Veteran Resources

Help, Benefits & Useful Links

Official government sites and nationally recognized organizations, organized so you can find what you need quickly. If you're not sure where to start, contact the chapter — someone will help you find the right door.

Veteran in crisis or worried about one?

Call 988, then Press 1

Text 838255

The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — for Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who care about them. You do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care. Support is also available by online chat. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Call 988, Press 1 Text 838255 Veterans Crisis Line (VA)

Official Sites

U.S. Armed Forces

Official .mil destinations for every branch of the United States Armed Forces.

Soldiers in field gear moving across a green training field at first light

U.S. Army

Official site of the United States Army

Visit army.mil Opens in a new tab

Marines in scarlet and gold dress uniforms marching in formation

U.S. Marine Corps

Official site of the United States Marine Corps

Visit marines.mil Opens in a new tab

A Navy destroyer underway on open blue ocean water

U.S. Navy

Official site of the United States Navy

Visit navy.mil Opens in a new tab

Fighter jets flying in formation across a bright blue sky

U.S. Air Force

Official site of the United States Air Force

Visit af.mil Opens in a new tab

A satellite in orbit above Earth against a starfield

U.S. Space Force

Official site of the United States Space Force

Visit spaceforce.mil Opens in a new tab

A white Coast Guard cutter with a red racing stripe cutting through ocean water

U.S. Coast Guard

Official site of the United States Coast Guard

Visit uscg.mil Opens in a new tab

National Guard

Official site of the National Guard

Visit nationalguard.mil Opens in a new tab

Benefits & Programs

Veteran Support

VA benefits and health care, the American Legion, and Michigan-specific Legion resources.

Large formation of American Legion Riders motorcycles on a sunny small-town street with American flags and a road captain in a high-visibility vest

American Legion Riders (National)

About the American Legion Riders program

Ride With Us Opens in a new tab

An American flag flying in front of a columned federal building

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Main VA site — accounts, claims, and services

Explore VA.gov Opens in a new tab

Worn service boots and dog tags beside benefit paperwork on a wooden table

VA Benefits

Disability compensation, education, and benefit programs

Explore Benefits Opens in a new tab

A doctor with a stethoscope speaking warmly with an older veteran patient

VA Health Care

Eligibility, enrollment, and VA medical care

Get Care Info Opens in a new tab

A veteran standing quietly at a lakeshore at golden hour

VA National Center for PTSD

Education, self-help tools, and treatment information

Learn More Opens in a new tab

Veterans shaking hands and talking in a community hall with American flags

The American Legion

National organization of the American Legion

Visit legion.org Opens in a new tab

Michigan Great Lakes shoreline with a lighthouse and long suspension bridge

Department of Michigan American Legion

Michigan department of the American Legion

Visit Michigan Legion Opens in a new tab

An open Michigan two-lane highway with a Michigan-shaped road sign

VA Michigan Facility Locator

Find VA medical centers and clinics near Sanford

Find a Location Opens in a new tab

A veterans service officer helping a veteran review benefit paperwork at a county office desk

Midland County Veterans Office

County veteran service office for Midland County benefits and claims help

Visit Midland County VSO Opens in a new tab

A person signing in securely to an account on a laptop

eBenefits / VA.gov Sign-In

Access your VA records and claims online

Rows of white military headstones with small American flags on green grass

National Cemetery Administration

Burial benefits, headstones, and memorials

Learn More Opens in a new tab

Mental Health

PTSD, Mental Health & Substance Use

Treatment information, self-help tools, and confidential helplines from VA and federal partners.

Two servicemen in field uniforms clasping hands and forearms, showing military camaraderie and mutual support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Nationwide crisis support for anyone in distress

Get Help Now Opens in a new tab

An older veteran talking with a supportive counselor in a bright room

VA Mental Health

VA mental health programs and how to get care

Get Help Opens in a new tab

A support group sitting in a circle in a bright, sunlit room

VA PTSD Treatment Options

Evidence-based PTSD treatment explained

Explore Treatment Opens in a new tab

Two veterans sitting outdoors talking and laughing together

Make the Connection

Veteran stories and local resource locator

Hear Their Stories Opens in a new tab

A helpline operator wearing a headset in a bright call center

SAMHSA National Helpline

Free, confidential treatment referral — 1-800-662-4357

Call for Referral Opens in a new tab

A counselor and a man in recovery talking in a bright, plant-filled room

VA Substance Use Treatment

Alcohol and drug treatment through VA

Find Treatment Opens in a new tab

Housing

Homelessness & Housing Assistance

Immediate housing help, prevention programs, and VA-backed home loan information.

A volunteer handing house keys and a blanket to a grateful veteran on a porch

VA Homeless Programs

Housing help for veterans at risk or experiencing homelessness

Get Housing Help Opens in a new tab

A friendly support representative wearing a phone headset

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

24/7 support — 1-877-424-3838

Call 1-877-424-3838 Opens in a new tab

House keys held in front of an American home with a flag on the porch

VA Home Loans

VA-backed home loan and refinancing programs

Explore Home Loans Opens in a new tab

A case manager helping a veteran move boxes into a new apartment

HUD-VASH Program

Housing vouchers paired with VA case management

Learn More Opens in a new tab

Family

Caregiver & Family Support

Resources for spouses, children, caregivers, and survivors of those who served.

An adult daughter sitting with and caring for her elderly veteran father at home

VA Caregiver Support Program

Training, respite, and support for family caregivers

Support for Caregivers Opens in a new tab

A woman on a phone call at a sunny kitchen table with family photos nearby

Coaching Into Care

Free coaching for families helping a veteran seek care

Start a Conversation Opens in a new tab

A service member reuniting joyfully with their spouse and two children

Military OneSource

Support for service members, families, and survivors

Explore Support Opens in a new tab

A folded American flag in a wooden display case beside white flowers

VA Survivor Benefits

Benefits for surviving spouses, children, and parents

Explore Benefits Opens in a new tab

Volunteers packing care boxes with small American flags in a community hall

American Legion Auxiliary

Family-side programs of the American Legion Family

Visit the Auxiliary Opens in a new tab

Three generations of an American family standing together in front of a flag

Sons of The American Legion

Programs for male descendants of veterans

Learn More Opens in a new tab

A Note About These Links

This page is provided for informational purposes only. Sanford American Legion Riders Chapter #443 does not operate, endorse, or control the content of external websites, and nothing here should be treated as medical, legal, or financial advice. Benefit eligibility and program details are determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other administering agencies.

In an emergency, call 911. For crisis support, call 988 and press 1 or text 838255.

Know a resource that belongs on this page? Let the chapter know.