SERVING
Those That
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California State Benefits
CalVet Program
CalVet is the full-service agency that helps veterans, their family members and survivors, advocating for and aggressively pursuing all federal and state benefits and entitlements on their behalf. The legal team at Injured Veterans, a nationwide law firm, is also available to veterans in the state of California. Among the primary programs and benefits available to California veterans, spouses and their children:
Education – financial assistance to help cover the cost of tuition, healthcare, housing, training and other expenses incurred through furthering veterans' education and skills. College tuition fee waivers are also available for veterans' dependents.
Employment – all veterans are eligible for assistance in getting training and employment, as well as assistance in obtaining unemployment insurance.
Property Tax Exemptions – based upon the assessed value of the home.
Healthcare – The Mental Health Service Act helps address prevention and early intervention services with the goal of promoting, preserving or restoring the health of the state's veterans.
Housing – Veterans Homes of California provides professional and low-cost residential, assisted living and medical facilities throughout the state for aged or disabled veterans who are residents of California.
Veteran Business – business license fees, taxes and other fees may be waived for veterans who engage in sales activities
If you are in need of professional help, speak with a lawyer, like Injured Veterans' Adam Werner, Esquire. They provide legal help for veterans and their families in all federal benefits matters, assisting in the appeal denial of benefits from the VA. For more information about Injured Veterans, call 1-888-500-0000.
As of August 22, 2019, California veterans can now add their veteran status to their driver's license, making it easier for them to access certain benefits all while carrying around less identification.
Veterans must visit a veteran's service office with their original DD Form 214, or Discharge Certificate to initiate paperwork.
Veterans must visit their local DMV, and eligible veterans must pay a one-time fee of $5 for to have “Veteran” placed on their driver’s license. Annual fees may be included.
No Adoption Fees
Veterans in California will no longer pay pet adoption fees to animal shelters after Senate Bill 245 was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on August 30, 2019. The Bill, SB 245, was introduced by Senator Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar) who says California is home to 2 million military veterans, including many who struggle to cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and could benefit from an animal companion.
According to the Bill:
This bill would prohibit a public animal shelter from charging an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person adopting the dog or cat presents to the public animal shelter a current and valid driver’s license or organizational identification card with the word “VETERAN” printed on its face pursuant to the above-described provision. The Bill also would authorize a public animal shelter to limit the number of dogs and cats adopted from that public animal shelter by an eligible veteran to one dog and cat each 6-month period.
COVID-19 Response Program
April 14, 2020
Angelenos Card
Time sensitive program. Act quickly and decisively. Amid the coronavirus crisis, the City of Los Angeles, California is providing a pre-paid debit card called the “Angelenos Card” to those Los Angelenos who are most in-need of rapid funds.
The funds are being distributed on a first come basis and while funds last. Funds are distributed via no-fee, pre-paid debit cards, to Los Angelenos who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19-related job losses or furloughing.
The cards will come with $700, $1,100 or $1,500, depending on the size and income of each household.
A separate LA Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund has also been set up to help families, small businesses, healthcare workers and homeless people with support such as childcare, meals, counselling and healthcare equipment.
Applications must be filled out between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday on the website set up to handle processing or by calling 213-252-3040.
Note: The website and phone number for the program may be overwhelmed at certain times of the day.
