Vet Centers
Overview
Vet Centers provide counseling and support services to servicemembers, veterans, and their families, designed to feel like community care rather than institutional healthcare.
Pro Tip: Vet Centers are separate from VA Medical Centers and focus on readjustment counseling. Smaller, less bureaucratic, combat-vet focused. If the big VA hospital feels overwhelming, try a Vet Center first.
Eligibility Requirements
Veterans must meet at least one of these criteria:
- Served on active duty in combat theaters or areas of hostility
- Experienced military sexual trauma (MST)
- Provided direct emergency medical care or mortuary services during active duty
- Served as unmanned aerial vehicle crew member supporting combat operations
- Vietnam Era Veteran (non-combat) who used Vet Center before January 2, 2013
- Family members seeking help with military-related readjustment issues or bereavement counseling
Important: VA health care enrollment or disability compensation is not required.
Common Combat Theaters/Areas of Hostility
World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Desert Storm/Shield, Bosnia, Kosovo, former Yugoslavia operations, Global War on Terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and other designated hostile areas.
Services Offered
- Military sexual trauma counseling
- Readjustment and bereavement counseling
- Employment counseling
- Substance abuse assessment and referral
- Military-to-civilian transition support
- Individual, group, marriage, and family counseling
- Suicide prevention services
- VBA benefits explanation and referral
- Medical screening and referral (TBI, depression, etc.)
Cost
FREE
Finding a Vet Center
Use the VA facility locator tool to find your nearest location.
24/7 Support
Call 877-927-8387 to speak with a combat veteran counselor anytime, year-round.
FAQs
Can VA Access Treatment Records? Vet Center records require written authorization before sharing. Privacy is protected except in crisis situations.
Can Vet Center Staff Access VHA Records? Yes, they can access Veterans Health Administration records.
Are Vet Center Employees VA Staff? Yes, though they operate with substantial independence from main VHA operations.
References
38 CFR § 17.2000 - Vet Center services