15 Sources for Veteran Financial Assistance
Transitioning out of active military service can be a huge adjustment, and the path to civilian life can include many financial hardships. Whether you’re currently enlisted in active duty or you’ve been out of the military for decades, there is a variety of important resources that can help you to overcome these financial hurdles. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best veteran organizations, nonprofits and financial assistance programs that will offer hope and help put you on the path to self-sufficiency.
Emergency financial assistance for disabled veterans
There are countless federal, state, and nonprofit programs which provide grants for disabled veterans—particularly those struggling to pay for medical bills. The organizations listed below offer veterans benefits through grants and stipends that can be used to cover medical treatments and day-to-day living expenses. Visit the links to see which providers are best suited to your needs.
1. Operation Family Fund
This private nonprofit gives short and long-term emergency assistance to disabled veterans who were injured while serving in Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. All funds raised are used to assist veterans, caregivers and families of personnel who were left severely disabled as a result of this operation—and can be used to cover everything from medical bills to essential living expenses.
2. Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes
Founded in 2004, this nonprofit provides financial assistance for veterans disabled in duty during Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. They have provided millions of dollars worth of emergency financial aid and general veterans services, helping those who have been injured or disabled to pay for utility bills, car, rent, and mortgage payments, among other living expenses such as food and transportation.
3. The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA)
The American Legion’s TFA program supports the minor children of veterans who are American Legion members or active duty service members. By awarding cash grants to help families with the cost of food, utilities, shelter, and health expenses, they hope to create a more stable home environment for the dependent children of disabled vets.
Financial aid for veterans wounded in active duty
For veterans who have sustained injuries during active service, the following grants and assistance programs offer hope, healing and life-changing financial support services.
4. The National Association of American Veterans, Inc. (NAAV)
The NAAV’s Military Family Program provides training, counselling, employment, housing and respite care to families caring for severely wounded veterans. With the goal of creating a smooth transition from the health care system to home-based care, the program equips caregivers with the tools and skills needed to help their injured family member reintegrate into society.
5. USA Cares
The Military Assistance Response program from USA Cares offers financial assistance to veterans and their families who are experiencing hardship resulting from a military service-related incident. Applications are verified thoroughly to determine eligibility, and all funds are allocated on a case-by-case basis with no requirement for repayment.
6. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The VFW helps active-duty service members and their families through its Unmet Needs program. Families that are experiencing financial difficulties can receive grants of up to $2,500 to help pay for basic living expenses. All payments are distributed as grants—not loans—meaning you won’t need to worry about making repayments. Read through the Unmet Needs eligibility criteria today to see if you and your family qualify.
7. Operation First Response
Operation First Response oversees a Family Assistance Program which provides wounded veterans with basic financial assistance as they work through the VA claims process. The aim of the program is to offer vets the with the right level of assistance needed to cover basic needs such as clothing, rent, groceries, car payments, and more.
8. Semper Fi & America’s Fund
This Fund is committed to providing veteran financial assistance and tailored support to wounded, ill, and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Their Service Member & Family Support Program offers direct monetary help with housing, transportation, bedside support, caregiver retreats and much more.
Veteran financial assistance programs for female veterans
Female veterans currently make up about 11% of the veteran population. But according to Pew Research Center, this number is on track to increase to 18% by 2046. While all of the programs listed above are available to both women and men, the following programs are specifically tailored to support female veterans and active service members.
9. Combat Female Veterans Families United (CFVF United)
The goal of this nonprofit is to support female veterans as if they were old friends, operating a three-pillared approach of transition, education and advocacy initiatives. From housing and employment assistance to mentorship programs and political advocacy, CFVF United provide a comprehensive package of supports tailored to every stage of the vet reintegration process.
10. Dixon Center
The Dixon Center offers one-time grants through their Women Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance program, designed to help female service members and their families to pay for basic necessities in emergency situations. Their veteran grants can be used to cover the cost of everything from food, housing and utilities to infant supplies, vehicle repairs and more.
11. Center for Women Veterans (CWV)
An initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the CWV helps female service members to achieve equitable outcomes in access to veterans services and benefits. From home loans, employment services and life insurance to a range of specialized health care programs—this government division is one of the leading voices in female veteran advocacy.
Organizations that help homeless veterans
Veterans currently make up about one-third of the adult homeless population, according to figures from We Honor Veterans. If you or somebody you know is a homeless veteran in need of support, these organizations can ease the burden of financial hardship and make self-sufficiency an achievable reality.
12. Veterans Inc.
The Veterans Inc. Housing Program aims to put a stop to chronic homelessness among veterans. It assists veterans in finding local housing, completing employment training and gaining access to legal and medical services. An application for housing can be quickly and easily be sent through their website, or you can contact them directly with any relevant questions.
13. Adjoin for Veterans
This organization operates on the belief that every veteran deserves a place to call home. Their housing-first strategy connects homeless veterans with dedicated coordinators, providing collaborative housing search support with the aim of securing permanent accommodation. These assigned coordinators also assist veterans in gaining access to education, vocational work services and community resources as part of the Adjoin program.
14. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
The HUD-VASH program helps veterans across the country find permanent housing through a combination of HUD housing vouchers and wider veterans services. Their VA programs for homeless veterans also include employment support, health care access and more. If you need immediate access to VA services, the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is available 24/7.
Many VA benefits are also available to members of the National Guard and Reserve, whether you’re engaged in active duty or serving the traditional two weeks per year.
15. Modest Needs Foundation
This nonprofit recognizes the many tough challenges that veterans can face when returning to civilian life. Their Homecoming Heroes Grant can be used to help with paying monthly mortgage or rent bills, or to cover a one-time emergency expense. The goal of this grant is to promote veteran self-sufficiency and prevent them from entering poverty upon returning from active duty.
Need more veteran financial support? Crowdfunding can fill in the gaps
The US government and nonprofits have long sought to provide emergency financial help for veterans who have bravely fought for our country. But sometimes that assistance can fall short, or fail to provide the specific resources that many need to get back on their feet. To offset expenses not covered by these programs, countless veterans and military families have turned to crowdfunding.
Through online fundraising platforms like GoFundMe, veterans can raise money for the things that they need most. All donations go directly to the fundraiser organizer, and can immediately be withdrawn to cover the most pressing costs—whether that’s access to a service dog, counseling, addiction treatment, mental health services or out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Are you wondering how you can support veterans this Veterans Day? Friends, family and allies of veterans can start fundraisers on their behalf to provide financial help for veterans.
Why Choose GoFundMe for your veteran fundraiser?
- Unlike many veterans benefits programs, GoFundMe does not enforce eligibility requirements.
- Your donations are protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee policy, ensuring complete safety and unparalleled peace of mind.
- Funds are processed and sent within just a few days of receiving donations.
- Our sharing tools make it easy to ask for help from your entire network of friends and family members, and even spread your story through social media or email.
- Read our detailed guide to how GoFundMe works to learn more about the platform, and to find helpful answers to all your fundraising questions.
Veteran crowdfunding success stories
Help my elderly vet friend Donald!
Donald is a 91-year-old, disabled Airforce veteran who acts as a full time carer for his wife, who was recently diagnosed with dementia. After his landlord raised their rent and put Donald further behind in paying his bills, the fear of displacement and losing his wife to a care home became overwhelming. Donald’s friend Jenelle Marie decided to appeal to the power of community, and launched a GoFundMe page with an ambitious fundraising target of $450,000. After just a few short months of crowdfunding—and with the help of some lucky media attention—Donald’s veteran fundraiser spread far and wide, and their massive fundraising goal was surpassed.
Help U.S. Air Force Veteran DILLON MCCORMICK retire at 90!!!
On a blazingly hot Memorial Day in the parking lot of a Louisiana grocery store, one local woman spotted Dillion McCormick—a 90-year-old US Air Force veteran—pushing shopping carts back and forth. Social security payments were falling far short of what Dillon needed to live, forcing him to make ends meet by spending hours re-organising carts. Shocked at what this veteran was being forced to endure, Karen Swensen—the bystander who spotted him—turned to GoFundMe. Within just six months, a life-changing $240,000 was raised and Dillon now enjoys a far more comfortable standard of living.
Please help a Veteran through heart surgery
Extensive medical costs can be a major struggle for anyone, but for 52-year-old veteran Robert Treat—it was a matter of life and death. Facing double bypass surgery and lacking the family, friends and funds to see him through the recovery process, Robert enlisted the help of strangers by starting a GoFundMe. After successfully hitting his fundraising target of $25,000, Robert has since been able to afford a move to Oklahoma, where he will be able to receive reliable, ongoing medical care.
Find veteran financial support today
GoFundMe makes it easy to ask for help when you need it most. If you’re a struggling veteran and don’t know where else to turn, we’re here to help you find financial relief and the hope that comes along with it.
Whether you’re a veteran in need or just looking to offer your support, crowdfunding allows you to raise funds and make a lasting difference. Check out our GoFundMe Heroes story on “Making a House a Home for Veterans” for more inspiration, and sign up to create your fundraiser today.