Library Veterans Resources
Click here for
Inyo County Veterans Services
Additional veterans resources collected by the library can be found below.
VETERANS RESOURCE TOPICS:
- WHERE TO START FOR VETERANS BENEFITS, ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION
- HOTLINES, COUNSELING & MENTAL HEALTH
- LEGAL ASSISTANCE
- VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
- VETERANS SERVICE RECORDS
- EMPLOYMENT
- PUBLICATIONS
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
- VETERAN DESIGNATION AND ID CARD
- IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION
- FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
- HISTORY & VETERANS STUDIES
WHERE TO START FOR VETERANS BENEFITS, ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION
Veteran Services | Inyo County California The Veterans Service Office acts as an advocate, provides counseling and assistance for the men and women who served in the Armed Forces of America, their dependents and their survivors relative to federal, state and local benefits entitled to them by law. The Veterans service office is now open. The office remains closed to face-to-face appointments and walk-ins due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please call (760) 873-7850 with all of your questions or concerns. You can also send an email to ICVSO@inyocounty.us or ggreene@inyocounty.us.
VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs Access and manage your VA benefits and health care.
Veterans Health Care: VA’s Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care network in the United States, with 1,255 health care facilities serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
Veterans Benefits: Veterans can earn a range of benefits that help them transition back to civilian life in the country they fought to defend. Through the Veterans Benefits Administration, VA helps service members transition out of military service, and assists with education, home loans, life insurance and much more.
National Cemeteries: The job of the National Cemetery Administration is to make sure those who served this nation are never forgotten. NCA provides dignified burial services for Veterans and eligible family members by maintaining 142 cemeteries as national shrines and providing lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our nation.
eBenefits is the gateway to benefit information from the Department of Veterans Affairs. eBenefits Fact Sheet. Defense Self-Service (DS) Logon makes it easy for you to access your information contained across DoD and VA partner websites. By signing up for a free premium account, you can view your financial and benefits information; Personally Identifiable Information (PII); Personal Health Information (PHI); claim statuses and records. Frequently Asked Questions about registering for Defense-Self-Service.
CalVet is the California state government agency for veterans. CalVet offers a variety of services to honorably discharged veterans from residency in one of our state Veterans Homes to helping you purchase a home through our Farm and Home Loan program. This department also advocates for veterans, providing information and representation before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There are many services, benefits and preferences provided to you by the people of California as a way to honor your service…explore this site and find out what you may have been missing.
CalVet continues to offer many online training opportunities. Veterans, volunteers, VA Work Study, and staff are invited to attend any events including those at colleges: CCalVet's CalTAP Training / CalVet events page. If you can’t attend a particular CalTAP workshop of interest, check out their archives.
VetNow provides support for veterans and their families with navigating the VA bureaucracy, providing academic tutoring, and employment transition assistance.
Brainfuse VetNow is an all-in-one suite of services designed for a wide range of veteran needs: whether it’s updating a resume for civilian life, navigating the VA system, or seeking local resources and support for veterans and their families. VetNow services include expert coaching and self-study tools to empower users. Users may access live, on-demand assistance from expert Job Coaches or Veteran Navigators. With VetNow, users communicate in real time in our online whiteboard by typing, drawing, and marking-up lessons and web content. Plus, users can use our secure file sharing feature in the resume lab to submit career documents to our Job Coaches any time of the day.
The Brainfuse full-service test center offers practice tests for all levels in math, reading, and writing as well as college preparatory tests - including the SAT.
Requires a library card--SIGN UP NOW FOR A LIBRARY E-CARD.
HOTLINES, COUNSELING & MENTAL HEALTH
Veterans Crisis Line: Suicide Prevention Hotline, Text & Chat Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. This free support is confidential and available every day, 24/7. Available by phone, online chat, or text messaging.
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans - Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Free Help for Homeless Veterans. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness—and their family members, friends and supporters—can make the call to or chat online with the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, where trained counselors are ready to talk confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
NAMI Homefront | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions. Based on the nationally recognized NAMI Family-to-Family program, NAMI Homefront is designed to address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country. The program is taught by trained family members of service members/veterans with mental health conditions. Available online.
PTSD: National Center for PTSD Home The VA’s National Center for PTSD is the world's leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD and traumatic stress. PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault. It's normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after this type of event. If symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. The good news is that there are effective treatments.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is a nonprofit organization that has worked since 1981 to ensure that the government delivers to our nation's 22 million veterans and active duty personnel the benefits to which they are entitled because of disabilities resulting from their military service to our country. The NVLSP includes The National Veterans Legal Services Program’s pro bono program-Lawyers Serving Warriors® (LSW)-assists service members and veterans with applications for disability benefits, both at the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans and Military | LawHelpCA.org legal assistance for veterans provided by the CA State Bar and Legal Aid Association of California
StatesideLegal This website has been designed especially to help low-income service members, veterans and their families. For that reason, they focus on legal services that are available free of charge. StatesideLegal has indexed the three largest networks of free legal aid serving servicemembers, veterans and their families providing a mapped search of their database. There are also self-help tools available.
CalVet Veteran Services Legal Assistance page
Legal Resources for Veterans and Service Members from The State Bar of California.
California Courts Self-Help Center This California Courts Online Self-Help Center helps you in seeking assistance and information when representing yourself in some legal matters. This site can help you understand what happens at court. You will learn about court procedures, find forms, and links to other important resources. California Courts--Resources for Veterans page.
VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Wounded Warrior Resource Center for Veterans | WWP The WWP mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors who incurred a physical or mental injury, illnesses, or wound, co-incident to your military service on or after September 11, 2001. You may also be eligible for the program if you are the family member or caregiver of a Wounded Warrior.
The American Legion a U.S. Veterans Association The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.
AMVETS National Headquarters - A Veteran Service Organization AMVETS, which is also known as American Veterans, is the most inclusive Congressionally-chartered veterans service organization open to representing the interests of 20 million veterans and their families. We are veterans serving veterans since 1944. Membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who honorably served or is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves.
Military Order of the Purple Heart The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, NY and dedicated to collecting, preserving and recognizing service men and women who were awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. - VFW The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces. The VFW offers a wide range of assistance programs aimed at helping veterans of every generation. Whether that means providing free, professional help filing or appealing a VA claim, offering scholarships for post-secondary education or providing emergency financial relief when times get tough, the VFW is there for America's veterans.
VETERANS SERVICE RECORDS
Request Military Service Records | National Archives If you've been discharged from military service, your personnel files are stored here at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). They are the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard. If you are a recently separated veteran, records can be found online via the VA eBenefits portal.
EMPLOYMENT
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Home You may receive Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Servicemembers in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment. To learn more about the VR&E program, review the VR&E Process page, and the tabs and links on this page. Click on the "How to Apply" tab to apply for VR&E services. VA's Education and Career Counseling program is a great opportunity for Veterans and Servicemembers to get personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths, ensure the most effective use of their VA benefits, and achieve their goals. Learn more and apply for education and career counseling.
VETS | U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment & Training Service (VETS) prepares America's veterans, service members and their spouses, for meaningful careers, provide them with employment resources and expertise, protect their employment rights and promote their employment opportunities.
CalVet Veteran Services State Employment
PUBLICATIONS
VA Publications - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs which includes Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors from the VA Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs.
CalVet Publications which includes The California Veterans Resource Book.
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VetResources - Resources for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors - VAntage Point Sign up for this weekly resource newsletter.
Resource list from NAMI Homefront includes military branch specific resources.
Veterans and Military Service Organizations and State Directors Directors of Veterans Affairs A directory of veterans service organizations (VSOs) provided by the VA.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Search IRIS FAQs Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS) of the VA has a searchable list of “frequently asked questions” (FAQs).
Veterans Connect @ the Library: Frequently Asked Questions from Vets to Librarians
VETERAN DESIGNATION AND ID CARD
CalVet Veteran Services Veteran Designation on California Driver License and ID Card Eligible veterans have the opportunity to add the word "VETERAN" to the front of their driver license or ID card to indicate that they have served in the U.S. Military. It can also play a critical role in enabling access to certain privileges, and benefits associated with being a veteran without having to carry and produce a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION
Naturalization Through Military Service | USCIS contains immigration information and links to resources specifically for members of the military and their families.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Military Consumer: A joint initiative to empower active duty and retired servicemembers, military families, veterans and civilians in the military community. Use their free resources as the first line of defense against fraud and make better-informed decisions when managing your money.
Serving servicemembers, veterans, and military families | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau CFPB’s Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) works to help military families overcome unique financial challenges by providing educational resources, monitoring complaints, and working with other agencies to solve problems faced by servicemembers.
CalVet Financial Assistance page
HISTORY & VETERANS STUDIES
Veterans History Project (Library of Congress) The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.
Journal of Veterans Studies The Journal of Veterans Studies is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal. The goals of the journal are to sustain international research in veterans studies, facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations, and narrow gaps between cultures, institutions, experiences, knowledge, and understanding. Topics within that investigation could include but are not limited to, combat exposure, reintegration challenges, and the complex systems and institutions (VA) that shape the veteran experience. Veterans studies, by its very nature, may analyze experiences closely tied to military studies, but the emphasis of veterans studies is the “veteran experience,” i.e., what happens after the service member departs the armed forces.
