Veterans Resources
Free services, organizations, and programs serving veterans and military families throughout Orange County.
Start Here
These three organizations serve as the main gateways into the entire Orange County veterans services network. If you don't know where to start, call one of these first.
Tierney Center for Veteran Services
Orange County's most comprehensive one-stop hub for veterans. Housing coordination, employment, VA benefits navigation, legal referrals, behavioral health linkage, emergency financial help, and peer support — all in one place. Operated by Goodwill of Orange County.
OC Veterans Service Office
The official county-level office for VA claims assistance. Provides free help filing and managing disability compensation, pension, education benefits, and dependency updates. The formal interface with the VA system for Orange County veterans.
(714) 480-6555 · Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM
211 OC Veterans Line
Call or text 2-1-1 for a free, confidential referral to the right local service. 211 OC screens veterans and connects them to housing, food, employment, mental health, legal assistance, and more throughout Orange County.
Free & confidential
VA Benefits Help
Free assistance navigating VA disability, pension, education, and healthcare benefits in Orange County.
OC Veterans Service Office
County-accredited VSO staff provide free, expert assistance filing and appealing VA disability claims, pension applications, education benefits, and dependent updates. You should never pay someone to file a VA claim — this service is free.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 480-6555 · Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM
Tierney Center — Benefits Navigation
The Tierney Center provides VA benefits navigation as part of its broader case management services. Especially valuable for veterans dealing with multiple needs at once — housing, benefits, and employment — who need a coordinated approach.
Serves all OC veterans and military families
American Legion — Free Claims Assistance
Post 132's accredited service officers provide free VA claims assistance to any veteran — not just members. We help with disability claims, appeals, pension applications, and navigating the VA system. Contact us to get started.
(714) 538-6311
Free Legal Help for Veterans
Veterans in Orange County have access to professional legal representation at no cost through these organizations.
Veterans Legal Institute (VLI)
One of Orange County's highest-value veteran resources. VLI is a public-interest law firm providing free (pro bono) legal services to low-income and at-risk veterans. Services include:
- VA benefits appeals and denials
- Housing — evictions and landlord disputes
- Discharge upgrades and corrections
- Expungements and criminal record relief
- Family law matters
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 852-3492
You Don't Have to Face the VA Alone
Many veterans don't know they have a right to free legal representation when appealing a VA decision. VLI attorneys have helped hundreds of OC veterans win appeals that reversed unfavorable VA rulings.
If your VA claim was denied or you received less compensation than you believe you're owed, contact the Veterans Legal Institute before giving up.
Also: OC Bar Assoc. Veterans Resources
The Orange County Bar Association maintains an additional referral program connecting veterans with volunteer attorneys for legal advice.
OC Bar Veterans Program ↗Housing Assistance
Organizations helping Orange County veterans secure, stabilize, and furnish their homes.
Patriots & Paws
Solves the "I just got housing but have nothing" problem. Patriots & Paws provides free furniture and household goods — beds, sofas, kitchen items, and more — to veterans, active duty, and reservists moving into or stabilizing a home. No cost, no catch.
Typical hours: Tue / Thu / Sat 10 AM–3 PM
Call ahead to confirm current schedule
Mercy House
One of Orange County's leading homeless service providers. Mercy House operates transitional housing programs, emergency shelters, and veteran outreach services, working closely with the VA and OC collaborative partners to move veterans toward stable housing.
and unhoused populations
Families Forward
Focuses on homelessness prevention and housing stabilization — helping families (including those of veterans) stay housed before they lose their home. Programs include emergency rental assistance, case management, and transitional housing.
including veteran households
Veteran Employment Programs
Career transition support, job training, and employment networking for veterans in Orange County.
Working Wardrobes
A Southern California institution for workforce development. Working Wardrobes provides professional clothing, job readiness training, resume building, mock interviews, and career placement — with dedicated programs specifically for veterans transitioning to civilian careers.
Multiple OC service locations
OC4Vets
A veteran-focused employment and business networking organization connecting Orange County veterans with private-sector employers and entrepreneurship resources. Bridges the gap between military service and civilian career opportunities through networking events and direct employer connections.
entrepreneurship resources in OC
Goodwill of Orange County
Through the Tierney Center and its own workforce development programs, Goodwill of OC offers veteran employment training, job placement, and career services. A well-resourced organization with strong employer relationships throughout the county.
employment pathways in OC
Counseling & Wellness Support
Professional counseling, peer support, and wellness programs for veterans and military families in Orange County.
North OC Vet Center
VA-operated community counseling center for combat veterans and military sexual trauma (MST) survivors. Provides individual and group therapy, family counseling, and readjustment counseling. No VA enrollment or referral required. Walk-ins welcome.
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 776-0161
South OC Vet Center
Same VA community counseling services as the North OC center, serving veterans in South Orange County. PTSD treatment, MST counseling, readjustment support, and family therapy. No VA enrollment required. Evening and weekend appointments available.
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 348-6700
Team Red White & Blue
Team RWB (Team Red White & Blue) addresses one of the most overlooked post-service challenges: social isolation. Through physical and social activities — runs, workouts, community events — Team RWB builds connections between veterans and their communities. Check for active OC chapter events.
connection for veterans
Art & Creativity for Healing
Uses art therapy and creative expression as a path to emotional healing and trauma recovery for veterans and others. Programs provide veterans with non-verbal therapeutic outlets that complement traditional counseling — particularly effective for those dealing with PTSD.
serving Orange County
Animals for Armed Forces Foundation
Provides service animals and companion animals to veterans dealing with PTSD, TBI, and other service-connected conditions. The human-animal bond has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety, isolation, and PTSD symptoms in veterans.
for veterans with PTSD
Veterans Crisis Line
If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, help is available right now — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Free, confidential, staffed by Veterans Affairs responders who understand military service.
Text 838255 · Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net
Vet Center 24/7 Call Line
(1-877-927-8387) — Reach a Vet Center counselor any time, day or night.
System-Level Organizations
These organizations coordinate across multiple veteran-serving nonprofits and government agencies. They don't always serve veterans directly, but they connect the entire ecosystem.
OC Veterans & Military Families Collaborative
A coalition of dozens of OC veteran-serving organizations. Their resource directory maps the entire local ecosystem and facilitates coordination across agencies.
OCVMFC Resources ↗OC Veterans Initiative (OCCF)
A philanthropic initiative of the OC Community Foundation that funds and coordinates veteran-serving nonprofits across the county. Their partner list is a map of the most credible local organizations.
OC Veterans Initiative ↗Strong Families Strong Children
Provides family-focused counseling and case management for veteran and military families — addressing the ripple effect of service on spouses, children, and caregivers. Reachable through OCVMFC partners.
Find via OCVMFC ↗OC VSO Resource Directory
The Orange County Veterans Service Office maintains a comprehensive PDF directory of all Veteran-serving organizations in the county — government and nonprofit. The most complete single document available.
OC VSO Directory ↗Post 132 as
Your Gateway
You don't need to know which organization does what, or where to call first. Walk into Post 132 and we'll help you figure it out.
Our members and service officers know the Orange County veteran services network. We can help you navigate to the right organization for your specific situation — whether that's filing a VA claim, finding legal help, getting into housing, or just connecting with other veterans.
This service is free and available to all veterans — you do not need to be a Post 132 member to ask for help.
Benefits & Claims
Our accredited service officers provide free VA claims assistance — disability, pension, appeals, and enrollment.
Referrals & Navigation
Not sure where to go? We'll connect you to the right organization in the OC veterans network for your specific need.
Community & Camaraderie
Sometimes a veteran just needs to be around other veterans. Post 132 is a place to belong — no forms, no intake process, just show up.
ℹ️ Verify Before You Go
This directory is maintained by American Legion Post 132 as a free community service to Orange County veterans. Organization addresses, phone numbers, hours, and service availability can change. We recommend calling ahead to confirm current details before visiting. If you notice outdated or inaccurate information, please let us know so we can update it.
Directory last reviewed: April 2026 • American Legion Post 132 is not affiliated with the organizations listed above unless otherwise noted.
National & VA Programs
Looking for VA healthcare, the GI Bill, home loans, or national American Legion programs? See our full Veterans Services page.