Information and resources about Housing Issues for Veterans in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Self-Help Manual: Applying for VA Benefits After a Discharge Upgrade
The manual is designed to be a step-by-step guide to inform and assist veterans in accessing the benefits that they may be eligible to receive once they have obtained a discharge upgrade. The first section of the manual is an overview that lists the categories of veterans benefits available from the VA and the discharge characterization required to qualify. The second section discusses each of these programs in detail and explains how to apply. The third section provides guidance on the appeals process if the VA denies the application. Finally, the last section identifies several resources for veterans applying for VA benefits and/or challenging denials
Disability housing grants for Veterans
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about grants provided to Servicemembers and Veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. Two grant programs exist: the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant.
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents
Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of benefits and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This booklet from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs contains a summary of these benefits. (2019)
Home Loans
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about Purchase Loans; Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) or Streamline Refinance Loan; Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program; Adapted Housing Grants; and other resources that may be offered by the states to Veterans.
Resources for Homeless Veterans and Homeless Veteran Service Providers
HUD Exchange provides resources for homeless veterans and homeless veteran service providers that support veterans either primarily or inclusively.
VA Programs for Homeless Veterans
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about programs offered to help veterans who may be homeless or at risk of losing their home.
Guide to Mortgages and Other Loans for Military and Veterans
Informational brochure on the most common consumer issues, including home ownership issues, impacting veteran and military communities. [PDF]
Pension Poaching - Know the Signs
Informational brochure outlining how to identify dishonest financial planners and advisors who target veterans and their families, offering assistance with filing paperwork or claiming they can help veterans qualify for supplemental benefits. [PDF]
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Notice Disclosure
Notice used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to notify Servicemembers on “active duty” or “active service,” or a spouse or dependent of such a servicemember who may be entitled to certain legal protections and debt relief pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. [PDF]
Are You a Veteran Needing Help With a Legal Question? - ABA Free Legal Answers
Information from the American Bar Association Military and Veterans Legal Center about Federal ABA Free Legal Answers, a website where you can submit your questions about civil legal issues pertaining to veterans, including VA benefits, discharge upgrades, and similar veterans’ legal issues, and receive answers from pro bono lawyers.
Interactive Forms from Stateside Legal
Stateside Legal, a website providing legal help for military members, veterans and their families, has partnered with several organizations to bring free interactive legal forms to individuals with military connections. The interactive forms are available free of charge to all persons. The system is easy to use and provides several sample forms and letters in a number of legal areas.
Stateside Legal
Stateside Legal is a national resource for members of the military, veterans, their families and advocates. It goal is to help you access benefits, find free legal help, and better understand your legal issues. This site indexes the best legal information available in one easy-to-use website that includes interactive forms, videos, and legal analysis.
Veterans Legal Help Navigator
This online tool from Stateside Legal helps veterans' caseworkers and advocates across the country find the right fit legal help for veterans. The Navigator will ask a series of questions about the veteran's income, household size, location and legal issue. Using this information, it will provide the right fit legal help for the veteran. The Navigator will also suggest resources to learn about the veteran’s legal issue and self-help materials for the veteran.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Self-Help Manual: Applying for VA Benefits After a Discharge Upgrade
The manual is designed to be a step-by-step guide to inform and assist veterans in accessing the benefits that they may be eligible to receive once they have obtained a discharge upgrade. The first section of the manual is an overview that lists the categories of veterans benefits available from the VA and the discharge characterization required to qualify. The second section discusses each of these programs in detail and explains how to apply. The third section provides guidance on the appeals process if the VA denies the application. Finally, the last section identifies several resources for veterans applying for VA benefits and/or challenging denials
Your Appeal for Veterans Benefits to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Information on filing an appeal of a decision of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program provides free attorneys to veterans and their qualifying family members who have an appeal pending at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). If an appellant has filed an appeal with the Court and has been unable to obtain his or her own attorney he or she can request assistance from the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program.
Transition Assistance Programs and Resources
The military has an extensive array of services to help make your separation a success. If you’re an active-duty service member, National Guard and reserve component service member or service member’s spouse, you can take advantage of these transition assistance resources and more.
VA Welcome Kit
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, this VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.