Citizens Law Library · Legal Topics

Veterans & Military Families Resources

Missouri-focused public resources for veterans, service members, Guard and Reserve families, dependents, survivors, benefits navigation, legal-help referrals, and community support.

Educational information and resource referrals only: Citizens Law Library is not a law firm, VA-accredited representative, Veterans Service Officer, benefits advocate, or crisis service. We cannot prepare a claim, determine benefit eligibility, give legal advice, or represent you before the VA, a court, agency, or board.

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A resource-first starting point

Veterans and military families often navigate more than one system at a time.

A veteran, service member, dependent, survivor, Guard or Reserve family may need help with VA benefits, state benefits, discharge records, employment, housing, consumer debt, family matters, disability, health care, education, estate planning, military records, or a civil legal issue.

Different organizations are authorized to help with different needs. This page helps you locate public-service starting points. For advice about your personal benefits, claim, legal rights, records, court matter, or deadline, contact an authorized provider or licensed attorney.

Crisis and immediate support

If you or someone you know is in crisis, seek immediate help.

For immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For the Veterans Crisis Line, call or text 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Do not wait for a website response if someone may be in danger.

Citizens Law Library does not provide crisis counseling, emergency assistance, suicide prevention services, mental-health treatment, or emergency legal representation.

Benefits navigation

Start with trained Veterans Service Officers and official benefit resources.

Missouri Veterans Commission Veterans Service Officers can assist veterans, retired service members, and eligible family members with finding and applying for available federal, state, and local benefits. Their services are described as free of charge.

A Veterans Service Officer or accredited representative can help explain the benefits process. Citizens Law Library cannot determine eligibility, advise which benefit claim to file, complete forms, review evidence, or predict a VA decision.

Missouri Veterans Benefits Portal

General benefit-resource categories

  • Veterans Service Officer locator and benefits assistance
  • VA disability compensation and pension information
  • Education and training resources
  • State veteran benefits and employment preferences
  • Veterans homes, cemeteries, burial, and memorial benefits
  • Health care, housing, and community-support resources

Missouri Veterans Commission

Find a Veterans Service Officer.

Missouri’s Veterans Benefits and Resources Portal includes a Veterans Service Officer Locator to help veterans and families find assistance with benefits. Use the official portal to locate current contact information and appointment options.

Find a Veterans Service Officer

Veteran legal clinics

Specialized clinics may help with certain military and veterans matters.

The University of Missouri Veterans Clinic states that it represents veterans free of charge with discharge-upgrade requests and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation claims. Other clinics and programs may have different service areas, eligibility standards, practice areas, appointment requirements, and availability.

Use the clinic’s official website to confirm current services and contact information. Citizens Law Library does not determine whether a clinic will accept a case or whether a particular claim is appropriate.

University of Missouri Veterans Clinic

General preparation for a legal consultation

  • Military service records and discharge documents
  • VA decision letters, notices, and correspondence
  • A timeline of important events and prior actions
  • Relevant medical, employment, housing, or court records
  • Names, contact information, and agency details
  • A short list of questions for the provider

Employment and transition

Use official resources for work, education, and transition support.

Missouri and federal programs may provide employment, education, training, credentialing, tax, and transition resources for veterans and service members. Eligibility often depends on service history, disability status, location, current status, and program requirements.

If you have an employment-law concern related to military service, active duty, Guard or Reserve obligations, or reemployment rights, seek qualified legal advice promptly. Citizens Law Library cannot determine whether a federal or state employment protection applies.

General employment-resource links

  • Missouri veteran benefits and employment preferences
  • Missouri Department of Labor resources
  • Workforce and training programs
  • Education and tuition-assistance information
  • Federal military and veteran benefit resources
  • Qualified attorney and legal-aid referrals
Missouri Military & Veteran Benefits

Family and community support

Connect with public resources for veterans and their families.

Veterans and military families may need coordinated support for housing, food, transportation, health care, caregiver needs, mental health, benefits, employment, disability, legal assistance, and community connection.

Housing & Homelessness

Locate VA and community housing resources, including official homeless-veteran support contacts and Missouri resource directories.

Veteran Housing Resources

Health & Crisis Support

Find VA, Vet Center, Veterans Crisis Line, and local community-support resources for health, wellness, and urgent needs.

Find VA Locations

Military Family Support

Missouri National Guard and military-family support resources may assist with personal, financial, counseling, and transition needs.

Missouri State Benefits & Support

Organize before you apply or ask for help

Build a personal veteran-resource folder.

A well-organized folder can help you prepare for a Veterans Service Officer appointment, attorney consultation, clinic intake, benefits meeting, housing appointment, or agency conversation. It does not replace an authorized representative or legal advice.

Suggested records to organize

  • Military service and discharge records
  • VA letters, ratings, notices, and claim communications
  • Medical, employment, education, and training records
  • Housing, benefit, debt, or court-related documents
  • A timeline of key events and prior applications
  • Questions for a Veterans Service Officer or qualified provider

Continue your preparation

Gather records, use trusted resources, and seek authorized help.

Citizens Law Library provides general information, public-resource links, and court-navigation education. We do not provide VA claim assistance, benefits representation, legal advice, or legal representation.