ohio Legal Help, military legal assistance and Ohio Veterans' Courts, and covers military employment issues, domestic issues, wills and consumer problems.
• Veterans' Courts. ODVS says Ohio's veterans treatment dockets focus on treatment and diversion rather than punishment.
• Jobs. OhioMeansJobs centers in every county help with job searches and training. See Guide 6.
• See Guide 13 for more no cost legal help near you.

Sources: https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/33E7TJSoIo44FyWFCVDeXc and https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/3EPunRh6AEEPzfGLJkeSrS

Sources: https://www.va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter.asp and https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/ and https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/ and https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ and https://dvs.ohio.gov/page/Lmp7DQePE9FqRmUwnV9FW

Who can I call in my county?

Here are County Veterans Service Offices and VA medical centers near you. Call ahead, since hours and services change.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Ohio

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Franklin County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Cuyahoga County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hamilton County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Summit County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Montgomery County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lucas County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Butler County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Stark County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lorain County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Warren County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lake County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Mahoning 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 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