Find official routes for benefits help, civilian work, education and housing stability. Start with the need that fits your situation.
Nationwide information · Local services and individual eligibility vary.
These are information guides, not confirmed local openings or FTC-operated services. Your location carries into the directory; it does not change the national guidance below.
Find accredited help with VA benefits
Use VA's official route to find a representative for a benefit claim or decision review.
What it may help with
An accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative, attorney or claims agent can help with VA claims. Accredited VSO assistance with VA benefit claims is free.
Limits and conditions
Accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge fees. Contact a representative to confirm accreditation, availability and terms. This information does not establish eligibility or an appointment.
Questions to ask before you act
Use VA's search tool to check the representative's accreditation. Are they accepting people with my type of claim?
What services will you provide, are there fees, and what appointment form would I need?
If I already have a representative, what would appointing someone new change?
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) offers a VA assessment route for people whose service-connected disability affects work.
What it may help with
Depending on the person's needs and VA's determination, services may include employment planning, job training, help finding or keeping work, education or independent-living support.
Limits and conditions
Eligibility to apply is separate from entitlement to services. A VA vocational rehabilitation counselor determines entitlement and the appropriate plan. Service history, disability and discharge date can affect the rules; a selected course, business funding or job is not guaranteed.
Questions to ask before you act
Ask VA whether I can apply for a VR&E evaluation and which records the counselor needs.
Which employment or independent-living track fits my goal, and what services could be included in an approved plan?
Before choosing another education benefit, what should I understand about entitlement and the order in which I use benefits?
Check Post-9/11 GI Bill school and training benefits
Qualifying service may support education and job-training benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
What it may help with
VA's guidance covers support for approved education and training, with different rules for tuition, fees and other expenses.
Limits and conditions
Some periods of service do not qualify. Personal entitlement, benefit percentage, the exact approved program and enrollment circumstances affect coverage. A school's approval does not establish approval of every course or full coverage of costs.
Questions to ask before you act
Ask VA to confirm my eligibility, remaining entitlement and any applicable time limit before I rely on benefits.
Ask the school's certifying official: Is this exact program approved, and how will my enrollment format and schedule affect coverage?
What tuition, fees, materials and living costs would remain my responsibility, and when should I expect bills and benefit payments?
VA Chapter 35 — Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance
Explore education benefits for eligible spouses and children
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is a separate education-benefit route for certain spouses and children.
What it may help with
Eligible family members may receive education or training assistance following a qualifying Veteran or service-member disability, death, capture or missing-in-action status.
Limits and conditions
Both the family member and Veteran or service member must meet the applicable requirements. Relationship, qualifying event, dates, other benefits and benefit elections matter. Time limits vary, and some elections cannot be changed.
Questions to ask before you act
Ask VA which family-member eligibility category, qualifying event and time limit apply to me.
Before choosing DEA or another benefit, how would that choice affect my other benefits, and can the choice be changed?
Ask the school's certifying official whether this exact program is approved and what application and enrollment-verification steps apply.
American Job Centers connect Veterans and transitioning service members with career planning, job-search and training resources.
What it may help with
Veterans and legally eligible spouses have priority of service in covered Department of Labor-funded employment and training programs.
Limits and conditions
Priority concerns access to covered services and resources. Local screening, program requirements and available services still matter. This listing does not confirm a job, training award, immediate appointment or eligible-spouse status.
Questions to ask before you act
Find my local American Job Center through DOL's official route and ask how to begin an employment or training assessment.
How does Veteran or eligible-spouse priority apply to the services I want, and what status information do you need?
Which local training and supportive services can I be assessed for, and what approval is needed before I spend money?
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) is a housing-stability route for low-income Veteran families experiencing homelessness or imminent housing loss.
What it may help with
Local SSVF organizations provide homelessness-prevention and rapid-rehousing services intended to help eligible Veteran families secure and retain permanent housing.
Limits and conditions
A local provider must screen the household and confirm its service area and available assistance. A provider listing does not confirm current openings, a particular payment or housing placement.
Questions to ask before you act
Use VA's SSVF provider-list link to find an organization serving my area. Can you screen my household for prevention or rehousing assistance?
What information do you need, what services are available now, and what is the next intake step?
If your program cannot assist, which local housing-stability route should I contact next?
