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Veteran benefits & resources.

A deep, curated hub of federal, California, and High Desert benefits, discounts, and organizations, with a focus on the ones most veterans never hear about. We are veteran-owned, and we built this to help our community actually use what they earned.

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Find benefits

Search, or tell us what you need.

Type anything — “PTSD,” “rent help,” “GI Bill,” “DD-214” — or pick a topic and what applies to you, and the list below narrows automatically. This is a starting point, not a final answer — always confirm eligibility on the official link before you apply.

What do you need help with?

What applies to you?

Showing all 177 benefits. Search or pick what applies to you to narrow the list.

Spot a broken link, or know a benefit we’re missing? Tell us and we’ll check it out.

In crisis or just need to talk? Reach the Veterans Crisis Line now.

Free, confidential support, 24/7, for veterans, service members, and their families. You do not have to be enrolled in VA care.

Heads up: Signal & Shield Solutions is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, CalVet, or any organization listed here. Benefit rules, discounts, and amounts change often, so always confirm details on the official links. Nothing here is legal, medical, or financial advice.

Get help now
Emergency financial help

Short-term help when things get tight.

Grants and assistance for rent, utilities, car repairs, and other urgent needs, often turned around quickly.

Grants & aid

Emergency funds.

  • USA Cares — emergency financial assistance for veterans and military families. Low-income / hardship
  • Operation Homefront — critical financial assistance, transitional housing, and family programs. Low-income / hardship
Wounded & ill

Funds for injured vets.

  • Semper Fi & America’s Fund — immediate and lifetime financial support for combat wounded, critically ill, and injured across all branches. Any % disability rating
  • VFW Unmet Needs — grants for basic needs during financial hardship. Low-income / hardship
By branch

Relief societies.

  • Army Emergency Relief — the Army’s own nonprofit; interest-free loans (up to $6,000) and grants for active-duty and retired Soldiers and their families facing rent, food, car repair, or other emergencies.
  • Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society — interest-free loans and grants for active-duty and retired Sailors, Marines, and their families, covering everyday emergencies, medical and dental bills, and PCS costs.
  • Air & Space Forces Aid Society — the official charity of the Air Force and Space Force; interest-free loans and grants for active-duty and retired Airmen, Guardians, and their families.
  • Coast Guard Mutual Assistance — interest-free loans and grants for active-duty, reserve, and retired Coast Guard members and their families.
Legal trouble

Arrested, in court, or getting out?

  • Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) — If a veteran is arrested, in jail, or facing charges, a VA Justice Outreach specialist can connect them to treatment, housing, and Veterans Treatment Courts or other diversion programs. Family members can reach out too.
  • Health Care for Reentry Veterans — For veterans in state or federal prison preparing for release: VA reentry specialists line up health care, mental health, housing and job help before release, plus short-term case management after.
Mental health & peer support

Help that gets military life.

Free, confidential, and often faster than you expect. You do not need a VA rating.

Talk now

Crisis & peer lines.

  • Veterans Crisis Line — dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. 24/7.
  • Vets4Warriors — 24/7 confidential peer support, veteran to veteran, for any problem, big or small.
Counseling

Clinics & counseling.

  • Cohen Veterans Network — low-cost, high-quality mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans and families.
  • Give an Hour — free counseling from volunteer mental health professionals.
  • Vet Centers — free readjustment and PTSD counseling, separate from VA hospitals.
Service dogs

Trained service dogs, at no cost.

  • K9s For Warriors — the country’s largest provider of free trained service dogs for veterans of any era living with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma. The dog, an 18-day residential training program, housing, meals, and lifetime follow-up support are all covered at no charge. You need a physician’s report confirming the diagnosis, not a VA disability rating. Expect a long waitlist.
Free care

Crisis & MST care, no strings.

  • Free emergency suicidal crisis care, even if not enrolled — If you’re at risk of immediate self-harm, VA can provide or pay for emergency mental health care at any VA or non-VA ER, plus up to 90 days of follow-up care, even if you’re not enrolled. You qualify if you experienced military sexual trauma, served over 24 months, or served 100+ days in a combat or contingency operation, and weren’t dishonorably discharged.
  • Free military sexual trauma (MST) care — VA provides free treatment for physical and mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma. You don’t need to have reported it or have proof, and it’s available even with an Other Than Honorable discharge, under 2 years of service, or no VA rating. Every VA medical center has an MST coordinator.
Getting started
Getting started

New to this? Start here.

Do it right

File a claim the smart way.

  • How to file a disability claim — the official step-by-step.
  • Use a free County Veterans Service Officer or an accredited VSO like the DAV or VFW. Never pay for help filing a basic claim.
  • Find a VA-accredited representative — check VA’s official list before you let anyone help with a claim. Help from an accredited VSO representative is always free, and accredited attorneys and claims agents generally can’t charge until VA has decided your initial claim and a signed fee agreement is on file. Steer clear of unaccredited “claim consultants” (claim sharks) who want a cut of your back pay.
  • VA fraud protection & VSAFE — how to spot claim, job, and memorial scams aimed at veterans and families, and where to report them. VSAFE fraud hotline: 1-833-38V-SAFE (833-388-7233).
Just got out

Your first-year deadlines.

  • Pre-discharge claim (BDD) — still on active duty with 180 to 90 days left? File your disability claim before you get out through Benefits Delivery at Discharge so your decision comes sooner.
  • One-time VA dental care — if you served at least 90 days on active duty in the Gulf War era (which still includes today) and didn’t get a complete dental exam and treatment before discharge, you can get one-time dental care. You must apply within 180 days of discharge.
  • Keep your life insurance (VGLI) — convert your SGLI to VGLI within 1 year and 120 days of leaving the military. Apply within 240 days and you won’t have to prove good health.
  • VA Solid Start — if you left active duty in the past year, VA reaches out three times (in your first 90 days, then by day 180 and day 365) and sets up a free call with a VA representative to walk you through health care, disability claims, GI Bill, home loans and other benefits. Watch your email for “VA Solid Start (VASS) - Schedule Your Call.” Representatives never ask for financial information. Call 800-827-0611
  • Conditions that show up your first year out — some illnesses that appear within a year of discharge can still be service-connected, so don’t assume it’s too late to claim them.
Discharge status

Other-than-honorable discharge?

Free lawyers

Denied, discharged, or stuck?

  • Free lawyer to appeal a Board denial (Veterans Consortium) — If the Board of Veterans’ Appeals denied your claim, The Veterans Consortium can match you with a free volunteer attorney to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Hard deadline: you have only 120 days from the Board decision. Call 888-838-7727
  • Lawyers Serving Warriors (NVLSP) — Free lawyers help veterans of any era with discharge upgrades, wrongly denied medical retirement, Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC), and TSGLI traumatic injury insurance claims. Call 202-265-8305
  • Stateside Legal — Free plain-language legal help written for veterans, service members, and families: guides, sample letters and forms for VA benefits, discharge upgrades, housing, debt, employment, and family law, plus a map to find a local free lawyer.
  • Military OneSource for recent veterans — For up to 365 days after you leave the military, you can still use free confidential counseling, coaching on money, jobs, and relationships, peer support, and help with a discharge upgrade. Call 800-342-9647
Money & benefits
Limited-time deals

Veteran deals happening now.

Short-term freebies and discounts for veterans, like free meals and free admission days. Each one was checked on the business’s own website, and they drop off this list automatically once they end. Offers can vary by location, so bring proof of service and confirm before you go.

Free admission

SeaWorld San Diego: free admission for veterans.

Through Oct. 25, 2026

The Waves of Honor offer gives honorably discharged veterans and retirees one free admission, plus discounted tickets for a few family members. Verify through ID.me and get tickets online; tickets must be used by Oct. 25. Not valid for Howl-O-Scream or separately ticketed events.

Offer details & tickets Checked Oct. 9, 2026

Free meal

Chili’s: free Veterans Day meal.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026

Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from a limited menu (like Chicken Crispers, the Oldtimer burger, or soup and salad). Dine-in only at participating restaurants; drinks and tip not included.

Offer details Checked Oct. 9, 2026

Free admission

Aquarium of the Pacific: free on Veterans Day.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 · 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Free admission in Long Beach for veterans and military personnel with service ID. Capacity is limited and a reservation is required; call ahead to reserve.

Event details (562) 590-3100, ext. 0 Checked Oct. 9, 2026

Free admission

National parks: free entrance on Veterans Day.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026

Entrance fees are waived for everyone at National Park Service sites that normally charge, including Joshua Tree. Reservation, timed-entry, camping, and other special fees may still apply.

Fee-free days Checked Oct. 19, 2026

Discounts, travel & everyday savings

The perks veterans leave on the table.

Free to join, and they add up fast. Verify your status once and reuse it across dozens of brands.

Travel, big savings

Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC).

  • Armed Forces Vacation Club — free membership for active, retired, veteran, Guard/Reserve, and Gold Star families. Week-long resort stays from around $349, plus discounts on 600,000+ hotels, cruises, and car rentals worldwide.
Gear & eyewear

Oakley Standard Issue (SI).

  • Oakley Standard Issue — free program with direct/discount pricing on Oakley eyewear and gear for military, veterans, first responders, and government. Veterans get lifetime membership.
Verify once, save everywhere

WeSalute, GovX & ID.me.

  • WeSalute (formerly Veterans Advantage) — a digital military ID plus year-round discounts and travel perks.
  • GovX — free exclusive pricing on hundreds of brands and gear.
  • ID.me military verification — verify once and unlock military discounts across many major retailers.
Free for life

National Parks lifetime pass.

  • America the Beautiful Military/Veterans Pass — free lifetime access to national parks and federal recreation lands for veterans and Gold Star families.
  • Tip: many retailers (home improvement, cellphone, insurance, hotels) give 10–25% off with a verified military ID. Ask everywhere.
VA benefits most people miss

Earned benefits that quietly save real money.

The ones veterans are most surprised to learn they qualify for. Eligibility varies, so check each link.

Shop on base

Commissary, Exchange & MWR.

  • Expanded base privileges — since 2020, all service-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former POWs, and caregivers can shop tax-free at commissaries and exchanges and use MWR facilities. Any % disability ratingorCaregiver
Fly standby

Space-A military flights.

  • Space-Available travel — 100% service-connected disabled veterans can fly standby on military aircraft, often for free. 100% / P&T disability rating
Extra pension

Aid & Attendance.

  • VA Veterans Pension — a needs-based monthly payment for wartime veterans with limited income and net worth who are 65+ or permanently and totally disabled. It’s separate from disability compensation and many eligible veterans never apply. Low-income / hardship
  • Aid & Attendance and Housebound — an added monthly payment on top of VA pension if you need help with daily activities or are largely confined to home. Widely underused by older veterans. Low-income / hardship
Free filing

MilTax free tax software.

  • MilTax — free federal and state tax prep and filing built for the military community, with no income limit.
Paid at 100%

Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

  • Individual Unemployability (TDIU) — pays disability compensation at the full 100% rate even if your combined rating is lower, if service-connected conditions keep you from holding steady work. Needs one condition rated 60%+, or a combined 70%+ with one rated 40%+. Any % disability rating
Special claims

Clothing & vehicle allowances.

  • VA annual clothing allowance — a yearly payment if a prosthetic or orthopedic device, or a prescribed skin medication for a service-connected condition, wears out or stains your clothes. You must qualify by August 1 to be paid that year, and you can receive more than one allowance if multiple devices affect different garments. Any % disability rating
  • Automobile allowance & adaptive equipment — a one-time payment toward a specially equipped vehicle, plus grants for adaptive equipment like hand controls or lift gear, for service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of a hand or foot, severe burns, ALS, or qualifying vision loss. Apply and get approval before you buy. Any % disability rating
Retired pay & insurance

CRSC and VALife.

  • Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) — a tax-free monthly payment that restores retired pay offset by VA disability compensation, for military retirees rated at least 10% by VA for a combat-related condition (armed conflict, hazardous duty, an instrumentality of war, or training that simulates war). It is never automatic; you apply through your branch of service. Any % disability rating
  • VALife life insurance — guaranteed-acceptance whole life coverage up to $40,000 for veterans age 80 or younger with any service-connected rating, including 0%. No health questions, premiums locked at your enrollment age, and full coverage begins after a two-year waiting period. Any % disability rating
  • Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) — if you get a VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant, this insurance can pay off your remaining home mortgage (up to $200,000) to your lender if you die, so your family keeps the house. You must hold the title and have a mortgage, and apply before age 70. Ask your VA loan guaranty agent after your SAH grant. Any % disability rating
Extra pay

VA money you may be owed.

  • Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) — Extra tax-free money on top of your VA rating for specific losses, like loss or loss of use of a hand, foot or eye, loss of breast tissue, needing daily help from another person, or being housebound. The smallest award (SMC-K) can be added at any rating from 0% to 100%, and higher levels pay thousands a month. Ask VA or your VSO to check. Any % disability rating
  • Temporary 100% after surgery or a long hospital stay — If surgery for a service-connected condition needs at least a month to recover (or a major joint is put in a cast), VA can pay you at the 100% rate for 1 to 3 months, with up to 3 more months if your case is severe. A hospital stay over 21 days for a service-connected condition also qualifies. You have to file a claim; it isn’t automatic. Call 800-827-1000 Any % disability rating
  • Extra VA pay for a spouse, kids, or parents — With a combined rating of 30% or higher, VA pays more each month for a spouse, children under 18, children 18 to 23 in school, and low-income parents you support. File within 1 year of the marriage, birth, or adoption to get back pay to that date. If both spouses are veterans rated 30%+, each can claim the other. Any % disability rating
  • Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) — Military retirees rated 50% or higher can get full retired pay AND VA disability pay instead of having retired pay reduced. It’s usually automatic, but if you think you qualify and aren’t getting it (common for Guard and Reserve retirees), file DD Form 827 with DFAS. Any % disability rating
  • Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) — Medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2009 with a combined rating of 20% or less and got severance instead of retirement? The PDBR can re-review your rating. If it rises to 30% or more, you get medical retirement back to your separation date: lifetime retired pay, TRICARE for your family, and commissary and exchange access. NVLSP offers free help applying.
Debts, loans & taxes

Wipe out or shrink what you owe.

  • Student loan discharge for 100% or TDIU veterans — If VA rated you 100% service-connected or pays you at the 100% rate for unemployability (TDIU), the Department of Education can wipe out your federal student loans and TEACH Grant obligations. Education checks VA records every quarter and mails a notice before discharging. Never got a letter? Apply yourself with your VA decision letter. Any % disability rating
  • VA debt help: waivers, compromise & copay relief — If VA says you were overpaid or you owe VA copay bills, you can ask VA to forgive the debt (waiver), accept less (compromise), pause payments, or set up a payment plan. Ask for a waiver within 1 year of your first debt letter, and dispute an overpayment within 30 days to stop collections. Call 800-827-0648
  • Tax refund when your VA rating is made retroactive — If VA grants or raises your rating back to an earlier year and you paid income tax on military retired pay for that year, you may be able to file amended returns (Form 1040-X) and get that tax back. You get an extra year from the VA decision to file, but it can’t reach tax years that began more than 5 years before the decision. Any % disability rating
  • Social Security disability fast-track for 100% P&T veterans — If VA rated you 100% Permanent and Total, Social Security processes your SSDI application faster. Tell them you’re a veteran rated 100% P&T and give them your VA rating letter. Approval isn’t guaranteed, and many veterans don’t know they can collect SSDI on top of VA pay. Call 1-800-772-1213 100% / P&T disability rating
Health care & disability

Care, ratings, and the PACT Act.

Enroll

VA health care.

  • Apply for VA health care — more veterans qualify than assume they do, especially after recent expansions.
  • VA dental (VADIP) — dental coverage options many veterans overlook.
  • VA travel pay (mileage reimbursement) — get paid back for driving to VA or VA-approved appointments if you have a 30% or higher rating, are traveling for a service-connected condition, get VA pension, or have limited income. File within 30 days of each appointment — a big deal for High Desert vets making the drive to Loma Linda. Any % disability ratingorLow-income / hardship
Compensation

Disability benefits.

  • Disability compensation — file a new claim, add conditions, or request an increase.
  • PACT Act — expanded eligibility for burn pit, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures. If you were denied before, it may be worth another look.
Family

Coverage for dependents.

  • CHAMPVA — health coverage for spouses and children of permanently and totally disabled veterans. Spouse, dependent & survivors
  • Caregiver support — stipends, training, and health coverage for those caring for a veteran. Caregiver
Women veterans

Care built for women vets.

  • VA women veterans health care — primary and women’s health care, reproductive and menopause care, mental health, and MST-related care. The Women Veterans Call Center (call or text 855-829-6636) helps with enrolling, appointments, and benefits questions.
Aging & long-term care

Help staying at home, or more.

  • VA long-term care & elder care — in-home care, homemaker and home health aides, adult day health care, respite so a family caregiver can take a break, and nursing home care. You need to be enrolled in VA health care, and a VA social worker can help you get started.
  • Veteran Directed Care (hire your own helper) — Veterans who need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing or meals get a VA budget to hire their own in-home help, which can include a family member or neighbor. Ask your VA social worker if it’s offered near you.
Getting seen

Care closer to home.

  • VA urgent care, no referral needed — Enrolled veterans can walk into in-network urgent care centers and retail walk-in clinics for minor illness or injury with no referral, and pay nothing at the visit. You need VA or VA-paid care in the past 24 months; a copay (sometimes $30) may be billed later. Check the clinic is in network first. Call 866-620-2071
  • Community care: see a local doctor at VA expense — If your average drive to VA is over 30 minutes or the wait is over 20 days for primary or mental health care (60 minutes or 28 days for specialty care), VA must let you see an in-network local doctor. A big deal for the High Desert. Ask your VA care team to check; VA must approve it first.
  • Non-VA emergency room: the 72-hour rule — VA can pay for ER care at a non-VA hospital, but VA must be told within 72 hours of arrival. The hospital, you, or family can call or report it online. Save this one before you need it. Call 844-724-7842
  • Borrow a VA tablet for video visits — No smartphone, tablet or internet for VA video appointments? VA can lend you a tablet at no cost through a Digital Divide Consult. Ask your VA provider.
Free devices

Hearing aids, glasses & more.

  • Free VA hearing aids, repairs & batteries — Enrolled veterans can get a hearing test from VA audiology, and if hearing aids are recommended, the aids, repairs and future batteries are free for as long as you keep VA eligibility.
  • VA eye exams and free eyeglasses — VA health care covers routine eye exams, and VA pays for glasses if you have any compensable service-connected disability, are a former POW or Purple Heart recipient, get Aid and Attendance or Housebound pension, or have vision problems tied to conditions like diabetes, stroke, TBI or cataract surgery.
  • America’s VetDogs — Free service, guide, hearing, PTSD and MST service dogs for veterans with disabilities, including training and travel to the New York campus. PTSD dogs require an honorable discharge and at least a year of steady counseling; you cover the dog’s care afterward (about $100 a month). Call 1-631-930-9000 Any % disability rating
  • VA pays vet bills for service dogs — VA pays veterinary health insurance and care for guide and service dogs prescribed for veterans with vision, hearing, mobility or qualifying mental health conditions. The dog must come from an accredited program; start with your VA provider.
Education, work & housing
Education & scholarships

School, trades, and tech, for you and your family.

GI Bill

Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Often better than GI Bill

Training & retraining.

  • VR&E (Chapter 31) — for service-connected veterans, often more generous than the GI Bill, and it can fund training, school, or starting a business. Any % disability rating
  • DoD SkillBridge — civilian job training and internships during your final months of service.
  • VET TEC 2.0 — VA-funded high-tech training (coding, IT support, data, cybersecurity) that does not use up GI Bill months. Open to Veterans discharged other than dishonorably, or service members within 180 days of separating, with at least 36 months on active duty.
Free money for school

Scholarships & waivers.

  • CalVet College Fee Waiver — waives California public college tuition and fees for eligible children and spouses of service-connected disabled or deceased veterans. Can be worth tens of thousands. Spouse, dependent & survivors+California resident
  • Pat Tillman Foundation — scholarships and leadership development for veterans and military spouses.
  • Folds of Honor — scholarships for spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members. Spouse, dependent & survivors
  • Fry Scholarship & DEA — education benefits for survivors and dependents. Spouse, dependent & survivors
  • Student Veterans of America (SVA) — a national nonprofit with campus chapters for peer support and community, plus its own scholarship programs for student veterans.
  • Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship — extra months of Post-9/11 GI Bill funding for veterans (or Fry Scholarship dependents) pursuing a qualifying STEM degree who are close to running out of benefits.
Employment & business

Careers, hiring preference, and veteran-owned business.

Free career help

Jobs & coaching.

  • Hire Heroes USA — free, personalized career coaching, resume help, and job placement.
  • Hiring Our Heroes — U.S. Chamber program connecting veterans and spouses with employers and fellowships.
  • Onward to Opportunity (IVMF) — free professional certifications and job placement.
  • Feds Hire Vets — veterans’ preference and federal hiring explained.
  • American Corporate Partners (ACP) — free, year-long one-on-one mentorship pairing post-9/11 veterans and eligible military spouses with a corporate professional for resume help, career guidance, and networking.
Your business

Start & grow a veteran business.

  • SDVOSB / VOSB certification (SBA) — certify to compete for set-aside federal contracts.
  • Veterans Business Outreach Center — free counseling and the Boots to Business program.
  • Warrior Rising — free mentoring and startup support for veteran entrepreneurs.
  • VetFran — International Franchise Association program where 650+ participating franchise brands offer honorably discharged veterans discounted franchise fees, often 10–25% off or more.
  • CA Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification — for California-resident veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more; certified DVBEs compete for a share of the state’s contracting dollars through set-aside and streamlined state contracts. Any % disability rating+California resident
On the job

Perks for working veterans.

  • Disabled Veteran Leave for new federal employees — New federal employees rated 30% or more get up to 104 hours of extra paid leave in their first 12 months for service-connected medical appointments, so you don’t burn sick or annual leave. Ask HR if you don’t see it. Any % disability rating
  • Expedited California professional licenses — California licensing boards must move honorably discharged veterans to the front of the line for licenses like nursing, security guard, cosmetology, real estate and contractor. Military spouses get faster processing and a waived initial license fee. Call 800-952-5210 California resident
Home & housing

Buying, adapting, and staying housed.

$0 down

VA & CalVet home loans.

  • VA home loan — no down payment, no PMI, and the funding fee is waived if you are service-connected disabled.
  • CalVet Home Loans — California’s own veteran loan program. California resident
  • SAH & SHA grants — help paying for disability-related home modifications. Any % disability rating
  • VA funding fee exemption and refund — Veterans who get VA disability pay, and surviving spouses on DIC, don’t pay the VA home loan funding fee, often thousands of dollars. Already paid it, then VA granted a rating effective before your closing? Call your VA regional loan center about a refund. Call 877-827-3702 Any % disability ratingorSpouse, dependent & survivors
Free adapted homes

Homes for severely injured vets.

  • Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. — builds mortgage-free adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and funds home modifications, mobility devices, and adapted vehicles for injured, ill, and aging veterans.
  • Homes For Our Troops — builds and donates specially adapted, mortgage-free homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. 100% / P&T disability rating
  • Tunnel to Towers — mortgage-free and smart homes for catastrophically injured service members and Gold Star families. 100% / P&T disability ratingorSpouse, dependent & survivors
  • Fisher House — free lodging for families while a veteran receives care at a VA or military hospital.
Save / stay housed

Property tax & homeless support.

  • California Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption — a substantial property tax break for 100% disabled veterans and eligible surviving spouses. 100% / P&T disability ratingorSpouse, dependent & survivors+California resident
  • HUD-VASH — housing vouchers plus case management for veterans facing homelessness. Homeless / at-risk
  • Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) — VA-funded grants to local nonprofits for rapid re-housing and homelessness-prevention case management, plus help with rent, utilities, or move-in costs, for very low-income veteran families who are homeless or at risk. Low-income / hardship+Homeless / at-risk
  • VA Grant and Per Diem transitional housing — VA funds local organizations to provide transitional housing with support services for homeless veterans. To get a bed, ask a VA homeless program or call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, free and open 24/7. Call 877-424-3838 Homeless / at-risk
Keep your home

Behind on payments or need repairs?

  • VA help if you’re behind on your mortgage — VA loan technicians can push for forbearance, a repayment plan, a loan modification, or the VA Partial Claim Program, where VA covers missed payments and you repay only when you sell or pay off the home. Free counseling is open to veterans and surviving spouses even if your loan isn’t a VA loan. Call 877-827-3702
  • HISA grant for medically needed home changes — VA pays for medically needed home changes like roll-in showers, ramps, wider doorways and accessible counters: up to $6,800 lifetime for a service-connected condition (or any condition if you’re rated 50%+), and up to $2,000 for other enrolled veterans. Needs a VA doctor’s prescription; renters can qualify with the owner’s OK.
  • Habitat for Humanity Veterans Build — Habitat does critical home repairs for veteran homeowners through its Repair Corps program, and veterans can also partner with Habitat to build and buy a home with an affordable mortgage. Each local affiliate sets eligibility; contact yours.
Family & community
Survivors & families

Support for spouses, children, and caregivers.

Survivors

Compensation & pension.

  • Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — monthly benefit for eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents. Spouse, dependent & survivors
  • Survivors Pension — for eligible low-income survivors of wartime veterans. Spouse, dependent & survivors+Low-income / hardship
  • VA accrued benefits for survivors — When a veteran dies, VA money owed but not yet paid (including from a pending claim or appeal) can go to the surviving spouse, then dependent children, then dependent parents, and a survivor can take over a pending claim. Apply within 1 year of the death. Spouse, dependent & survivors
  • Free financial counseling and will for life insurance beneficiaries — If you received an SGLI, FSGLI, VGLI or TSGLI payout, VA pays for 2 years of free financial planning (up to 40 hours of counseling) plus a free online will valid in all states. Call 888-243-7351 Spouse, dependent & survivors
Grief & peer support

Survivor support community.

  • TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) — free 24/7 peer support, grief resources, and survivor seminars for anyone grieving the loss of a military loved one, regardless of how, when, or where they died. Spouse, dependent & survivors
Burial & memorial

Burial benefits and memorial items.

  • VA burial benefits & memorial items — a gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care in a VA national cemetery at no cost, plus a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Families can also claim a burial allowance toward funeral and transport costs, and veterans can request a pre-need eligibility decision now to spare their family the paperwork later.
Kids & spouses

For the people who served alongside you.

  • Our Military Kids — Pays for sports, arts and tutoring activities for kids 1 to 18 whose veteran parent is getting care for combat-related injuries or illness. Pick the activity, then apply online. Call 703-734-6654 Any % disability rating
  • Camp Corral (free summer camp) — A free week of summer camp for kids 8 to 15 whose veteran parent has a service-connected injury or illness or died during or after service. One camp is in California (YMCA Camp Marston in Julian). A small refundable hold-your-spot fee applies. Call 1-855-605-1267 Any % disability ratingorSpouse, dependent & survivors
  • Hope For The Warriors spouse & caregiver scholarships — College scholarships paid to the school for spouses and caregivers of post-9/11 veterans with a combat-related injury or a 100% P&T rating (including IU), and spouses of the fallen. Windows run Aug 1 to Sep 30 and Mar 1 to Apr 30. CaregiverorSpouse, dependent & survivors
  • Camp Lejeune Family Member Program — Spouses and children who lived at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for 30+ days between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987 can get VA reimbursement of medical bills for 15 conditions, including certain cancers, infertility and miscarriage. Call 866-372-1144 Spouse, dependent & survivors
Veteran service organizations

Free claims help and a community that has your back.

Accredited Veterans Service Organizations file and appeal VA claims for you at no cost, and you should never pay anyone to file a basic claim. They also offer rides to appointments, events, and camaraderie.

More support

Specialized organizations.

  • AMVETS — claims help, scholarships, and career services.
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America — for veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. Any % disability rating
  • Wounded Warrior Project — programs for post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured veterans and families. Any % disability rating
Purpose, recreation & community

Stay connected and keep serving.

For a lot of veterans, the hardest part of transition is losing the mission and the team. These help you get both back.

Team & fitness

Community through activity.

Keep the mission

Serve again.

  • Team Rubicon — put your skills to work on disaster response and humanitarian missions.
Heal outdoors

Therapeutic recreation.

Free tickets

Live events, on the house.

  • Vet Tix (Veteran Tickets Foundation) — free nonprofit ticket program for concerts, sports, and other events. Register once and enter a lottery for tickets in your area; has given away more than 31 million tickets since 2008.
Free travel

Trips you don’t pay for.

  • Veterans Airlift Command — Free private flights for veterans getting ongoing medical care, and for family or close friends visiting them at a hospital, plus some healing trips like unit reunions. It mainly serves combat-injured veterans and veterans needing treatment; passengers must be able to walk on their own. Call 952-582-2911
  • Honor Flight — A free escorted day trip to the war memorials in Washington, DC for older veterans, booked through your local hub. Hubs generally take veterans who served through the Vietnam era first, and terminally ill veterans of any era. Use the hub finder for San Bernardino County.
  • Fisher House Hero Miles — Donated airline miles cover round-trip flights for wounded, ill or injured service members traveling between a medical center and home, and for family visiting them during treatment. For currently serving members and their families, not veterans. Currently serving & families
  • Warrior Expeditions — Free months-long hikes, bike rides and paddles (like the Appalachian Trail) for combat veterans to “walk off the war,” with all gear provided. Open to honorably discharged veterans who served in a combat zone. Applications for the 2027 season close Dec. 1, 2026.
  • Heroes and Horses — A free 41-day horseback and wilderness program in Montana to help veterans reset, with round-trip airfare included. Mostly combat veterans but all may apply; currently male veterans only, with 16 spots a session.
Sports & rec

Play, compete, heal.

  • VA national sports events (Golden Age Games & more) — VA runs free national rehab events, including the Golden Age Games for veterans 55 and older (pickleball, bowling, swimming, golf and more), the Wheelchair Games, Summer and Winter Sports Clinics, a Golf Clinic and the Creative Arts Festival. Most require VA health care enrollment.
  • PGA HOPE — Free 6-week golf lessons from PGA pros for veterans, used as recreation therapy and a way to meet other vets. No experience needed.
  • VA training allowance for disabled veteran athletes — VA pays a monthly allowance to disabled veterans training for the US Paralympic or Olympic team. Paralympic athletes need classification and a performance standard; Olympic athletes need a 30%+ rating and national team selection. Any % disability rating
California & local
California statewide

State benefits worth claiming.

California adds real benefits on top of federal ones. CalVet is the hub for all of them.

Start here

CalVet.

  • CalVet — California Department of Veterans Affairs, the front door to every state benefit. California resident
  • CalVet Veterans Homes — long-term and skilled nursing care. California resident
Everyday savings

DMV & state parks.

Money back

Education & property tax.

  • College Fee Waiver — California public college tuition waived for eligible dependents. Spouse, dependent & survivors+California resident
  • Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption — a significant break on your home’s property tax. 100% / P&T disability ratingorSpouse, dependent & survivors+California resident
  • Military retirement pay tax exclusion — California lets qualifying retirees, and survivors receiving a Defense Department Survivor Benefit Plan annuity, exclude up to $20,000 of military retirement pay from state income tax through 2030, if income is under $125,000 (individual) or $250,000 (joint filer or surviving spouse). California resident
  • California Veterans’ Exemption ($4,000 property tax) — A separate, lesser-known exemption from the disabled veterans’ one: up to $4,000 off assessed value for wartime veterans (or an unmarried surviving spouse or parent) who own very little else. Total property, not counting the home, can’t exceed $5,000 single or $10,000 married. Apply through your county assessor. Low-income / hardship+California resident
Grocery help

CalFresh food assistance.

  • CalVet Food Assistance & CalFresh — CalFresh (California’s SNAP program) adds to your grocery budget with a monthly EBT card; CalVet’s food assistance page also connects veterans to emergency food banks and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Other VA or Social Security income usually does not disqualify you. Low-income / hardship+California resident
State jobs

Veterans’ Preference for state employment.

  • California Veterans’ Preference (CalHR) — pass any open State civil service exam with a score of 70 or better and you are placed in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list, which sharply improves your odds of landing an interview. Open to veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, veteran widows and widowers, spouses of 100% disabled veterans, and service members within six months of separating. File Form CalHR 1093 once and it applies to every future exam you pass. California resident
Rights & licenses

Driving, business & court.

  • Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates — DV plates waive registration and license fees on one vehicle and give free parking at on-street meters, unlimited time at green curbs, and use of disabled spaces. For veterans with a service-connected 100% rating for a condition that substantially impairs mobility, or who need an assistive device, lost use of a limb, or are legally blind. Apply with form REG 256V. Any % disability rating+California resident
  • Veteran vendor license fee exemption (B&P Code 16102) — State law lets honorably discharged veterans sell goods they own (anything except alcohol) without paying state, county or city license fees; bring your DD-214. Some cities apply it narrowly to business licenses, so ask. California resident
  • CSLB Military Veterans program (contractor license) — Military training and experience can count toward the 4 years of experience needed for a California contractor’s license, and veterans get faster processing and direct contact with CSLB staff. California resident
  • Veterans Treatment Courts — Veterans facing criminal charges tied to PTSD, TBI or substance use may be able to complete a 15 to 18 month treatment court instead of standard sentencing. San Bernardino County runs one; ask your defense attorney. California resident
Local — High Desert & San Bernardino County

Help close to home, from people who know the area.

Start with a County Veterans Service Officer. They file VA claims for you at no cost, and you should never pay anyone to file a basic claim.

Claims help, free

San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs.

  • Find your County Veterans Service Officer — official CalVet directory; look up San Bernardino County for the office nearest the High Desert. High Desert / local
  • San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs — the county's own veterans affairs office, with a High Desert location in Hesperia; helps with disability, pension, health care, and other VA benefits by phone or in person. Hesperia office: 15900 Smoke Tree St. · 760-995-8010 · toll-free 866-472-8387 High Desert / local
  • Welcome Home Veterans! — San Bernardino County's veteran resource portal, covering benefits, jobs, CalFresh food assistance, housing, health care, and education in one place. High Desert / local
  • Shelter Treatment Court — a monthly collaborative court event, run by County Veterans Affairs with Probation and the Superior Court, that resolves warrants and fines for low-level offenses so veterans and other residents experiencing homelessness can clear legal barriers to housing, jobs, and benefits. Homeless / at-risk+High Desert / local
VA health, local

VA care in the High Desert.

Community

Local posts & counseling.

  • Find a Vet Center — free readjustment counseling near you.
  • American Legion & VFW — find posts in Apple Valley, Victorville, and Hesperia. Call to confirm current hours. High Desert / local
Housing & recovery

Sober living for veterans.

  • Orenda Veterans Project — Apple Valley-based sober living and transitional housing for veterans in all phases of recovery, with wellness, education, and career-development support; now also open to women veterans. Call (805) 418-0382 Homeless / at-risk+High Desert / local
  • U.S.VETS Inland Empire — emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, plus free mental health care and career services for homeless and at-risk veterans across San Bernardino and Riverside counties, based at March Air Reserve Base with a newer San Bernardino city location. Homeless / at-risk+High Desert / local
On campus

Victor Valley College Veterans Resource Center.

  • VVC Veterans Resource Center — benefits and enrollment help, priority registration, and connections to county and VA resources for student veterans in Victorville; walk-in hours run several days a month, with remote support on weekdays. High Desert / local
Get around

Discounted transit (VVTA).

  • Victor Valley Transit Authority veteran fare — veterans ride at the discounted Veteran/Senior/Disabled rate (about half off regular fare) on all VVTA Fixed Route, County Route, Micro-Link, and Route 15 buses across Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Barstow, and Adelanto. Show a veteran photo ID when boarding. Routes & schedules: (760) 948-3030 High Desert / local
Free legal help

Civil legal aid for veterans.

  • Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino — its Veterans Support program provides free civil legal help to veterans across San Bernardino and Riverside counties, offered at the San Bernardino Vet Center and through local veteran partners. Covers housing and landlord disputes, clearing criminal records, ticket matters, reinstating a suspended or revoked driver’s license, and reducing back child support. Call (909) 889-7328 High Desert / local
County perks

San Bernardino County extras.

  • County Disabled Veteran Park Entrance Pass — Free entry to San Bernardino County Regional Parks, like Mojave Narrows and Calico Ghost Town, for county residents with a VA rating of 50% or higher. Entry only, not fishing or camping, and not valid on holidays or special events. Call 909-387-2757 Any % disability rating+High Desert / local
  • Health permit fee waiver for veteran food vendors — Honorably discharged veterans who own a food truck, cart, booth or temporary food stand can have the county health permit fee waived. Send the Veterans’ Exemption Form with your DD-214 and permit application to County Environmental Health; temporary food stand waivers renew yearly. Call 800-442-2283 High Desert / local
About the business

Signal & Shield Solutions.

A veteran-owned technology business based in Apple Valley. We help homes and small businesses across the High Desert in person, and clients anywhere remotely. Veterans, active duty, and military families get a military discount on every service.

Prefer to talk? Call or text (442) 390-6785.

Contact us See our services

This page is a free community resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the VA, CalVet, or any organization listed. Links go to official and nonprofit sources; please verify current eligibility and details there. Spot a broken link or a missing benefit? Let us know.