CalVet’s California Veterans Resource Book, 8th edition (PDF)

Learn about and access the wide variety of services and benefits available to California veterans and family members.

This book includes information about all of the programs offered, how to find out if you qualify, who to contact, and how to apply. Whether you’re interested in getting a veteran designation on your driver license, getting a discounted State Parks pass, or if you need assistance with education, health care, disability benefits, employment, housing, or emergency assistance, you will find helpful information in this book.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​California Transition Assistance Program (CalTAP) is a program designed to inform and connect veterans of all eras to their earned federal and state benefits as well as provide continued support and assistance as their needs change over time through five unique pathways:

• Core Curriculum: Veteran 101, CA Benefits, Financial Literacy
• Education: Selecting a School, Educational Benefits, UC and State Schools
• Employment: Apprenticeship, Job Search, State E​mployment
• Entrepreneurship: Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), Business Centers, Business Resources
• Service Providers: Attorneys, Employers, Primary Care, Supportive Housing

CalVet Education
CalVet's guide to state and federal education benefits.

Veterans Affairs (VA) Education and Training Benefits
Learn how to apply for and manage GI Bill (or other VA education and training) benefits like college tuition assistance, finding the right school or training program, and getting career counseling.

California College Fee Waiver
The California College Fee Waiver program benefits the spouse and children of U.S. veterans. Students meeting the eligibility criteria may get their college fees waived if they attend a California Community College, a California State University, or University of California campus.

CSULB Veterans' Services
Help for veterans and their dependents accessing the educational benefits they earned by serving in the armed forces of the United States.

Troops to College
The California State University offers unlimited opportunities to help Veterans, active-duty service members and their families meet their personal and professional goals. The CSU system has 23 campuses across California.

CalVet Employment
California offers a variety of employment services and benefits to veterans who are unemployed or seeking employment including employment services to help you find a job, unemployment benefits for while you are seeking employment, and apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs that pay you while you prepare for a sustainable career.

Career One Stop
Get help while you transition from military to civilian life. Information includes Veterans re-employment, military to civilian job search, and other benefits and assistance.

Feds Hire Vets
Get connected to federal employment information for Veterans, transitioning service members, and their families.

VA Veteran Readiness and Employment
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) provides help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching.

Goodwill Veteran Employment Services
The Veteran Employment Program advisors offers skills assessments, one-on-one career counseling, employment preparation courses, educational and technical skills classes, and work tools as well as access to a host of other partner services including shelter and housing assistance, transportation assistance, medical and dental health services, mental health and substance abuse counseling, Veterans Benefits Assistance and more–all aimed at helping veterans secure meaningful and sustainable employment.

EDD Veteran Resources
The EDD offers resources for veterans to meet their career and employment goals to successfully transition from military service to a civilian career. They provide service members, veterans, and their eligible spouses with priority of service to employment, training, and supportive services.

Veterans' Internship Program (VIP)
VIP provides paid internships for qualified veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States. The internships were designed to afford veterans with on-the-job training and work experience with the County of Los Angeles that will enable them to effectively compete for permanent County jobs.

VA Caregiver Support
The VA has a number of services designed specifically to support Family Caregivers.

Companions for Heroes (C4H)
C4H provides companion animals obtained from shelters and/or rescues, who might otherwise be euthanized, free of charge to active duty military personnel, military veterans, and first-responders recovering from the psychological challenges they suffered during service to our country.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)
AFAS is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force. They provide emergency assistance, community programs, and education support to airmen and guardians.

Army Emergency Relief (AER)
AER is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to "Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own." AER provides commanders a valuable asset in accomplishing their basic command responsibility for the morale and welfare of soldiers.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
NMCRS provides financial assistance, interest-free loans, educational scholarships and other support to Navy and Marine families.

VFW Financial Grants
VFW's financial grants program, Unmet Needs, is there to help America's military families who have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. The program provides financial aid grants of up to $1,500 to assist with basic life needs and does not require repayment.

USAA American Legion
Two of the nation's largest military-focused organizations have joined forces to strengthen and support those who served by giving Legionnaires access to USAA's top-rated insurance and financial services.

Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes provides disabled American veterans from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom with Emergency Financial Aid and support services.

Veterans Crisis Line
Get connected to confidential help for you or your family. (800) 273-8255 press 1 OR text 838255

CalVet Health Resources
A compiled list of state, county, and federal resources concerning health benefits for Veterans.

VA Long Beach Healthcare System
The VA Long Beach Healthcare System provides for the health care needs of Veterans in the Southern California region.

NAMI Homefront Mental Health Resources
A free online suite of resources for caregivers, family members, and military service members and veterans designed to increase understanding, communication, wellness, and advocacy skills.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
The DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them.

UCLA Operation Mend
UCLA Operation Mend is a program that provides returning military personnel with severe facial and other medical injuries access to the nation's top plastic and reconstructive surgeons, as well as comprehensive medical and mental-health support for the wounded and their families.

Wounded Warrior Project: Support Programs
Wounded Warrior Project is a veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, service and events for wounded veterans.

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is to ensure that homeless Veterans or Veterans at-risk for homelessness have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors.

VA Housing Assistance
VA housing assistance can help Veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses to buy a home or refinance a loan. We also offer benefits and services to help you build, improve, or keep your current home.

U.S.VETS — Long Beach
U.S.VETS is a private non-profit organization providing housing, employment and counseling services to our nation's veterans, the men and women from all branches of the armed forces who have served their country from World War II to the current conflict in Afghanistan.

MHALA Veterans Services
MHALA's services focus on housing stability and sustainability, including employment training and placement, to prevent and reduce homelessness and to promote stable living. They help veterans find secure housing, essential physical care, mental health counseling, employment, and empowerment. They also offer benefits assistance and personal financial planning, as well as temporary financial assistance to help veterans get back on their feet.

Long Beach Multi-Service Center (MSC)
The MSC provides the following services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness: outreach services, intake and assessment services, case management, as well as referrals to shelters and other social service programs.

Los Angeles County Housing Resource Center
The Los Angeles County Housing Resource Center website strives to bring new information and tools for assisting homeless veterans and their families find affordable housing throughout Los Angeles County.

Habitat for Heroes
Habitat for Heroes is an outreach initiative seeking to assist, engage, mobilize and educate military members and veterans about our programs and services.

Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH)
The CSAH offers Emergency Financial Aid to disabled American Veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom in the form of financial assistance with utility bills, car payments, mortgage/rent, groceries, school supplies and medical bills.

HomeStrong's Heroes Program
HomeStrong USA acquires vacant properties, rehabilitates them, and sells them to Veterans. They also help with loan modifications, buyer education and down payment assistance.

VA Legal Help for Veterans
Some VA facilities host non-VA legal service providers that can assist Veterans free of charge.

Public Counsel's Center for Veterans' Advancement (CVA)
CVA provides legal representation to veterans and their families at both the local and national levels.

National Veterans Legal Service Program (NVLSP)
NVLSP is a nonprofit organization that assists Veterans and active duty personnel obtain the federal benefits they are entitled to.

CalVet Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Division
​​​The Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Division will ensure that all veterans have equal access to their earned benefits, regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. They promote the use of VA benefits, programs, and services. Contact them at MinorityVeterans@calvet.ca.gov or (916) 651-5040.

AF Legal Services Locator
Helps locate active duty legal activities offering general legal services.

LACBA Veterans Legal Services Project
If you're a veteran seeking legal help with one of the following issues, the LACBA Veterans Legal Services Project may be able to help: Clearing Outstanding Tickets and Warrants, Reinstating California Driver Licenses, Expungements: Cleaning Criminal Record for Employment, Family Law (*Clinics Only), Discharge Upgrades, LEAP (LACBA’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program).

Military OneSource
Military OneSource is a confidential Department of Defense-funded program providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life: tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more.