Veterans in Ohio

17 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 Ohio

Ohio has dedicated Domestic Relations Courts and Juvenile Courts (which handle paternity and unmarried-parent custody) in most counties. The Office of Child Support operates under JFS. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Akron anchor the major metros. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Community Legal Aid cover the state.

17 Resources

1. Ohio Department of Veterans Services — Free

State agency coordinating veteran benefits for Ohio veterans including the Ohio Veterans Bonus payment, education assistance, employment services, healthcare navigation, home loan programs, and the Ohio Veterans Homes for elderly veterans. Call 877-644-6838 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit dvs.ohio.gov. Located at 77 S High St, 7th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Bring DD-214 and VA correspondence when seeking assistance with benefits claims or state program applications.

877-644-6838 · 77 S High St, 7th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center — Free

Full-service VA medical center in Cleveland providing inpatient, outpatient, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and 24/7 emergency care for veterans in northeast Ohio. Call 216-791-3800 to schedule appointments or for emergency care. Located at 10701 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106. Bring your DD-214 and VA enrollment card. Community-based outpatient clinics available in Lorain, Painesville, and other areas.

216-791-3800 · 10701 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106 · 24/7 emergency; clinics Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Cincinnati VA Medical Center — Free

Full-service VA medical center serving veterans in southwest Ohio and the Cincinnati area with primary care, specialty care, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and 24/7 emergency services. Call 513-861-3100 for appointments or emergency care. Located at 3200 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220. Bring your DD-214 and VA enrollment card. Community-based outpatient clinics available throughout the southwest Ohio region.

513-861-3100 · 3200 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220 · 24/7 emergency; clinics Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

4. Dayton VA Medical Center — Free

Full-service VA medical center in Dayton providing comprehensive healthcare for veterans including primary care, specialty care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and 24/7 emergency services. Call 937-268-6511 for appointments or emergency care. Located at 4100 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45428. Bring VA enrollment card and photo ID. Community-based outpatient clinics serve veterans throughout the surrounding southwest and central Ohio region.

937-268-6511 · 4100 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45428 · 24/7 emergency; admin Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Chillicothe VA Medical Center — Free

VA medical center serving south-central and Appalachian Ohio veterans with inpatient, outpatient, and community-based healthcare including primary care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and physical rehabilitation. Call 740-773-1141 for appointments or emergency services. Located at 17273 State Route 104, Chillicothe, OH 45601. Bring DD-214 and VA enrollment card. Community clinics serve the surrounding rural region.

740-773-1141 · 17273 State Route 104, Chillicothe, OH 45601 · 24/7 emergency; clinics Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission — Free

Provides Cleveland-area and Cuyahoga County veterans with emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, food, and medical bills, plus free VA claims filing assistance, transportation to VA appointments, and connections to veteran benefits and services. Call 216-698-2600 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Located at 1849 Prospect Ave, Suite 150, Cleveland. Visit cuyahogavets.org. Bring DD-214 and documentation of your financial need.

216-698-2600 · 1849 Prospect Ave, Suite 150, Cleveland, OH 44115 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

7. Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission — Free

Serves Cincinnati-area and Hamilton County veterans with emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, food, and medical bills, plus free VA claims filing assistance, transportation to VA appointments, and connections to veteran benefits. Call 513-946-3300 Mon-Fri 8am-4pm. Located at 230 E 9th St, Suite 1100, Cincinnati. Visit hcvsc.org. Bring DD-214 and documentation of financial need when applying for emergency assistance.

513-946-3300 · 230 E 9th St, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, OH 45202 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

8. Veterans Crisis Line — Free

Dial 988 then press 1 for free, confidential 24/7 crisis support specifically for veterans, active service members, and their families. Staffed by VA-trained responders who understand military experience. Also text 838255 or chat at veteranscrisisline.net anytime. Connects callers to local VA mental health resources and emergency services when needed. No VA enrollment required. Serves all Ohio veterans regardless of discharge status.

988 (press 1) · National (serves all Ohio veterans) · 24/7 · Visit Website

9. Columbus Vet Center — Free

Free, confidential readjustment counseling for combat veterans and military sexual trauma survivors in the Columbus area. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, marriage and family counseling, and referrals to VA services. No appointment needed for initial contact. Call 614-257-5550 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Located at 30 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215. Bring your DD-214 to confirm combat or MST eligibility.

614-257-5550 · 30 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. VA Columbus Ambulatory Care Center — Paid

VA community-based outpatient facility for Central Ohio veterans providing primary care, mental health counseling, and specialty referral services. Call 614-257-5200 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm to schedule appointments. Located at 420 N James Rd, Columbus, OH 43219. Bring VA enrollment card and photo ID. VA enrollment required — call 877-222-8387 to enroll or visit va.gov to begin enrollment before your first appointment.

614-257-5200 · 420 N James Rd, Columbus, OH 43219 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

11. Toledo VA Clinic — Paid

VA community-based outpatient clinic serving Northwest Ohio and Toledo-area veterans with primary care and mental health services including individual counseling and medication management. Call 419-259-2000 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm to schedule appointments. Located at 1200 S Detroit Ave, Toledo, OH 43614. Bring VA enrollment card and photo ID. VA enrollment is required — call 877-222-8387 to enroll before your first visit.

419-259-2000 · 1200 S Detroit Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

12. American Legion – Ohio — Free

More than 1,000 Ohio American Legion posts providing free VA claims assistance, family support programs, and community service for Ohio veterans and their families. Service officers assist with disability claims, appeals, and benefits questions at no charge. Call 614-228-6961 Mon-Fri 8am-4pm or visit ohiolegion.com to find the nearest Ohio post. Bring DD-214 and any VA correspondence to your claims appointment.

614-228-6961 · 60 Big Run Rd, Delaware, OH 43015 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

13. VFW – Ohio — Free

Veterans of Foreign Wars posts located across Ohio providing camaraderie, free VA claims assistance, legislative advocacy, and community support for combat veterans and their families. Service officers help with disability claims, benefits questions, and appeals at no charge. Call 614-221-7868 or visit vfw.org to find your nearest Ohio VFW post. Bring DD-214 and VA correspondence to any claims assistance appointment.

614-221-7868 · 1105 Schrock Rd, Suite 510, Columbus, OH 43229 · Varies by post

14. DAV – Ohio — Free

Disabled American Veterans providing free VA claims assistance, disability benefits counseling, and transportation to VA medical appointments for Ohio veterans and their families. DAV service officers are accredited VA claims agents who work at no cost. Call 877-426-2838 or visit dav.org to find Ohio chapter contacts and DAV service offices. Bring DD-214 and all medical records related to service-connected conditions.

877-426-2838 · Multiple OH chapters · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

15. Franklin County Veterans Service Commission — Free

Provides Columbus-area and Franklin County veterans with emergency financial aid for rent, utilities, and medical bills, plus free VA claims filing assistance, appeals support, and transportation to VA medical appointments. Call 614-525-2500 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Located at 280 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215. Bring DD-214, proof of veteran status, and documentation of your financial need when applying for emergency assistance.

614-525-2500 · 280 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

16. Summit County Veterans Service Commission (Akron) — Free

Serves Akron-area and Summit County veterans with emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and medical expenses, plus free VA claims filing assistance and transportation to VA medical appointments. Call 330-643-2830 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Located at 1060 E Waterloo Rd, Akron, OH 44306. Visit co.summit.oh.us for more information. Bring DD-214 and documentation of your financial need when applying for assistance.

330-643-2830 · 1060 E Waterloo Rd, Akron, OH 44306 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

17. VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans — Free

24/7 national hotline connecting homeless or at-risk Ohio veterans to emergency shelter placements, HUD-VASH housing vouchers, transitional housing programs, and crisis support services. Call 877-424-3838 anytime. No VA enrollment required to call. Operators connect veterans to local Ohio VA homeless programs and community partners. Visit va.gov/homeless for additional resources on veteran housing assistance programs statewide.

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.