Veterans

Publications

• Disability Benefits For Wounded Warriors – A flyer from Social Security Administration that helps you find out how you can receive expedited processing of your disability claim from Social Security if you became disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001.
• A Guide to Employing Veterans with TBI & PTSD 
• VCE Inpatient Care Team Fact Sheet – This fact sheet is intended to assist all who provide direct inpatient care to blind or visually impaired Service members or Veterans.

Helpful Links

Services

• Veterans Crisis Line – 800-273-8255, press 1 – The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.
• Operation Stand Down Tennessee – Service offered across the state for veterans including transitional housing, counseling, and other services.
• Lawyers Serving Warriors – Free legal help to assist veterans with two types of disability claims: applications for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and applications to the Physical Disability Board of Review for an increase in the military disability rating.
• Apply for VA Benefits 
• VA Caregiver Support 
• Online Tennessee Justice – A private messaging service where volunteer attorneys answer legal questions for persons with low income.
• Department of Veterans Affairs – Veteran’s Justice Outreach Specialist: Torrie Dorschug, LCSW  Cell:  423-915-6653, email Torrie.Dreier@va.gov .
• Department of Veteran Affairs Homeless Hotline – If a veteran is homeless or imminently homeless, facing eviction, or just out of prison and homeless, they can call this hotline for assistance (877) 424-3838.
  • National VA Homeless Programs.
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Information. 
• Tennessee Department of Veterans Services – TN Dept of Veterans Services assist veterans and surviving spouses in filing applications for Service Connected Disabilities, Improved Pension Benefits with Housebound or Aid and Attendance, Healthcare Enrollment, Educational, Home Loan, and Burial Benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Local Legal Aid Offices:
  • Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands – A private, non-profit organization that provides free legal services to people with low income.
  • West Tennessee Legal Services – A non-profit organization that provides assistance in civil cases to individuals, families, and communities
  • Legal Aid of East Tennessee – Provides civil legal services ranging from information and advice to complex litigation and appellate advocacy to low income persons, seniors, and victims of domestic violence.
  • Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services – A statewide nonprofit organization delivering civil legal help to vulnerable Tennesseans.
  • Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. – Provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low income and elderly persons.
  • Community Legal Services – Offers lower income individuals and families in the Memphis area an affordable way to get legal assistance.

Information

• Tennessee Disability Pathfinder – A statewide clearinghouse of disability-related resources.
• HELP4TN (Legal Information for Tennesseans)  – Online Legal Information and Self-Help
• 2-1-1 – Tennessee’s community services help line.  You may reach them by dialing 211 from any phone.
• Memory Care – Memory care resources for veterans.