Do You Qualify for Free Legal Help Through the LSV-H Program?

Veterans may be eligible for free legal services through the Legal Services for Veterans – Homelessness Prevention (LSV-H) grant program.
To qualify, two main conditions must be met:

You Must Be a Veteran

A Veteran, according to federal law, is:

- - A person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
  - This includes many members of the Reserves and National Guard—as long as they have served on active duty and received a discharge that is not dishonorable.

Tip: The best way to prove your veteran status is with your DD-214 form. If you don’t have it, don’t worry—there are other ways we can help verify your service.

You Must Be Homeless or At Risk of Becoming Homeless

You qualify under this second requirement if either of these is true:

- - You are currently homeless, as defined by federal housing law (for example, staying in a shelter, living in your car, or sleeping outside).
  - You are at risk of becoming homeless. This means you meet at least one of several risk factors, such as:
    - You’re about to be evicted.
    - You’re being released from jail or an institution with nowhere to go.
    - You’re staying in unstable housing (e.g., couch surfing).
    - You’re living in an unsafe or overcrowded environment.
    - You don’t have enough income to maintain housing.
    - You’ve had recent housing instability or frequent moves.

Why This Matters

No veteran should be without a place to call home. This program is part of the VA’s mission to end veteran homelessness by connecting eligible veterans with legal services that can help:

- Prevent eviction
- Access VA and other public benefits
- Address legal issues like credit problems, outstanding fines, or family law matters
- Work to improve discharge status when appropriate

What You’ll Need to Apply

When speaking with a Legal Services representative or intake advocate, be prepared to:

- Share basic information about your military service
- Describe your housing situation
- Provide a copy of your DD-214, if you have it

If you don’t have your DD-214, let the advocate know. There are other ways we may be able to verify your service.

Final Note

It takes all of us—service providers, law enforcement, the courts, and caring communities—to end veteran homelessness. If you or someone you know is a veteran in need of legal help and housing support, we’re here to help.