An active tornado season, historic flooding and other severe weather have impacted millions of Americans this year. As we step into a strong forecasted hurricane season, it’s important for Veterans and their families to know that the VA is here to help. In the wake of a disaster, here are some resources available to you.
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential support is available 24/7 for Veterans in crisis by phone, text, or chat:
- Dial 988 then Press 1.
- Send a text to 838255.
- Chat Online.
- Support for deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889.
Housing Assistance
If you or a Veteran you know needs immediate housing assistance in the aftermath of a natural disaster, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, available 24/7: 1-877-4AID VETS (1-877-424-3838).
VA Contact Information
Reach us with any VA related questions or for information at:
- MyVA411 main information line 24/7: 1-800-698-2411.
- Ask VA.
Health Care
You can visit any VA facility for help and some may offer mobile support vehicles in your disaster area to offer easy access to health care and prescription refills.
- Check out the Find VA locations tool to locate a facility closest to you.
- VA may also stage Public Contact Teams at local shelters or in Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to connect Veterans with needed health care and benefits, to include housing case management.
- VA health benefits hotline is staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET: 1-877-222-8387.
- Natural disasters may impact your ability to reach us via phone. If you think your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you have non-urgent/emergency questions, you can reach VA through My HealtheVet secure messaging for appointment scheduling, prescription refills and to access your medical records.
- If you do not have a My HealtheVet account, take time and register today. Do not forget to opt-in to receive email notifications for Secure Messaging.
- VA supports Caregivers! Contact your local facility or the Caregiver’s Support Line: 1-855-260-3274.
- Check out this toolkit to assist Caregivers plan for and react to natural disasters.
Benefits and Compensation
- Unable to get a benefit payment after a disaster? Contact the VA National Call Center and learn how to request a special one-time payment: 1-800-827-1000.
- VA can ask home loan lenders to put a 90-day freeze on foreclosure or encourage waiving late charges for VA home loans. Visit the VA home loans webpage to learn more.
- If your school closes temporarily due to a disaster, VA may continue payments. Contact GI Bill specialists at: 1-888-442-4551.
- If you are a displaced Veteran and receive employment services from VA, you may qualify for two additional months of Employee Adjustment Allowance (EAA).
- Contact your local VA Regional Office to speak with your local Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Specialist to learn more.
- VA Specially Adapted Housing Program may be able to assist you to fund home repairs after a disaster, following FEMA and insurance. Reach Adapted Housing at 1-877-827-3702.
- If a disaster caused the loss of a previously adaptable automobile, VA may be able to help after insurance. Contact us at 1-800-827-1000.
- Mail Contingency. If natural disasters disrupt the timeliness of VA receiving your important claims paperwork or gathering information from you, know that VA will not penalize you for subsequent mail delays. You may also submit claims and upload any other relevant information through your VA.gov account.
VA’s Office of Emergency Management drives a comprehensive emergency management program at all VA facilities to ensure continuity of benefits and health care for Veterans. While we shared quite a few resources above, it is important to work with your local VA teams so they can fully support you following a natural disaster.
> Learn more about disaster assistance resources for Veterans.