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

Vet Center Call Center

1-877-927-8387 is an around the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life. The staff is comprised of combat Veterans from several eras as well as families members of combat Veterans. This benefit is prepaid through the Veteran’s military service.

This PSA features Call Center Staff and was created by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, an Army Veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)

What is readjustment counseling?

Readjustment counseling is a wide range of psycho social services offered to eligible Veterans, service members, and their families in the effort to make a successful transition from military to civilian life.  They include:

• Individual and group counseling for Veterans, service members, and their families
• Family counseling for military related issues
• Bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death
• Military sexual trauma counseling and referral
• Outreach and education including PDHRA, community events, etc.
• Substance abuse assessment and referral
• Employment assessment & referral
• VBA benefits explanation and referral
• Screening & referral for medical issues including TBI, depression, etc.

Does VA have readjustment counseling for family members?

Family members of combat Veterans and service members have been eligible for Vet Center readjustment counseling services for military related issues since 1979.

Am I eligible for Vet Center readjustment counseling?

If you, or a family member, served in any combat zone and received a military campaign ribbon (Vietnam, Southwest Asia, OEF, OIF, etc.) then both you and your family are eligible for Vet Center services.

Where is counseling offered?

VA's readjustment counseling is provided at community-based Vet Centers located in easily accessible neighborhoods near Veterans, service members, and their families, yet separate from VA organizational sites to ensure confidential counseling and reduce barriers to care. All Vet Center services are prepaid through military service. Contact your nearest Vet Center through information provided in the Vet Center Directory or listings in your local blue pages. Vet Center team members are available toll free and around the clock at 877-927-8387.

Are Vet Centers open during non-traditional hours?

Yes, all Vet Centers maintain non-traditional appointment schedules, after normal business hours, to accommodate the schedules of Veterans, service members, and their family members.

VA Locations / Vet Centers

Find a VA location or in-network community care provider. For same-day care for minor illnesses or injuries, select Urgent care for facility type.

New York State Division of Veterans Affairs

250 Schermerhorn Street Room 211

Brooklyn , NY 11201

Phone: (718) 613-3735

(212)807-3162

Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm

NYC Department of Veteran Services

1 Centre Street, 22nd Floor, Suite 2213

New York, NY 10007

212-416-5250

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Bronx Vet Center

2471 Morris Avenue

Suite 1A

Bronx, NY 10468-5450

Direct line

718-367-3500

Brooklyn Vet Center

25 Chapel Street

Suite 604

Brooklyn, NY 11201-1954

Direct line

718-630-2830

Manhattan Vet Center

519 8th Avenue

Suite 2401

New York, NY 10018

Direct line

212-951-6866

Staten Island Vet Center

60 Bay Street

Staten Island, NY 10301

Direct line

718-816-4499

Rochester Vet Center

2000 South Winton Road

Building 5, Suite 201

Rochester, NY 14618

Direct line

585-393-7608

Lakewood Vet Center

1255 Route 70W

Unit 22N

Lakewood, NJ 08701-5900

Main number: 732-905-0327

Trenton Vet Center

934 Parkway Avenue

Suite 201

Ewing, NJ 08618-2308

Main number: 609-882-5744

Bloomfield Vet Center

2 Broad Street

Suite 703

Bloomfield, NJ 07003-2551

Main number: 973-748-098

Secaucus Vet Center

110A Meadowlands Parkway

Suite 102

Secaucus, NJ 07094-2302

Main number: 201-223-7787