Additional Resources for Servicemembers and Veterans

Federal

• U.S. Department of Defense
  • Military OneSource.
    • Military OneSource is a Department of Defense funded website designed to help improve the quality of life for troops and their families. It includes information on education, housing, legal matters, personal finances and benefits.


• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs


• Board of Veterans Appeals


• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Information specifically for veterans
• Federal Trade Commission Consumer Sentinel/Military
  • The FTC website provides consumer education materials covering a wide range of consumer protection issues. In addition, its Consumer Sentinel/Military feature allows members of the United States Armed Forces to enter consumer complaints directly into a database that is accessible to law enforcement organizations, the Department of Defense, and other military law enforcement.


• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • Information regarding financial issues affecting servicemembers, veterans and their families. This site provides educational materials on a variety of financial issues and also allows consumers to submit complaints.


• U.S. Department of Labor VETS
  • Provides employment resources for veterans and separating servicemembers and information about their employment rights.

New York State

• New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs


• New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
  • See "Military Corner" of website for information on grants and scholarships for higher education available to servicemembers and veterans.


• New York State Veterans Courts 
  • Addresses the needs of veterans involved in the criminal justice system.

Other Resources

• Better Business Bureau ("BBB") Military Line - Provides military related consumer news and alerts, and general consumer education and advocacy materials to servicemembers and their families.
  • Individuals can also file complaints and requests reports on businesses through the BBB site.
• Military.com
  • Includes information for servicemembers, military families and veterans on government benefits and scholarships.


• Defense Suicide Prevention Office:
  Part of the Department of Defense’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Aims to reduce the impact of suicide on servicemembers and their families.


• Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program:
  Resources for National Guard and Reserve servicemembers and their families.

Legal Resources

• National Veterans Legal Service Program
  • This is a non- profit organization that "recruits, trains and assists thousands of lawyer and non-lawyer advocates who represent veterans and active duty and military personnel for free." The organization also publishes informational materials geared towards veterans, servicemembers, their families and advocates.


• The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program:
  Provides pro bono assistance to veterans who have filed appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Court.


• The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel
  • The Committee "improves access to pro bono civil legal assistance for active duty military personnel." Also offers publications on the rights of servicemembers.


• National Organization of Veterans' Advocates:
  Assists veterans who seek legal advice regarding service-connected disability compensation.


• Association of the Bar of the City of New York Veterans Assistance Project:
  Provides pro bono legal assistance to low income veterans bringing claims for disability benefits before the New York City Regional Office of Veterans Affairs. Also operates a toll-free line for veterans seeking basic information about their legal rights.


• LawHelp:
  Helps low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in their communities and answers questions about their legal rights.