We owe deep gratitude to the brave men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Unfortunately, adjusting to civilian life can be difficult for military veterans, leading to financial and lifestyle hardships for many.
To help veterans who may be struggling, we’ve compiled this list of organizations and resources to help navigate these challenges.
The following organizations and programs offer or connect military veterans with financial assistance to help meet basic expenses.
The National Association of American Veterans, Inc. (NAAV) : This group’s Military Family Program focuses on helping caregivers of veterans. The NAAV’s Veterans Assistance Program also provides emotional and financial support to veterans’ families.
VFW’s Unmet Needs Program : The VFW’s Unmet Needs program provides grants to help with basic living expenses for veteran and military families.
Operation First Response : Their Military Family Assistance Program offers financial assistance to cover basic needs while veterans and their families go through the VA claim process.
Semper Fi & America’s Fund : This fund lends support via financial assistance and support to wounded, ill and injured members of the U.S. military. The group’s Family Support Program also offers funds for housing, transportation, caregiver support and more.
The American Red Cross : Working in partnership with Military Aid Societies, the American Red Cross facilitates financial assistance to eligible veterans, military servicemembers and families.
The Wounded Warrior Project : The WWP can help vets learn the basics of personal finance including budgeting, saving, managing debt and long-term goal planning.
Additional Financial Resources for Veterans : We compiled this extensive list of financial resources available for veterans, including organizations that provide financial support.
Combat Female Veterans : Female combat veterans transitioning into civilian life can find help with basic living expenses through the group’s emergency relief fund.
Dixon Center : The Dixon Center offers one-time grants to female veterans and their families going through financial hardship. Funds can be used to cover costs of things including housing, gas, work training and more.
Veterans bring a wealth of skills and experience to the workforce. If you’re a veteran searching for employment or career assistance, the following organizations can help.
eMentor: An online mentorship program that assists veterans and other military personnel in navigating the civilian workforce.
Hire Heroes USA: A nonprofit organization that offers job and employment services for veterans, military personnel and spouses.
HirePurpose: A job board launched by veterans for veterans that works to connect vets with employment and support them in the civilian workforce.
Veterans make up about 11% of the adult homeless population in the U.S., with another 1.4 million veterans at risk of homelessness. If you’re a homeless vet in need of housing help or struggling to keep a roof over your head, you can find assistance with the following organizations and resources.
Veterans Inc.: This group’s housing program assists veterans in finding local housing, as well as getting connected with employment training, legal and medical advice and more.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD-VASH): This program helps find permanent housing for veterans across the country using a combination of HUD housing vouchers and VA services.
Modest Needs Foundation: For veterans who recently returned from an overseas deployment, the foundation’s Homecoming Heroes Grant provides help with the rent, mortgage or one-time emergency expense.
VA Home Loans: The VA offers home loans and grants to service members, veterans and surviving spouses to buy, refinance or modify their homes.
Disabled Veteran Housing Assistance: Veterans with certain age-related or service-connected disabilities may qualify for special VA housing grants to:
• Build an adapted home
• Install ramps or widen doors
• Make other necessary modifications to help you live independently
Planning a budget will help you allocate and stretch your financial resources in the coming weeks and months.
Our expenses calculator can help you quickly put together a basic budget.
Be sure you budget includes fixed, variable and periodic expenses.
Here are tips to help you plan a workable budget and how to budget with inconsistent income.
When money is tight, here’s the order in which to pay bills.
If you’re struggling with credit card or other debt, we encourage you to contact creditors and lenders to discuss any available options. The quicker you act, the more options you’ll have available.
You may also find help with a free credit counseling session. Receive a personalized action plan outlining your best options for paying off debt.
For additional credit card and debt issues, here is a collection of blogs and other resources you may find helpful.
You may be able to negotiate lower credit card interest rates.
If your income is temporarily reduced, consider credit card hardship programs.
Some tips to get through a cash crunch without using credit cards.
A credit card cash advance might come in handy, but try these alternatives first.
Here are some blogs and resources to help save on food and cut down on grocery waste.
Here’s how to avoid letting food go to waste.
Review some creative ways to stretch your food budget.
See what to keep in a well-stocked pantry.
Here’s a list of tasty and nutritious recipes made from pantry staples.
Veterans are often targeted by scammers. Read our list of common veteran scams and how to avoid them.
Veterans may find assistance and support with these additional community resources.
