Veterans' Benefits

Below you will find links to resources about veterans benefits. Additionally, you can find information on how to seek aid from a lawyer, if needed. Some areas of the state have more information than others. You may wish to look at information from other areas as well as your own.
National Resources
Stateside Legal is a national resource that can provide legal help for military members, veterans, and their families.
Lawyers Serving Warriors is a program through the National Veterans Legal Services Programs. They offer free legal help to veterans with disability across all eras.
Directory of the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates
This national resource provides information for attorneys and advocates by state. This directory is provided by the National Organization of Veteran Advocates, Inc.
Veteran Benefits Information
StatesideLegal VA Benefits Quick Screening Guide
This benefit screener asks questions to help you find out what veterans benefits you might qualify for as a veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran. These benefits include: disability, pension or DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation).
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Manual - 2018 Online Edition
This guide from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs outlines benefits for veterans including: health care benefits, non-health care benefits, and burial and memorial benefits.
Arrested? What Happens to Your Benefits if You Go to Jail or Prison?
If you are arrested, use this resource from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law to find out what happens to your Social Security and health care benefits while you are in jail.
Statewide Resources
Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs
The Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs has many resources available. On their website, you can find information about state and federal benefits, education, business resources, and more.
Middle Tennessee
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
Under the SSVF Program, Legal Services provides assistance to case managers, specialists, and Veterans and their families. If you are a Veteran dealing with legal issues that interfere with your ability to obtain and sustain permanent housing, you may qualify. This program serves 20 middle Tennessee counties.
Forms
Standard Court Forms for all of Tennessee
This resource contains standard court forms that are approved for all counties of Tennessee. If you need help filing one of these forms, you can ask a lawyer in your area.
Legal Advice:
If you are in Tennessee, the website, Free Legal Answers, allows you to ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue at no cost. It is fast and easy, and all you need is a computer. This is a FREE service for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
How it works:
- You will answer a few questions to see if you qualify for their service. If you qualify, you will have the option to create an account.
- If you are eligible, you can ask their volunteer attorneys a non-criminal legal question.
- Once your question receives a response, you will get an email. You will need to sign into the website to read your response and ask any additional questions.
Visit https://tn.freelegalanswers.org/ to sign up.
Find Representation:
The Statewide Directory provides information regarding Legal Aid Attorneys and other agencies by county in Tennessee.
Still need assistance? Please speak to a librarian at your local library – they may have additional resources to assist you.