Legal Services for Veterans Programs
Overview
Veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness often face legal issues that make it difficult for them to obtain or maintain stable housing. The Legal Services for Veterans (LSV) program aims to increase access to legal services to eligible Veterans through the award of grant funds and by promoting Medical Legal Partnerships and VA-affiliated legal clinics throughout the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). LSV is a component of the Veterans Justice Programs (VJP) within the VHA Homeless Programs Office.
The new Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grants (LSV-Homeless) will enable VA to deliver legal services to these Veterans. Legal services – particularly civil legal services that support accessing government benefits, navigating family law, ensuring access to safe housing, and assisting with debt – can all be critical to resolving or preventing homelessness. View the LSV-Homeless Interim Final Rule.
In alignment with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness’s goal to End Veteran Homelessness, this grant program will assist in furthering access to legal services for Veterans. LSV-Homeless is authorized under section 4202 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-315), signed into law on January 5, 2021. LSV-Homeless is further codified in 38 U.S.C. 2022A.
The grant application period is closed. Please check back later for important updates.
VA anticipates organizations will be able to apply for grants worth up to $150,000 and may apply to renew awards from year-to-year throughout the length of the program. Grants may be awarded to public or nonprofit private entities with the capacity to effectively administer the grant and provide qualifying legal services to Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
Some legal services that may be provided under these grants are:
- Legal services related to housing
- Legal services related to family law
- Legal services related to income support
- Legal services related to criminal defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness
- Legal services to request an upgrade to the character of discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces
- Legal services related to access to health care
- Legal services related to employment law
VA may prioritize grant awards to organizations serving rural communities, trust lands, Native Americans, and tribal organizations. In any fiscal year, not less than 10% of grant funds shall be used to provide legal services to women Veterans.
For more information about the Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program, read our one-page overview or contact LSV@va.gov.
Additional Legal Services
If you are a service member or Veteran in need of legal assistance now, there are several resources available to assist you.
Please see the VA Office of General Counsel’s legal services page and listing of pro-bono legal clinics partnered with VA Medical Centers. The VA Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist at your nearest VA Medical Center may be able to tell you more about available clinics and other community legal assistance resources.
You may also visit StatesideLegal, ABA Federal Free Legal Answers, VetLex or ABA Pro Bono Resources for Veterans.
Please note: VA assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the legal service providers that appear on this list. VA does not endorse or recommend any of these organizations.
FAQs
Organizations that will be able to qualify include public or nonprofit private entities with the capacity to effectively administer the grant under section 4202 of P.L. 116-315 and as codified in 38 U.S.C. 2022A. Public entities include local governments, state governments, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments.
VA may prioritize grant awards to organizations serving rural communities, trust lands, Native Americans, and tribal organizations. In any fiscal year, not less than 10% of grant funds shall be used to provide legal services to women Veterans.
Grants will be awarded to organizations that provide legal services for homeless and at risk for homeless Veterans who are eligible, including primarily legal services related to housing, family law, income support, requested upgrade to the character of discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces, access to health care, and employment law.
Eligible individuals include Veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness who have a need for legal services authorized under the grant program.
The grant application period closed on December 30, 2022. Grants will be awarded once all required regulatory, financial, and administrative tasks are completed.
No, LSV-Homeless is not part of SSVF and is not tied to nor led by SSVF. LSV-Homeless is a standalone VA grant program specifically created pursuant to Section 4202 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, P.L. 116-315.
38 CFR 79 for the LSV-Homeless grant can be found at the Federal Register.
For more information, contact us as lsv@va.gov
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Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can call or visit their local VA Medical Center (VAMC) and ask for a Homeless Coordinator. Use the VA locator tool www.va.gov/directory to find your nearest VAMC and call or visit today.
