Best Veterans in California — 16 resources

About Veterans for Women

Women veterans are the fastest-growing segment of the VA system and have access to dedicated Women Veterans Program Managers at every VA medical center. The VA covers gender-specific primary care, maternity care, mental health (including military sexual trauma counseling, free regardless of discharge status), and the Women Veterans Call Center (1-855-VA-WOMEN). The VA Crisis Line (dial 988, press 1) is staffed 24/7. Disability compensation, GI Bill education benefits, VA home loans, and Vocational Rehabilitation are processed through regional VA offices, and state Veterans Service Organizations (American Legion, VFW, DAV) help file claims for free. This directory includes Women Veterans Program Managers, state VSOs, and veteran legal clinics.

Veterans in California

California handles custody in superior courts across all 58 counties, with the Department of Child Support Services running enforcement through local child support agencies (LCSAs). Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento are the major metros. LAFLA, Bay Area Legal Aid, the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, and Planned Parenthood affiliates serve women statewide.

16 Resources

1. California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) — Free

California-specific state veterans department headquartered in Sacramento, with County Veteran Service Officers in every county to help women veterans file VA claims and access the California Veterans Resource Book. CalVet runs disability rating help, education benefit certification, and a home loan program with no down payment. Especially useful for navigating layered state and federal benefits together.

(844) 732-5838 · 1227 O St Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

2. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System — Free

VA Greater LA in West LA hosts a dedicated Womens Health Center on the Wilshire campus, providing primary care, gynecology, mammography, and a maternity care coordinator. Women veterans have a private waiting area and same-gender provider options on request. The Military Sexual Trauma program offers free counseling regardless of discharge status. Phone enrollment is the fastest path to a first appointment.

(310) 478-3711 · 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. VA San Diego Healthcare System — Free

La Jolla VA hospital with a full Womens Health Clinic serving the heavy concentration of Navy and Marine Corps women in the San Diego region. Services include reproductive health, perinatal coordination, and trauma-informed PTSD care. The MST Coordinator handles confidential intake for survivors of military sexual trauma. Strong outreach to women transitioning out at Camp Pendleton and MCRD.

(858) 552-8585 · 3350 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92161 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. San Francisco VA Medical Center — Free

VA hospital on the Pacific cliffs at Fort Miley with a Womens Health Center offering integrated primary care and gynecology under one roof. The Womens Mental Health Clinic specializes in PTSD, depression, and MST recovery. Bay Area women veterans can use the patient shuttle from Oakland and San Mateo. Same-gender provider requests honored when scheduled in advance.

(415) 221-4810 · 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Women Veterans Alliance — Free

California-founded nonprofit hosting the annual Women Veterans Summit and running peer networks for transitioning servicewomen. Offers mentorship matching, business grants, and a deep referral network for VA claim disputes. Programs are free for verified women veterans. Especially active in Sacramento and LA, with virtual meetups for women in rural counties without a nearby Vet Center.

Los Angeles, CA · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Sacramento VA Medical Center — Free

Mather-based VA medical campus serving women veterans across 19 Northern California counties from Sacramento to the Oregon border. The Womens Comprehensive Health Center provides primary care, gynecology, behavioral health, and a dedicated MST team. Telehealth visits are available for women in rural counties. CBOC satellite clinics in Redding, Chico, and Oakland extend the reach.

(916) 843-7000 · 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

7. Disabled American Veterans — California — Free

California DAV chapters provide free accredited service officers to help women veterans file disability claims, appeals, and increase ratings; no DAV membership required. Especially effective with complex MST and breast cancer presumptive claims. Local chapters in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and Fresno hold free claim clinics. Transportation to VA appointments is also available in many areas.

(844) 732-5838 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

8. VA Women Veterans Health Care — Free

VA Office of Womens Health Care operates a Designated Womens Health Provider at every CA VA facility, with maternity care coordinators, MST specialists, and reproductive health services. The website explains every benefit a woman veteran is entitled to, from infertility services to gender-specific prosthetics. Free enrollment for any woman with qualifying service.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Women Veterans Call Center — Free

Toll-free line staffed exclusively by women VA representatives, designed for women veterans who want a comfortable first conversation about benefits and care. Counselors can warm-transfer you to the right CA facility, MST coordinator, or claims officer. Anonymous calls welcome. Particularly helpful for women who served decades ago and never enrolled in VA care.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Veterans Crisis Line — Free

Free 24/7 confidential crisis line for veterans, service members, and family. Dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at the website. Responders include veterans and women-trained counselors who can dispatch emergency services or schedule same-week mental health appointments. No VA enrollment required. Bilingual Spanish support available.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. VA.gov — Find Benefits — Free

Central federal portal where California women veterans apply for disability, healthcare enrollment, GI Bill education, VA home loans, and survivor benefits. Document upload, claim status tracking, and secure messaging with providers all happen here. Login.gov or ID.me account required. Especially important for combining benefits with Cal Grant or Medi-Cal supplements.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — Free

VFW posts across California provide accredited service officers who help women veterans file VA claims for free, with strong expertise in combat-related and Gulf War presumptive conditions. Local posts increasingly include women-led auxiliaries and family events. Membership requires foreign service eligibility but service officer help is open to any veteran.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America — Free

Advocacy and direct support for post-9/11 women veterans through the IAVA Quick Reaction Force, which assigns a case manager for benefits, mental health, education, and employment issues. The Womens Veterans agenda pushes for parity in VA care. Free membership for any post-9/11 veteran. Strong CA presence given the large GWOT-era population.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Wounded Warrior Project — Free

Free programs for post-9/11 women veterans with visible or invisible wounds. Project Odyssey is a mental health intensive open to women only, holding sessions in California regularly. Career counseling, financial wellness coaching, and adaptive sports are also fully funded. Registration requires verifying post-9/11 service and a qualifying injury or condition.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Service Women's Action Network (SWAN) — Free

Founded by servicewomen to tackle MST, reproductive health access, and combat parity. SWAN offers free helpline support for navigating discharge upgrades, MST claims, and harassment cases, plus a peer mentor network. Particularly active in pushing VA policy reform on issues that disproportionately affect women in California and nationally.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Military OneSource — Free

DoD-funded 24/7 line for active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and recently transitioned women and their families. Free counseling (12 sessions per issue), financial coaching, spouse career help, and child care navigation. Calls do not appear in your military medical record. Especially useful in the year immediately after separation when VA enrollment is still pending.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many veterans resources are in California?
Women's Corner tracks 16 veterans resources for women in California.
Are veterans resources in California free?
16 of the 16 listed veterans resources in California are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in California have veterans resources?
Listings span cities including Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Mather.
What are some examples of veterans resources in California?
Featured entries include California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Francisco VA Medical Center, Women Veterans Alliance.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
6 of 16 California veterans listings include phone numbers.
Are there VA benefits specifically for women veterans?
Yes. Every VA Medical Center has a Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM) who coordinates primary care, gynecology, maternity, mental health, and MST (Military Sexual Trauma) services. Call the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-829-6636 — staffed by women veterans — for benefits, claims, and referrals.
I experienced MST — what help is available?
Every VA facility provides free MST counseling and treatment regardless of discharge status, length of service, or whether you reported it at the time. You don't need a service-connected disability rating. Call the Vet Center hotline at 1-877-927-8387 for confidential counseling, or 988 then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
How do I file a VA disability claim?
File online at VA.gov/disability or with help from an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) — DAV, AMVETS, VFW, and American Legion all provide free claim filing. Don't pay anyone for claim help — it's illegal for non-accredited people to charge. Average wait is 4–6 months. Appeals are common; don't give up after a first denial.
Is there housing help for homeless women veterans?
Yes. HUD-VASH provides Section 8 vouchers paired with VA case management for homeless veterans. SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) prevents and ends homelessness with rapid rehousing funds. Call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) — the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 24/7.