What do I do in a crisis?

Dial 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Text 838255. Chat at veteranscrisisline.net. Staffed 24/7 by veterans. Also visit any VA emergency department — you'll be seen regardless of enrollment status.

I'm not enrolled with the VA — can I still get help?

Yes. Visit any VA medical center to enroll. Most veterans with an honorable or general discharge qualify for free or low-cost care. Combat veterans within 10 years of separation get enhanced eligibility. Bring your DD-214.

Can the VA help with custody cases?

The VA doesn't provide attorneys for family law, but many state bar associations run free Veteran Legal Clinics. The VA Caregiver Support Program and Vet Centers provide counseling, and Veteran Treatment Courts exist in many jurisdictions for justice-involved vets.

A Veterans Service Organization (American Legion, VFW, DAV, state VSO) helps veterans file disability compensation claims, pension claims, and appeals for free. They're accredited by the VA and often get better outcomes than self-filed claims. Always use a VSO before paying for a claims agent.

Veterans in California

18 verified resources.

About Veterans for Fathers

Veteran fathers have access to a parallel system of benefits and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Healthcare is provided through VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics; mental health services including PTSD, depression, and family therapy are covered. The VA Crisis Line (dial 988, press 1) is staffed 24/7 by veterans for veterans. Disability compensation, GI Bill education benefits, VA home loans, and vocational rehabilitation are administered through regional VA offices. State-level Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) — the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and state VSO offices — help veterans file benefit claims for free. For family law matters, the VA doesn't provide attorneys, but many state bar associations have veteran legal clinics. This directory includes the VA Crisis Line, regional VA centers, state VSOs, and veteran-specific legal and housing services.

Veterans in California

California handles custody in superior courts across all 58 counties. The Department of Child Support Services runs enforcement through local child support agencies (LCSAs) in every county. Los Angeles County operates the largest family court system in the US. Major metros include LA, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento. LA County's LAFLA, Bay Area Legal Aid, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego are the largest legal aid programs.

18 Resources

1. CalVet — California Department of Veterans Affairs — Free

State agency providing benefits, services, and programs for California's 1.6 million veterans. Services include CalVet home loans, college fee waivers, veterans homes, claims assistance, and employment programs. County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs) in every county provide free VA claims assistance. Call 1-844-698-2387 or visit calvet.ca.gov to connect with your local CVSO and explore state benefits.

1-844-698-2387 · 1227 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

2. Veterans Crisis Line — Free

Free, confidential 24/7 crisis support for veterans, active service members, National Guard, Reservists, and their families. Dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net. No VA enrollment required to call. Responders are specially trained in military culture and veteran-specific mental health issues. A lifeline for veterans in crisis — do not hesitate to call.

988 (press 1) · 24/7/365 · Visit Website

3. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System — Paid

One of the largest VA healthcare systems in the nation serving veterans across LA, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. West Los Angeles campus plus 8 community-based outpatient clinics throughout the region. Full medical, mental health, and specialty care. Call (310) 478-3711 for appointments. ER available 24/7. Must be enrolled in VA healthcare — visit va.gov or call to apply for enrollment.

(310) 478-3711 · 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073 · 24/7 urgent care; clinic hours vary · Visit Website

4. San Francisco VA Health Care System — Paid

Full-service VA medical center serving Bay Area veterans with comprehensive medical, surgical, mental health, and specialty care. Multiple community-based outpatient clinics in San Jose, Eureka, Ukiah, and other locations. Call (415) 221-4810 for appointments. ER available 24/7 at the Clement Street campus. Enroll in VA healthcare at va.gov. Serves veterans in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, and nearby counties.

(415) 221-4810 · 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94121 · 24/7 urgent care; clinic hours vary · Visit Website

5. VA San Diego Healthcare System — Paid

Large VA medical center serving veterans throughout San Diego and Imperial counties. Offers medical, surgical, mental health, PTSD treatment, and specialty services. Multiple outpatient clinics in Mission Valley, Chula Vista, Escondido, and Oceanside. Call (858) 552-8585 for appointments. ER open 24/7. Must be VA-enrolled — call or visit va.gov to apply. Serves veterans from the Mexican border north to Camp Pendleton.

(858) 552-8585 · 3350 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92161 · 24/7 urgent care; clinic hours vary · Visit Website

6. VA Sacramento — Northern California HCS — Paid

VA Northern California Health Care System serving veterans in Sacramento and 26 surrounding counties. Main hospital in Mather, CA with community outpatient clinics in Sacramento, Chico, Redding, Yreka, and other locations. Call (800) 382-8387 for appointments. ER open 24/7 at the Mather campus. Enroll in VA healthcare at va.gov. Serves one of the largest VA catchment areas in the western United States.

(800) 382-8387 · 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655 · 24/7 urgent care; clinic hours vary · Visit Website

7. VA Vet Centers — California — Free

Community-based readjustment counseling for combat veterans and military sexual trauma survivors. Free individual and group counseling, employment assistance, and family counseling at 14 Vet Centers in California including LA, San Diego, SF, Sacramento, and Fresno. Call 1-877-927-8387 or visit va.gov to find your nearest center. No VA enrollment required — walk in during business hours.

1-877-927-8387 · Multiple CA locations · Mon-Fri 8-4:30 (evening/weekend by appt at many) · Visit Website

8. DAV (Disabled American Veterans) — California — Free

Nonprofit providing free lifetime membership, benefits claims assistance, and transportation to VA appointments for disabled veterans in California. 80+ chapters statewide. National Service Officers help file VA disability claims at no charge. Call (213) 253-7474 or visit dav.org to find your nearest California chapter. Also provides emergency financial assistance for veterans in critical need.

(213) 253-7474 · 1352 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 · Mon-Fri 8-4 · Visit Website

9. Veterans Legal Institute — California — Free

Free civil legal services exclusively for veterans in Southern California. Assists with housing stability, VA benefits appeals, family law matters, and discharge upgrades. Clinics at VA Greater LA and community locations. Helped 10,000+ veterans. Call (714) 265-1400 or email info@veteranslegalinstitute.org. Located in Santa Ana. Serves veterans throughout LA, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

(714) 265-1400 · 5 Hutton Centre Dr., Suite 300, Santa Ana, CA 92707 · Mon-Fri 9-5

10. New Directions for Veterans — LA — Free

Comprehensive services for homeless and at-risk veterans in Los Angeles including transitional housing, substance use treatment, employment services, and mental health care. Located near the West LA VA campus on Exposition Blvd. Call (310) 914-4114 or email info@newdirectionsinc.org. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Provides a full continuum of care from street outreach to permanent housing placement for LA-area veterans.

(310) 914-4114 · 11304 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 · Mon-Fri 8-5

11. VA Loma Linda Healthcare System — Paid

VA medical center serving Inland Empire veterans in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Provides primary care, mental health services, specialty care, and 24/7 emergency care. Call (909) 825-7084 for appointments. Located in Loma Linda on Benton Street. Outpatient clinics in Rancho Cucamonga, Corona, Victorville, and Palm Desert. Must be enrolled in VA healthcare to receive services — call or visit va.gov to enroll.

(909) 825-7084 · 11201 Benton St., Loma Linda, CA 92357 · ER 24/7; outpatient Mon-Fri 8-4:30 · Visit Website

12. VA Palo Alto Health Care System — Paid

Major VA medical center serving veterans in the South Bay and Central Coast region. Three campuses in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Livermore with community outpatient clinics in San Jose, Capitola, Modesto, Stockton, and Fremont. Call (650) 493-5000 for appointments. ER open 24/7 at the Palo Alto campus. Outpatient clinics open Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm. Enroll in VA healthcare at va.gov or call to begin.

(650) 493-5000 · 3801 Miranda Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304 · ER 24/7; clinics Mon-Fri 8-4:30 · Visit Website

13. VA Long Beach Healthcare System — Paid

Full-service VA medical center for veterans in Orange County and South LA County. Provides primary care, mental health services, surgery, and specialty care on the 7th Street campus in Long Beach. Call (562) 826-8000 for appointments. ER open 24/7. Community outpatient clinics in Anaheim, Santa Ana, and San Diego. Must be VA-enrolled — visit va.gov to apply. Outpatient clinics open Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm.

(562) 826-8000 · 5901 E. 7th St., Long Beach, CA 90822 · ER 24/7; clinics Mon-Fri 8-4:30 · Visit Website

14. Swords to Plowshares — San Francisco — Free

Leading Bay Area veterans rights organization providing free legal services, employment assistance, housing navigation, and mental health referrals for low-income and homeless veterans. Call (415) 252-4788 or visit swords-to-plowshares.org. Located near City Hall in San Francisco. Attorneys handle VA benefits appeals, discharge upgrades, and family law matters. No income limit for legal consultations. Walk-in welcome during business hours.

(415) 252-4788 · 401 Van Ness Ave., Suite 313, San Francisco, CA 94102 · Mon-Fri 9-5 · Visit Website

15. American Legion — California — Free

Largest veterans service organization with 700+ California posts. Free VA claims assistance, family support programs, community service projects, and camaraderie for veterans. Service Officers help file disability claims at no charge. Call (415) 431-2400 or visit calegion.org to find your nearest post. Posts also offer emergency financial assistance for veterans in crisis and scholarships for dependents.

(415) 431-2400 · 117 Veterans War Memorial Bldg., 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102 · Mon-Fri 8-4:30 · Visit Website

16. VFW — California — Free

Veterans of Foreign Wars posts across California providing camaraderie, free VA claims assistance, emergency financial grants, and community support for combat veterans and their families. Visit vfwca.org to find your nearest California post. VFW Service Officers help with disability claims, pension applications, and appeals at no charge. Posts also run local community programs and emergency relief funds for veterans in need.

Statewide posts · Varies by post · Visit Website

17. CalVet County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) — Free

Free accredited VA claims assistance available in all 58 California counties through CalVet County Veterans Service Officers. CVSOs help veterans file disability compensation claims, pension applications, healthcare enrollment, and education benefit requests at no charge. Call 1-844-698-2387 or visit calvet.ca.gov to find your county CVSO. Accredited officers maximize your claim potential and help navigate the VA system.

1-844-698-2387 · Every CA county · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

18. VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans — Free

24/7 hotline connecting homeless veterans to emergency shelter, HUD-VASH housing vouchers, case management, and support services. No VA enrollment required to call. Dial 1-877-424-3838 anytime. Operators connect callers to their nearest VA healthcare system's homeless veteran outreach team. Available to veterans, service members, and their families experiencing homelessness anywhere in California.

1-877-424-3838 · 24/7/365 · Visit Website

Veterans — Common Questions

What do I do in a crisis?: Dial 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Text 838255. Chat at veteranscrisisline.net. Staffed 24/7 by veterans. Also visit any VA emergency department — you'll be seen regardless of enrollment status.
I'm not enrolled with the VA — can I still get help?: Yes. Visit any VA medical center to enroll. Most veterans with an honorable or general discharge qualify for free or low-cost care. Combat veterans within 10 years of separation get enhanced eligibility. Bring your DD-214.
Can the VA help with custody cases?: The VA doesn't provide attorneys for family law, but many state bar associations run free Veteran Legal Clinics. The VA Caregiver Support Program and Vet Centers provide counseling, and Veteran Treatment Courts exist in many jurisdictions for justice-involved vets.
What does a VSO do?: A Veterans Service Organization (American Legion, VFW, DAV, state VSO) helps veterans file disability compensation claims, pension claims, and appeals for free. They're accredited by the VA and often get better outcomes than self-filed claims. Always use a VSO before paying for a claims agent.