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 Pennsylvania 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. Your County Director of Veterans Affairs 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?

Every Pennsylvania county has a County Director of Veterans Affairs. The state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) says these directors are accredited veterans service officers who help veterans and their families find out what they qualify for and prepare applications for county, state and federal benefits.

They never charge veterans for their help.

• Your county director's phone number may be in the county list later in this guide. The DMVA keeps a full list for every county.
• PA VETConnect, run by the DMVA, connects veterans and families with resources. Call 800.547.2938 or 717.861.8910.
• The DMVA also says every Pennsylvania veteran should join the no cost PA Veterans Registry to get news about state benefits.
• 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.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pennsylvania-veterans/county-director-of-veterans-affairs

What kinds of help can veterans get?

Here's a short version of the main VA benefits, plus two Pennsylvania programs for hard times.

• 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 some wartime veterans and their survivors, based on income and net worth.
• 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/

Pennsylvania help for hard times

• Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA). The DMVA gives up to $1,600 in a 12 month period to veterans and their beneficiaries who live in Pennsylvania, for food, shelter, fuel and clothing, when an unexpected problem causes a short term money crisis. Apply through your County Director of Veterans Affairs.
• Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP). Grants of up to $5,000 for service members and their families facing unexpected money problems, based on documented need. The grants don't have to be paid back, and the state says processing can take as little as 48 hours.

Sources: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pennsylvania-veterans/pa-vetconnect/state-veterans-programs/financial-assistance/benefits--veterans-temporary-assistance and https://www.pa.gov/services/dmva/apply-for-military-family-relief-assistance

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 Director of Veterans Affairs 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/

In Pennsylvania, your county crisis line can also help, day or night. See Guide 7 for county numbers.

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?

• Jobs. PA CareerLink offers job services for veterans, 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. Ask your County Director of Veterans Affairs about education benefits. The DMVA lists the Education Gratuity Program among the programs county directors can help you apply for.

Sources: https://www.pa.gov/services/dli/explore-job-resources-on-pa-careerlink- and https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pennsylvania-veterans/county-director-of-veterans-affairs

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Pennsylvania

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Philadelphia

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Allegheny County (Pittsburgh)

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.

Bucks County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Delaware County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lancaster County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Chester County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

York County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Berks County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lehigh County (Allentown)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Neighborhood and other counties

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 17, 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 17, 2026