Attorney
Eight percent of the total veteran population of the United States lives in California. 1.8 million American veterans make California their home. When you add in their families, this is a massive number of people who have served their country. If you or a family member is a veteran living in California, you need to know what benefits are available to veterans and their families.
California provides a broad range of benefits for veterans and their families, through both state programs and joint federal-state programs. These benefits and services include assistance with education, employment, health care and housing, in addition to disability benefits for service-related impairments. An experienced veteran’s benefits lawyer can help walk you through your options.
Education Benefits for California Veterans
California veterans can access generous educational benefits, such as:
- California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE), which approves and monitors GI Bill benefits for veterans and their dependents to get a college education or complete job training programs.
- California Community Colleges (CCC), and most University of California and California State University campuses participate in funding programs that can provide up to 100% of fees for veterans of survivors.
- California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNGEAAP) provides up to 100% tuition for qualifying members of the California Army, Air National Guard or State Military Reserve.
- California State University (CSU) system bends over backward to help veterans and their families achieve their goals.
- College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents program at any California community college, UC or CSU campus gives a waiver of mandatory system-wide tuition and fees.
- Montgomery GI Bill offers educational benefits for up to 36 months.
- California community colleges, UC and CSU campuses will waive non-resident fees through the Non-Resident College Fee Waiver program.
- Post 9/11 GI Bill, also called Chapter 33, assists with both education and housing.
California Veterans Employment Benefits
California provides numerous employment resources for veterans. A few examples are the Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (DVBE) program that assists disabled veteran businesses, state and federal employment assistance programs, veteran’s preference programs, apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs, and state employment programs.
Health Care and Disability Programs for California Veterans
California has eight State Veterans Homes to provide long-term care for those who served our country. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) helps with the cost of health care and supplies. California veterans can get assistance from specialized programs, such as the Depleted Uranium program and the Agent Orange program. Covered California is a way for veterans and their families to get health care coverage. California veterans have access to several dental plan options.
Veterans and their families can get counseling benefits. The Veterans Crisis Line provides an online chat service for veterans and their loved ones.
Veterans who suffer disability from service-related illnesses, in