50 Veteran Web Resources: The Official Sites Worth Bookmarking (2026)
Fifty websites every veteran should know, sorted by need: disability claims, health care, mental health, education, jobs, housing, money, records and memorials.
Some links on NavyMentor are affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How this works
In this guide
Here are 50 websites every veteran should know about, sorted by what you are trying to get done. They cover disability claims, health care, mental health, education, jobs, housing, money, records and memorials. Almost all of them are official government sites, and all of them are free to use.
Leaving the Navy means leaving behind the people who used to point you in the right direction. Benefits you earned are spread across dozens of sites, and it is easy to miss one for years simply because nobody told you it existed.
This list fixes that. Each entry says what the site is for in plain English, so you can go straight to the one you need. Bookmark the page and come back to it. 🇺🇸
How to use this list
You do not need all 50. Find the group that matches your question, and start with the highlighted entry in each table.
Many of these are pages on VA.gov. One sign-in works across all of them. If you have not set one up yet, do that first. It is the single most useful ten minutes you can spend.
VA.gov uses secure public sign-in services, such as Login.gov or ID.me. Creating an account involves proving who you are, which can take a little time. Do it on a quiet day, not on the day a deadline falls.
1. Start here
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VA.gov | The front door to nearly every VA benefit and service |
| 2 | Find a VA location | Finding your nearest VA medical centre, clinic, benefits office or Vet Center |
| 3 | Contact the VA | Phone numbers and ways to ask a question |
| 4 | USA.gov for veterans | A plain overview of federal help for veterans, across all agencies |
| 5 | National Resource Directory | A searchable directory of vetted national, state and local support |
2. Disability compensation and claims
If an injury or illness was caused or made worse by your service, you may be owed monthly compensation. This is where most veterans start.
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | VA disability compensation | Understanding who is eligible and how ratings work |
| 7 | How to file a claim | The steps and evidence needed to file |
| 8 | Check your claim status | Seeing where your claim or appeal has got to |
| 9 | Decision reviews and appeals | Your options if you disagree with a decision |
| 10 | The PACT Act | Expanded benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances |
| 11 | Find an accredited representative | Free help with a claim from a recognised Veterans Service Officer |
Accredited Veterans Service Officers help for free. Be wary of any company that asks for a fee or a share of your back pay, or that wants your VA sign-in details. Our guide to military service organizations explains who the trusted ones are.
3. Health care
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | VA health care | What VA health care covers and who can get it |
| 13 | Apply for VA health care | Enrolling, online or by phone, post or in person |
| 14 | My HealtheVet on VA.gov | Refilling prescriptions, messaging your care team and viewing your records |
| 15 | TRICARE | Health coverage for military retirees and their families |
| 16 | VA Caregiver Support | Help and programmes for people who care for a veteran |
| 17 | Family and caregiver benefits | Health care, education and other benefits for spouses, dependents and survivors |
Enrol in VA health care even if you feel fine and have other insurance. It creates a record, it can make later claims simpler, and it costs nothing to apply.
4. Mental health and crisis support
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Veterans Crisis Line | Immediate, confidential help. Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255 |
| 19 | Vet Centers | Free, confidential counselling in a community setting, for veterans and families |
| 20 | VA mental health | Information on conditions, treatment and how to get care |
| 21 | National Center for PTSD | Clear, research-based information about post-traumatic stress |
| 22 | Make the Connection | Stories from veterans who have faced similar struggles, and where they found help |
The Veterans Crisis Line is open to every veteran, service member and family member, whether or not you use VA health care. It runs all day, every day. If someone’s life is in immediate danger, call 911.
5. Education and training
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | VA education benefits | The GI Bill and other programmes that pay for school and training |
| 24 | GI Bill Comparison Tool | Seeing what your benefits would pay at a particular school |
| 25 | Apply for education benefits | Starting your GI Bill application |
| 26 | Federal Student Aid | Grants and loans that can be used alongside the GI Bill |
| 27 | Student Veterans of America | Finding other veterans and support on campus |
Still serving? Use the Navy’s own funding first and save the GI Bill. See our guide to Navy Tuition Assistance.
6. Jobs and business
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | VA careers and employment | VA job support, training and resources for veteran-owned businesses |
| 29 | Veteran Readiness and Employment | Job training and support if you have a service-connected disability |
| 30 | Department of Labor — Veterans’ Employment and Training Service | Employment programmes and your job rights after military service |
| 31 | USAJOBS | Applying for federal jobs, where veterans may get hiring preference |
| 32 | Feds Hire Vets | Understanding how veterans’ preference works in federal hiring |
| 33 | CareerOneStop for veterans | Matching military skills to civilian jobs and finding local job centres |
| 34 | Small Business Administration — veteran-owned businesses | Starting or growing your own business |
| 35 | Hire Heroes USA | Free one-to-one job search help from a non-profit |
Before you apply anywhere, read our guide to turning Navy experience into a civilian resume.
7. Housing, pay and money
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | VA home loans | Buying a home with a VA-backed loan, often with no down payment |
| 37 | VA pension | Monthly payments for wartime veterans with limited income |
| 38 | VA life insurance | Coverage options for veterans and their families |
| 39 | VA payment history | Checking what the VA has paid you and when |
| 40 | Change your direct deposit | Updating the bank account your VA payments go to |
| 41 | DFAS — retired military pay | Retired pay, survivor benefits and related forms |
| 42 | Thrift Savings Plan | Managing the retirement savings you built while serving |
| 43 | Social Security for veterans | How military service affects Social Security, including disability benefits |
If you are at risk of losing your home, the VA runs a National Call Center for Homeless Veterans on 877-424-3838. It is free and open around the clock.
8. Records and proof of service
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | VA records | One place for your VA documents and military records |
| 45 | Request military service records | Getting a copy of your DD-214 and other service documents |
| 46 | Download VA benefit letters | Proof of your benefits for lenders, employers and state agencies |
| 47 | Veteran ID cards | The different cards that prove you served |
| 48 | National Archives — veterans’ service records | Older records, replacement medals and family research |
Your DD-214 is the key to almost everything on this page. Our guide to the Veteran ID Card explains how to get proof of service you can carry.
9. Burials and memorials
| # | Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | VA burials and memorials | Burial in a national cemetery, headstones, and benefits for survivors |
| 50 | National Cemetery Administration | Finding a national cemetery and locating a grave |
It is possible to find out in advance whether you qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery. The VA calls this a pre-need eligibility decision. It spares your family a difficult task at a hard time.
Which five should you do first?
If the list feels long, do these five things in order.
- Create your VA.gov sign-in. Everything else depends on it.
- Get your records. Download or request your DD-214 and keep copies.
- Enrol in VA health care. Even if you do not plan to use it straight away.
- Talk to an accredited representative about a disability claim.
- Save the crisis line number in your phone. You may need it for a friend.
| If you are… | Start with numbers |
|---|---|
| Still serving and planning to leave | 1, 7, 13, 23 and 45 |
| Recently separated | 1, 7, 11, 13 and 31 |
| Going to college | 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 |
| Looking for work | 28, 30, 31, 33 and 35 |
| Buying a home | 36, 46 and 39 |
| A retiree | 15, 41, 42 and 43 |
| A spouse, carer or survivor | 16, 17, 19 and 49 |
Benefits are not charity. They are part of what you were promised when you signed up. Claiming them takes nothing away from anyone else.
State and local help
Every state has its own department of veterans affairs, and many counties have a Veterans Service Officer. They can help with federal claims, and they also know about state benefits that no national list covers, such as property tax relief, tuition waivers and hunting or fishing licences.
The simplest way to find yours is to search for your state’s name with “department of veterans affairs”, and check that the result is an official state site.
How to stay safe online
Scammers target veterans because benefits involve money and personal details. A few habits keep you safe.
- Check the ending. Federal sites end in .gov. Military sites end in .mil.
- Type the address yourself or use a bookmark. Do not follow links in unexpected emails or texts.
- The VA will not ask for your password by phone, email or text.
- Nobody can “speed up” your claim for a fee.
- Never share your sign-in details, even with someone helping you.
- Be careful with search adverts. Paid results can sit above the real site.
Real-life situations
1. You separated years ago and never filed a claim
It is not too late. Start with number 11 and find an accredited representative. Bring your records and a list of your health problems.
2. You need proof of income for a mortgage
Download a benefit letter from number 46. Lenders accept it as proof of your VA income.
3. You lost your DD-214
Request a copy through number 45. Do it now, before you need it, because requests can take time.
4. A friend who served is in a dark place
Call or text the Veterans Crisis Line with them, or give them the number. You can also call it yourself to ask how to help.
5. Your claim was denied
Read the decision letter, then look at your options under number 9. An accredited representative can tell you which route fits your case.
Common mistakes (and the fix for each)
⚠️ Mistake: Thinking you are “not disabled enough” to file.
✅ Fix: Let the VA decide. Many common conditions qualify.
⚠️ Mistake: Paying a company to file a claim.
✅ Fix: Accredited representatives do it for free.
⚠️ Mistake: Not enrolling in VA health care because you have other cover.
✅ Fix: Enrol anyway. You can use both.
⚠️ Mistake: Losing track of your records.
✅ Fix: Keep paper originals safe and scanned copies backed up.
⚠️ Mistake: Giving up after one denial.
✅ Fix: Ask for a review. You have several options.
⚠️ Mistake: Ignoring state benefits.
✅ Fix: Check your state’s veterans department as well.
⚠️ Mistake: Using an unofficial site that looks like the VA.
✅ Fix: Check for .gov before you sign in.
Pro tips
- Make a bookmarks folder for the sites you use.
- Keep your address and bank details current with the VA.
- Write down dates and names every time you speak to someone about a claim.
- Tell your family where your records are.
- Go to appointments, including claim examinations. Missing one can sink a claim.
- Check in once a year. Benefits change, and new laws can open doors that were closed.
Still in uniform? Our Navy transition timeline shows what to do before you leave, and our master Navy links list covers the sites you need while serving.
Helpful gear for managing your benefits
Benefits run on paperwork and secure sign-ins. These three items make both easier. We chose them by researching what each one does and who it suits. We have not tested them hands-on, and we list the trade-offs. Read how we choose products.
| Product | Best for | Key feature | Price level | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for uploadsBrother DS-640 Compact Document Scanner | Clean digital copies for claims and applications | USB-powered and under a foot long | Mid-range | See on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Best for originalsSentrySafe Fire-Resistant Chest | Protecting your DD-214 and other records | Fire tested, with a key lock | Mid-range | See on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Best for privacy3M Bright Screen Privacy Filter (15.6 inch) | Checking benefits in shared or public places | Blocks the view from the side | Mid-range | See on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Price level is a broad guide, not a live price. Scroll the table sideways on small screens.
Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner
Mid-range
A small sheet-fed scanner that runs from a USB cable. Nearly every site on this list asks you to upload documents at some point. A scanner gives clear, readable files of your discharge papers and medical records. The listing gives a speed of up to 16 pages a minute.
Ideal for: Veterans with a stack of records to copy.
- Scans colour and black and white
- Works with Brother’s free desktop app
- Small enough for a drawer
- Brand
- Brother
- Model
- DS-640
- Power
- USB, cable included
- Speed in the listing
- up to 16 pages a minute
- Size
- under 1 foot long, about 1.5 lb
What we like
- Clean, straight scans
- No separate power supply
- From a well-known maker
Trade-offs
- Costs more than using a phone
- Feeds one sheet at a time
- Needs a computer
SentrySafe Fire-Resistant Chest (0.25 cubic feet)
Mid-range
A small fire-resistant chest for the papers that are hardest to replace, starting with your original DD-214. The listing says it is UL classified for half an hour of fire endurance at 1,550°F.
Ideal for: Keeping discharge papers, certificates and policies safe at home.
- Fire-resistant construction
- Privacy key lock
- Carrying grips
- Brand
- SentrySafe
- Capacity
- 0.25 cubic feet
- Lock
- Key
- Fire rating in the listing
- UL classified, 30 minutes at 1,550°F
- Size
- about 15.3 x 12.1 x 6.3 inches
What we like
- From an established safe maker
- Stated, tested fire rating
- Small and portable
Trade-offs
- A privacy lock, not theft protection
- Limited space for bulky items
- Not rated for flooding in this listing
3M Bright Screen Privacy Filter for 15.6-inch Laptops
Mid-range
A filter that sits over your laptop screen so that people beside you see a dark panel. The listing says it blacks out the view from outside a 60-degree angle. It is for 15.6-inch screens with a 16:9 shape, so measure yours first.
Ideal for: Looking at claims, health records or pay in a library, café or waiting room.
- Brighter than standard black filters, according to 3M
- Helps reduce blue light
- Anti-glare
- Brand
- 3M
- Model
- BP156W9B
- Fits
- 15.6-inch laptops, 16:9
- Privacy
- Blocks side views outside 60 degrees
- Size
- about 13.6 x 7.6 inches
What we like
- Protects personal details in public
- From a well-known maker
- Removable
Trade-offs
- Only fits one screen size and shape
- Dims the screen slightly
- Costs more than basic filters
Who can help you in person?
See which organizations give free help with claims, money and family support.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main website for veterans benefits?
VA.gov. It is the Department of Veterans Affairs site for disability compensation, health care, education, home loans, records and most other benefits.
How do I get a copy of my DD-214?
Use the Request military service records page on VA.gov, which explains how to request your records online or by post.
Who can help me file a VA claim for free?
An accredited representative, such as a Veterans Service Officer. VA.gov has an official tool for finding one near you.
What is the Veterans Crisis Line number?
Dial 988 and then press 1, or text 838255. It is free, confidential and open all day, every day, to veterans, service members and families.
Can I use VA health care if I have other insurance?
Yes. You can be enrolled in VA health care and have other health insurance at the same time.
How can I tell if a veterans website is official?
Federal sites end in .gov and military sites end in .mil. Check the address before signing in, and do not follow links in unexpected messages.
Your quick-reference checklist
- Set up your VA.gov sign-in.
- Get and copy your DD-214.
- Enrol in VA health care.
- File a disability claim with free help from an accredited representative.
- Check your education benefits before you pick a school.
- Use USAJOBS and CareerOneStop for the job search.
- Look into a VA home loan before you buy.
- Check your state’s veterans department.
- Save 988, press 1.
- Never pay for help that is free.
Fifty websites sounds like a lot. In practice you will use a handful, and you will use them for years. The first step is knowing they are there. Now you do. 🇺🇸
Sources
Facts last checked against these sources: October 2026.
- VA.gov: each VA page listed was opened and checked in October 2026.
- Veterans Crisis Line: contact details for the crisis service.
- USA.gov — Veterans: federal overview of help for veterans.
- Department of Labor — VETS: employment programmes and rights.
More like this
Keep reading
Military Service Organizations: Who They Are and How They Help
A plain-English guide to military and veterans service organizations, sorted by what you need: emergency money, free help with VA…
Veteran ID Card: How to Apply, Who Qualifies and What It Is For (2026)
How to apply for a Veteran ID Card from the VA: who is eligible, the four things you need, the…
Master Navy Links List: Official Websites Every Sailor Needs (2026)
One page with the official Navy websites you actually need, sorted by job: pay, records, careers, education, health, family support,…
