The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a good place to find available services for vets who have a disability because of their military service. Vets can learn about the eligibility requirements and what types of benefits they can receive.
Vets can also contact the various organizations that offer vital services.
Here are six resources for disabled veterans:
1. Transportation — Vans operated by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) take injured and ill veterans to VA medical facilities for free. The program is available around the country. DAV and the Ford Motor Company purchased more than 3,000 vehicles and donated them to the VA for free transportation to vets.
2. Education on wheels — The DAV has a mobile service offices (MSO) program that travels to small towns and rural communities to counsel and educate vets and their families on available benefits and services. It helps with claims and bringing benefits to disabled veterans.
3. Housing assistance — Many veterans experience homelessness because of their disabilities. The VA works with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the HUD-VASH program that provides rental assistance for vets eligible for VA healthcare services.
4. Next Step Service Dogs — NSSD is a nonprofit organization that provides trained service dogs to vets with invisible disabilities, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury. There is an application fee, but training programs for the dogs are at no charge for vets. The service dogs offer vets help, balance support, safety, and even things such as turning on lights.
5. Wings for Warriors — The organization has resources for wounded vets to help them through the recovery process. Vets can find guidance and counseling to help secure healthcare and financial benefits. Family members may receive financial assistance to travel to medical facilities to visit their loved ones.
6. Veterans Crisis Line — Disabled veterans going through emotional stress can talk on the phone or chat online with trained people, many of them vets themselves. They help vets and their families take on the challenges veterans face. There are even text-messaging services.