Resources for Veterans and Service Members

If you serve or have served in the military and need legal assistance, this page can help you navigate the network of organizations and services available to you and your family.

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Resources and guides

California Department of Veterans Affairs
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) has information on healthcare, housing, education, employment and benefits.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Provides advice for veterans and service members on protecting their finances and planning their financial future.

eBenefits
This government website affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs helps members with legal assistance in obtaining benefits.

National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is the world’s leading research center providing education, treatment options, and support related to PTSD and traumatic stress for veterans.

National Resource Directory
The National Resource Directory is a database of validated resources that supports recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration for veterans, service members, family members, and caregivers.

Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
SCRA is a program that provides certain protections in lending for active duty service members. 

Swords to Plowshares
Swords to Plowshares is a veterans service organization that provides online guides covering a range of issues important to veterans, including pensions, mental health exams, military records, and benefits.

Veterans Crisis Line
Free and confidential crisis hotline from specially trained and experienced qualified VA responders. Veterans can get support by phone, text, or chat. For more information, visit the Veterans Crisis Line.

Job Training & Apprenticeships
California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE)
Department of Labor
FedsHireVets
Swords to Plowshares
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Legal aid providers

The State Bar funds organizations throughout California who provide legal services for those with low and moderate incomes. The providers linked below focus on legal aid for veterans and service members.

These lists include providers funded by the State Bar as well as others who frequently provide this service. Please see the organization’s notes for more information. The lists are current as of July 2024. 

By County

Los Angeles County

• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
• Veterans Legal Institute
• Los Angeles County Bar Association

Orange County

• Public Law Center
• Veterans Legal Institute

San Diego County

• San Diego County Bar Association
• University of San Diego Veterans Legal Clinic 

San Francisco County

• Bay Area Legal Aid
• Golden Gate University School of Law

By City

Los Angeles

• Inner City Law Center
• Public Counsel–Center for Veterans’ Advancement
• UCLA Law Center

San Francisco

• V-Hub / Bar Association of San Francisco, Justice and Diversity Center

Regional

SF Bay Area

• Swords to Plowshares

Statewide

• California Courts–The Judicial Branch of California
• CalVet Veterans Resource Book
• HERA
• LawHelpCA.org

National

• American Bar Association
• eBenefits–Benefits and Services Assistance
• Department of Veteran Affairs–Veterans Programs and Services
• Justice for Vets
• Chapman University–Military and Veterans Law Institute
• National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, Inc. (NOVA)
• National Veterans Legal Services Program
• Public Counsel–Center for Veterans’ Advancement
• USA.gov

For a complete list of legal aid providers on a broader range of issues, please visit this page. Additional legal resources can be found at LawHelpCA.org.

Additional Resources

Assistance with housing and home loans
Veterans, including the homeless and those who are struggling homeowners, can take advantage of help through state and federal programs. The California Department of Veterans Affairs connects to a range of programs.

Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and surviving spouses
A veteran who is 100 percent disabled or is compensated at the 100 percent rate due to service-connected injury or disease is exempt up to $100,000 ($150,000 for low income) from property tax. More information

Treatment instead of jail time
Veterans whose crimes may be related to sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, or mental health problems from military service may have the option of treatment instead of serving time behind bars.

Veterans Treatment Courts
The Judicial Council maintains a list of Superior Courts in California counties with Veterans Treatment Courts for people facing various charges, from substance abuse to mental illness. These courts help connect veterans to treatment programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and California social service agencies.

Help after a disaster

Veterans or service members impacted by California wildfires or other disasters can find help here. Other state agencies can also help:

• Get help with fire recovery through the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Find a local assistance center that can help people displaced by the fires.
• Agencies that replace lost military records and other documents.