Support is free, confidential, and available 24 / 7
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans for assistance. If Veterans do not have access to a phone or the internet, only then are they to visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance.
Resources
Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans, their families, and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders. Support is confidential and available 24 / 7 / 365.
Healthcare
Please click any of the links below for complete and / or up-to-date information
Veterans Medical Centers
The Sgt. John L. Levitow Healthcare Center (AKA The Healthcare Center at the Veterans' Home AKA Veteran's Home at Rocky Hill) at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs is the Veterans Medical Center closest to Norwalk and located at 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516 (203.932.5711).
The Veterans’ Home at Rocky Hill has a health care center with a capacity of 125 beds, a 50-bed substance abuse recovery program and a 400-bed Residential Program.
The Healthcare Center has five units and offers specialty programs for dementia care, respite care, assisted living and hospice care. Rehabilitative and supportive services include:
- Alzheimer’s Unit
- Hospice Program
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services:
- Occupational, Physical, Therapeutic, Recreational and Speech Therapy
- Respite Care
- Social Work
State of Connecticut Office of Advocacy and Assistance
It is the responsibility of the Office of Advocacy and Assistance to provide assistance to veterans, their eligible spouses and eligible dependents in obtaining veterans benefits under federal, state and local laws. Connecticut employs authorized Veteran Service Officers to assist in the following:
- Collecting and preparing data relating to benefits and services for Veterans, their spouses and eligible dependents.
- Canvassing nursing homes to determine if veterans and/or spouses are due benefits.
- Assisting in the establishment, preparation and presentation of claims pursuant to rights, benefits or privileges accruing to veterans.
- Cooperating with service organizations in disseminating information.
- Furnishing counsel to veterans concerning educational training, health, medical, rehabilitation, housing facilities and services, and employment services.
- Representing veterans before the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) concerning claims and benefits.
Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)
This program offers outreach, case management and residential treatment services to help Veterans transition from living on the street or in institutions to stable housing situations.
Operating out of many VAMCs nationwide, clinically trained providers locate Veterans who are living in precarious situations and connect them with VA bridge housing, health care and case management services that promote safe, stable living arrangements.
Homeless Veterans Dental Program
This other important resource provides Veterans who are homeless with dental treatment through programs such as Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment, VA Grant and Per Diem, Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence, Health Care for Homeless Veterans (contract bed) and Community Residential Care. VA is working to expand dental care to all eligible Veterans.
Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience. Apply from the comfort of your home or any location at a time most convenient for you. You do not need to drive to your local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative.
Substance Abuse
Fellowship House Recovery Support Program:
After Deployment Wellness Resources is an online resource supporting Service Members, their Families, and Veterans, with common post-deployment concerns. The website provides self-care solutions targeting post-traumatic stress, depression, anger, sleep, relationship concerns, and other mental health challenges.
Additional Information
Recommended Reading
- Medical Malpractice Information by Medical Malpractice Center
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Veterans Center: U.S. Veterans account for 30% of all malignant mesothelioma diagnoses caused by asbestos exposure. We’ve helped hundreds of veterans receive VA benefits, find treatment options and access financial compensation.
Recommended Reading on Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Lawsuit Guide by Just Great Lawyers
- Mesothelioma Guide for Veterans by MesotheliomaGuide.com
- Veterans and Mesothelioma by the Mesothelioma Group
- Mesothelioma Center for Veterans by Asbestos.com
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans for assistance. If Veterans do not have access to a phone or the internet, only then are they to visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance.
- Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless can call or visit their local VA Medical Center or Community Resource and Referral Center where VA staff are ready to help.
- Call 877.4AID.VET (877.424.3838)
- Chat
- Explore va.gov/homeless to learn about VA programs for Veterans who are homeless and share that information with others.
Additional information and resources, including outreach tools can be found here.
Housing
Please click any of the links below for complete and / or up-to-date information.
Department of Veterans Affairs - No Veteran should be without a place to call home
The VA is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans. Our focus is threefold:
- Conducting coordinated outreach to proactively seek out Veterans in need of assistance
- Connecting homeless and at-risk Veterans with housing solutions, health care, community employment services and other required supports.
- Collaborating with federal, state and local agencies; employers; housing providers, faith-based and community nonprofits; and others to expand employment and affordable housing options for Veterans exiting homelessness
Patriot's Landing Temporary Family Housing Program
The Residential Program provides veterans with a continuum of rehabilitation services and programs designed to return them to independent living. Residential staff members assist each veteran in developing an individualized rehabilitative plan outlining his or her goals and objectives and removing barriers to achieving them.
The Patriots’ Landing houses are located on West St. in Rocky Hill. There are five separate single family three (3) bedroom homes that can accommodate Veterans, their spouses and children.
Housing Vouchers
Through public housing authorities, HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to Veterans who are eligible for VA health care services and are experiencing homelessness. VA case managers may connect these Veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment and substance use counseling to help them in their recovery process and with their ability to maintain housing in the community. Among VA homeless continuum of care programs, HUD-VASH enrolls the largest number and largest percentage of Veterans who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness.
Housing vouchers are handled by the Norwalk Housing Authority (203.831.0059).
Related Topics
- See Legal & Tax below for information on residential tax exemptions
Recommended Reading
- After the Military: Your Guide to Renting and Purchasing Property by RentDeals.com
- What is a VA Home Loan by Home Loans for All
- Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Program by Fred Wilms
Business & Employment
Please click any of the links below for complete and / or up-to-date information.
Starting a Business
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers support for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership through the Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD). The OVBD is devoted exclusively to promoting veteran entrepreneurship, the OVBD facilitates the use of all SBA programs by veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists, active-duty service members, transitioning service members, and their dependents or survivors.
SBA programs provide access to capital and preparation for small business opportunities, including looking for funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities. They can also connect veteran small business owners with federal procurement and commercial supply chains.
- Funding for veteran-owned small businesses
- Veteran entrepreneurship training programs
- Veteran contracting
Employment
No matter where you are in the process of finding your career or the right job, your first stop should be CTHires.com from the Connecticut Department of Labor. CTHires.com offers multiple services to help you through the process:
- Career Services to help you understand explore your career options
- Job Seeker Services including a résumé builder, skills assessment, and training
Additional Programs
Troops to Teachers: Every service member interested in a career in teaching will receive assistance to transition his or her leadership, training, and core values to teaching in kindergarten through grade twelve schools.
For Employers
- U.S. Department of Labor information on hiring veterans
- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain target groups who have faced significant barriers to employment. The regulations are set by the IRS and the U.S. Department of Labor and are administered by Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL).
- Connecticut Department of Labor information on hiring veterans
- Employer Guide to Hire Veterans by US Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment Outreach Team
Recommended Reading
- What Service Members Need to Know About Employment by Military OneSource
- Jobs for Returning Service Members by BigRentz
- Veterans Vocational Training by Connecticut Public
Education
Please click any of the links below for complete and / or up-to-date information.
GI Bill benefits help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs.
Educational Benefits from the Connecticut Department of Labor
- Tuition Waivers: Veterans may attend Connecticut Public Colleges and Universities tuition free. Connecticut statutes provide that tuition may be waived for qualified veterans attending the University of Connecticut, Connecticut State Universities and the 12 Community-Technical Colleges.
- Office of Higher Education: The Office of Higher Education seeks to advance the promise of postsecondary education for all state residents, and to advocate on behalf of students, taxpayers, and the postsecondary schools and colleges which fall under its purview.
Norwalk Community College Information for Veterans: Norwalk Community College is dedicated to help guide the transition from service member, to student veteran to employed graduate as seamless as possible. The Norwalk Community College Veterans Committee will assist veterans reach their academic, career and personal goals.
Military Service Credits: Military credits can be transferred to NCC by both enlisted and commissioned personnel provided they can be applied to your NCC degree program.
NCC offers the following additional services for Veterans:
- Veterans' Support: Academic Advising, Life Planning, Transitional Counseling
- Veterans' Career Planning Services: Resume, Interview, Job Search, Internships
- Veterans' Educational Benefits
- Academic Tutoring: Math, Science, and More
- NCC Veterans' Club
For Educators
- Enhancing Veteran Success in Higher Education, by Association of American Colleges and Universities
Recommended Reading
- Higher Education Resources For Veterans and Their Families by Accredited Schools Online
- The Veteran's Guide to Academic Aid and Programs by CollegeStats
- From Serving To Studying: Veterans’ Education Benefits by U.S. Veterans Magazine
- Education Benefits for Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families by USA.gov
- Guide to Master’s Degrees for Military Members and Veterans by GoGrad.org
Financial Assistance
Please click any of the links below for complete and / or up-to-date information.
The Connecticut Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Fund was established in 1919 to assist needy wartime veterans and their families. It is administered by the American Legion in accordance with the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 27-138 and 27-140, and is governed under the Bylaws of the American Legion Department of Connecticut.
Motor Vehicles
State law provides for free motor vehicle registration and special plates to former prisoners of war and recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. (CGS Sec. 14-21d)
Veterans who were state residents at the time of induction and who apply within two (2) years of receiving an honorable discharge, are exempt from paying for an operator’s license and examination fees for one (1) licensing period. (CGS Sec. 14-50(c))
State law also provides that fees may be waived for the following registration items, subject to a formal determination by the Department of Motor Vehicles:
- Special License plates for disabled veterans
- Special fee license plates for certain disabilities (loss of use or loss of limb, or blind) handicapped and overtime parking.
- If receiving auto grant from the VA or Medal of Honor recipient, exemption from registration fees. (CGS Sec. 14-254)
Additional information for Veterans Flag on CT Driver’s License or ID
Related Topics
- See Housing above for information regarding home loans
- See Legal & Tax below for information regarding tax exemptions
Recommended Reading
- How Veterans Can Improve Their Credit Score by Fred Wilms
Legal & Tax
Please click any of the links below for complete and / or up-to-date information.
Legal
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center: The mission of Connecticut Veterans Legal Center is to help veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare and income.
Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School: In this clinic students have represented Connecticut veterans in litigation before administrative agencies and courts, on benefits, discharge upgrade, immigration, and pardon matters. In addition, students represent local and national organizations in non-litigation matters relating to the legal needs of veterans, including regulatory and legislative reform efforts, media advocacy, strategic planning, and other matters.
Tax
Please visit the State of Connecticut website for complete information on the following programs.
Property
Veterans, who have ninety (90) days of wartime service, including Merchant Marines, who served during WWII, are eligible for a $1,500 exemption for property tax purposes (e.g., real property or automobiles). You have the option to choose to apply this exemption to your real estate or automobile tax. Certain veterans, who do not own real property or a motor vehicle, may be eligible for a tax refund if they are leasing a motor vehicle.
Veterans below a certain income level and/or service connected disabled veterans are eligible for additional property tax exemptions (up to $10,000 for paraplegics). Surviving spouses of veterans may also be eligible for this benefit. Contact your municipality’s Tax Assessor Officer for specific details. (CGS Sec. 12-81g, 12-81(19)(20)(21))
Indexing Exemption
Towns that evaluate after October 1988 must adjust their veterans’ property tax exemptions above statutory limits. The adjustment must be proportionate to the change in the value of the town’s grand list following revaluation. (CGS Sec. 12-62g)
Retirement
State law fully exempts federally taxable military retirement pay from the state income tax (CGS § 12-701(20)(B)(xvii)).
The City of Norwalk offers the following tax exemptions for Active Duty Servicemen and Veterans:
Veterans Crisis Line: Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans, their families, and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders. To receive confidential support 24 / 7 / 365, veterans or loved ones can:
- Call 800.273.8255, Option 1
- TTY: use your preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 800.273.8255
- Text 838255
- Chat
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans for assistance. If Veterans do not have access to a phone or the internet, only then are they to visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance.