Vet Center Eligibility
Any Veterans and current service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve components, are eligible if any of the following applies:
- Have served on active military duty in any combat theater or area of hostility∗ (see footnote)
- Experienced a military sexual trauma (regardless of gender or service era)
- Provided mortuary services or direct emergent medical care to treat the casualties of war while serving on active military duty
- Performed as a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle crew that provided direct support to operations in a combat theater or area of hostility
- Accessed care at a Vet Center prior to Jan. 2, 2013, as a Vietnam-Era Veteran
- Served on active military duty in response to a national emergency or major disaster declared by the president, or under orders of the governor or chief executive of a state in response to a disaster or civil disorder in that state
- Are a current or former member of the Coast Guard who participated in a drug interdiction operation, regardless of the location
- Are a current member of the Reserve Components assigned to a military command in a drilling status, including active Reserves, who has a behavioral health condition or psychological trauma related to military service that adversely effects quality of life or adjustment to civilian life.
- Any Veteran or service member pursuing a course of education using covered educational assistance benefits is eligible if they have a readjustment counseling need that is related to the individual's military service and hinders the individual's adjustment to either their civilian life, ongoing military service, or educational settings.
Our services are also available to family members when their participation would support the growth and goals of the Veteran or service member.
We also offer bereavement services to family members:
- of a Veteran who was receiving Vet Center services at the time of the Veteran’s death,
- to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty, and
- to family members of Veterans or service members who die by suicide.
We look for reasons and means to qualify individuals rather than turn them away. If someone is found to not meet our eligibility, we will work with them to find available community resources that may be more suitable for that individual. If we are unable to help you, we will find someone who can.
∗ Service in combat theater or area of hostility to include but not limited to: World War II (including American Merchant Marines); Korean War; Vietnam War; Lebanon; Grenada; Desert Storm; Desert Shield; Bosnia; Kosovo; Operations in the former Yugoslavia area; Global War on Terrorism; Operation Enduring Freedom; Operation Freedom's Sentinel; Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Operation New Dawn
