Veterans Affairs Resources

Veterans Affairs Resources and Information

Veterans Affairs Resources and Information


Veterans Affairs is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance. The VA also provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.


Every veteran coming into the NYC area should visit the VA Regional Office to confirm their eligibility and update any information that otherwise might not be available including submitting an ‘Intent to File’ for any claims for VA Disability or other VA – related programs.


The veteran should make a conscious effort to keep engaged with the VA while in the shelter system. It’s best to know keep appointments with their primary care provider (PCP) and make that connection between the old team and the new team. Follow up with mental health and be assigned a care provider. 


Whether the veteran is just getting out of the service or they’ve been a civilian for years now, the Veterans Affairs Welcome Kit can help guide them to the benefits and services they’ve earned.

Important Veterans Affairs Phone Numbers

Veterans Affairs Benefits

Debt Management Center               

Education (GI Bill, Chapter 35)       

Health Care                                       
Homeless Veterans                                                  

1-800-827-1000

1-800-827-0648

1-888-442-4551

1-877-222-8387
1-877-424-3838                                 

Pension Management Center         

Veterans Crisis Line                         

Home Loans                                     

Vet. Readiness & Employment       

1-877-294-6380

1-800-273-8255

1-888-827-3702

1-212-807-3008

    Requesting Your DD - 214


    You can request your military service records to get information like this:

    • Your character of discharge (from your DD214 or other separation documents)
    • Your duty stations and assignments
    • Your medals and decorations (awards)
    • Your qualifications, licenses, and certificates

    Forms, Applications, and Portals


    For help filing a claim or appeal, the veteran may want to work with an accredited attorney, a claims agent, or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). These professionals are trained and certified in the VA claims and appeals processes. Accredited representatives and VSOs need to meet certain requirements. 

    • Recognized organizations and individuals can legally represent a Veteran, service member, dependent, or survivor before VA. 
    • Non-recognized organizations and individuals can provide information, but can’t be representatives.

    Veterans Affairs Regional Offices


    Veterans Affairs is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance. The VA also provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.

    Veteran Service Officers


    VSO's  work on behalf of Veterans and service members—as well as their dependents and survivors. Accredited representatives and VSOs can help the veteran understand and apply for VA benefits, like these:

    • VA Disability Claims
    • Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
    • Home loans
    • Life insurance
    • Health care

    Department of Veteran Services


    JOSEPH P. DWYER VETERANS PEER SUPPORT PROJECT

    Named to honor the memory of an Iraq war Untitledhero from Mount Sinai, NY, the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Project is a peer-to-peer program for Veterans facing the challenges of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

    Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Programs


    Supportive Services for Veteran Families grants have been awarded to selected private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that will assist very low-income Veteran families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing. Grantees will provide a range of supportive services to eligible Veteran families that are designed to promote housing stability. Not all SSVF programs serve only VA - Veterans and also serve the communities at large.

    Vet Centers


    Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional counseling to eligible Veterans, service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families.

    Counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military.

    Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are Veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma.
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