Financial Resources for Veterans and Military Families

Written by: Daniel Gleich

Veterans and their families can face unique financial challenges, from the strain of coping with deployments, relocations, and other times of transition to the difficulty of planning for retirement. However, many organizations, agencies, and programs have sprung up to support those who serve and their loved ones by offering financial assistance and other resources. If you are eligible for these benefits, you should not hesitate to use them.

Veteran Benefits and Discounts

• Veterans Affairs Benefits: Learn about the variety of benefits you can get from the VA, from crisis support to health care to employment help to home loans.
• National Parks Passes: Veterans can get free lifetime passes good for admission to all of our national parks.
• Free Online Tax Help: Military members and qualifying veterans can file their tax returns for free and get help from tax professionals with MilTax.
• Shop at the Exchange Online: Being able to buy things at military prices and tax-free at the Exchange doesn't end when your service ends.
• Free Event Tickets: Get free admission to concerts, sporting events, and other types of performances and events through the Veteran Tickets Foundation.

Housing, Moving, and Relocation Assistance

• Relocation Assistance Program: Whether you need to move to a new duty station or a post-service home, this program can help you figure out all of the details.
• Moving Companies That Offer Discounts to Veterans: If you're planning a move, take a look at the offers that can help you save money.
• Home Modifications, Mobility Devices, and Adapted Vehicles: The Gary Sinise Foundation helps disabled and elderly veterans to stay in their homes and live their lives without hindrance.
• HUD-VASH Program: This program offers assistance for homeless veterans.
• U.S. Vets Housing: Whether you need emergency housing, transitional support, or rental assistance, U.S. Vets can help.
• Tunnel to Towers: If you are a veteran who's homeless or at risk of being homeless, you can get in touch with this organization for assistance.

Veteran Mental Health Resources

• VA Mental Health Treatment Options: Learn about the services available to you to take care of your mental health.
• Veterans Crisis Line: If you need help right now, call for confidential support at any time of the day or night.
• inTransition: This free program provides help for active military members and veterans who need mental health support while navigating a time of transition, including relocation, transitioning out of service, or returning from deployment.
• Mental Health Services for Veterans: Find support from the Wounded Warrior Project if you need help dealing with your mental health struggles.
• What You Should Know About Mental Health for Veterans and Active Military Members: The National Alliance on Mental Illness put together this resource covering common mental health concerns for military members, including how getting help can affect your career and where you can find help.
• Veteran Medical and Mental Health Benefits: Help is available for either physical or mental health issues stemming from military service.

Scholarships for Veterans

• Post-9/11 GI Bill: If you served on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, you can get federal benefits to help pay for your education.
• Your GI Bill Benefits: Everything You Need to Know: Learn more about the educational assistance available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
• AMVETS Scholarships: Veterans and their family members can apply for these scholarships to help cover the costs of a college education.
• Student Veterans of America Scholarships: This organization awards multiple scholarships every year to students who have served in the military.
• Scholarships for Veterans: Read over this resource to find scholarships offered by colleges all over the country to military veterans.

Career and Employment Resources

• Connect With an Employment Navigator: This Department of Labor program offers personalized career assessments and help with finding a civilian career after your military life.
• Veterans' Preference in Hiring: You may be able to gain an advantage over other applicants for jobs because of your veteran status.
• Feds Hire Vets: The federal government has multiple resources geared toward helping veterans to get government jobs.
• Hire Heroes USA: Get career coaching, interview tips, and help with your résumé from this organization.
• Veteran and Military Spouse Programs: The Department of Homeland Security offers multiple pathways for military members and spouses to find employment.
• Job Placement Assistance: Sign up for free career support from VetJobs.

Transition Assistance for Military Personnel

• Transition Assistance Program: Select your service branch to learn about the opportunities available under this federal program.
• TAP Events: Find out about the variety of classes that can help you learn more about transitioning out of the military.
• How to Successfully Transition Out of the Military: Follow this checklist to make sure that you've covered all of the details for a smooth transition.
• Understanding Military Pensions: Military members may be eligible for a pension upon their retirement, but the details will vary depending on your specific situation.
• Military and Social Security Benefits: You can collect both Social Security and military retirement benefits once you stop working.
• How to Open a Self-Directed IRA: Take control of your retirement finances to ensure a smooth transition to your post-work life.

Support for Military Children and Families

• Five Ways the USO Supports Military Spouses: The USO is known for supporting military members on active duty, but this organization also offers support for their loved ones holding down the fort at home.
• Support for Military Spouses' Businesses: Starting a small business can be challenging for anyone, and supporting a member of the military can make it even more stressful. The Small Business Administration can help you get your business off the ground.
• Red Cross Assistance: Request financial help and find other forms of support from the American Red Cross.
• MilSpouse Money Mission: Find out everything you need to know about managing your household's finances and planning for the future on this site.
• Critical Financial Assistance: Operation Homefront offers this program to provide short-term help for military families in a financial bind.
• Blue Star Families: This organization is focused on supporting military families in a variety of ways, from helping them to connect to offering career assistance, outdoor activities, and free museum admission. They can also connect you with a wide variety of discount programs.