US Veteran Support: Who to Call, With Verified VA Phone Numbers

For any US veteran question, the single number to remember is 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411). It is open 24 hours a day, every day, and an agent can transfer you to the right part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, dial 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255. Everything else in this guide is a direct line to a specialist team, which is faster when you already know what you need.

All numbers below were checked against official VA, Department of Defense and partner sources in October 2026. Hours are Eastern Time unless stated. For TTY, dial 711.

Who to call: the quick reference table

The main VA lines in more detail

MyVA411: the front door

MyVA411 routes callers across VA. Press 0 to reach a customer service agent who can answer questions or make a warm handoff to the right VA expert. Press 9 to reach a service recovery specialist if you have a complaint or concern about VA service. Agents can transfer you straight to the Veterans Crisis Line or the homeless veterans line.

VA benefits hotline

Call 800-827-1000 for disability compensation, pension, claims status and appeals. To file a disability claim yourself, VA accepts applications online, by mail on VA Form 21-526EZ, in person at a regional office, or through an accredited representative. If you file on paper, submitting an intent to file first can protect an earlier effective date while you gather evidence.

VA health benefits hotline

Call 877-222-8387 to apply for VA health care by phone, or to chase an application. VA says it usually decides within a week. Have your DD214 or equivalent discharge papers, Social Security numbers for you and your dependants, insurance card details, and last year's gross household income ready.

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line serves veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and the people who support them. You do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to use it. Overseas, call the number for your region: Europe (EUCOM) +1 844-702-5495, Pacific +1 844-702-5493, Central Command +1 855-422-7719, Africa +1 888-482-6054, South America +1 866-989-9599. On a US base, dial DSN 988.

VA Caregiver Support Line

The Caregiver Support Line (855-260-3274) explains caregiver services, offers short-term support for stress and burnout, and connects callers to their local VA caregiver support team. Call it first if you are new to VA or unsure about eligibility. For the comprehensive family caregiver programme (PCAFC), VA's eligibility rules include a VA disability rating of 70% or higher, a need for at least 6 months of continuous in-person personal care, and enrolment in VA health care. The caregiver must be 18 or older and a family member or someone who lives with the veteran.

Homeless veterans line

Call 877-424-3838 at any hour. A trained VA counsellor asks about your situation, identifies urgent needs and connects you to housing support and local VA staff. Family members, friends and community providers can also call or use the online chat on a veteran's behalf.

Getting help with a claim: VSOs and county officers

You can file VA claims yourself, or ask an accredited representative to help prepare and submit them. VA's Office of General Counsel accredits three types:

Use VA's Find a VA-accredited representative or VSO tool to check anyone who offers to help. VA's list of recognised VSOs runs to about 90 organisations, including Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, and most state departments of veterans affairs.

County Veterans Service Officers

County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) help veterans, widows, widowers and children with claims and benefits face to face at county offices. The National Association of County Veterans Service Officers is a VA-recognised organisation for preparing and presenting claims, and keeps a directory of county officers. CVSOs help whether you left the military last month or decades ago.

Military OneSource: who is eligible

Military OneSource is the Department of Defense's 24/7 support service (800-342-9647, plus secure live chat). Honourably discharged veterans of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force, and their immediate family, remain eligible until 365 days after the end of their tour of service or discharge date. The same 365-day window applies to honourably discharged or retired Coast Guard members. Surviving spouses who have not remarried and surviving children of service members who died on active duty or in the Guard or Reserve are also eligible. After the 365 days, Military OneSource directs veterans to VA.

US veterans living outside the United States

Where VA lists a separate overseas number, use it from abroad. From the UK or Europe, that means the Veterans Crisis Line's EUCOM number (+1 844-702-5495) and the GI Bill overseas line (001-918-781-5678). For questions about compensation or health care while you live overseas, see our guides to VA disability compensation abroad and VA care while studying overseas.