Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

What you get

Case management and short-term help from a nonprofit VA funds, to keep your housing or move quickly into a new home: help with rent, utilities, deposits, and moving costs, and connections to VA and other benefits.

Where to start: reach VA or a local SSVF provider

1. 1At risk of losing housing soonThe family lives in permanent housing, such as a rented or owned home, and would become homeless but for the help. VA describes this as becoming homeless within the next 30 days. A family staying with friends or family in their home may be considered for prevention.
2. 2Very low household incomeHousehold income at or below 50 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size. VA uses HUD income limits unless its funding notice says otherwise, and it may adjust the limit for some areas. The provider checks this before helping and again at least every 3 months.

Source: 38 CFR 62.11 (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: SSVF supportive services (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: help for veterans at risk (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 62.2 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 62.36 (opens in new tab)

Which kind of help fits?

• Keep your housing: homelessness prevention

  For a veteran family in permanent housing that would become homeless without SSVF help. VA aims prevention at families who would lose housing within the next 30 days, which is not the same as eviction prevention. Both kinds of SSVF help look for a veteran family with very low income.

  Source: 38 CFR 62.11 (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: SSVF supportive services (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: help for veterans at risk (opens in new tab)

• Move into housing: rapid rehousing

  For a veteran family that is homeless now, to move quickly into permanent housing. Having a job or income, a clean criminal record, or sobriety is not a precondition for rapid rehousing.

  1. 1Homeless nowSleeping in a place not meant for it, such as a car or park; living in a shelter or transitional housing; or leaving an institution after 90 days or less when you were homeless right before. The rule also looks for a family expected to move into permanent housing within 90 days, once housing is found. A family that left permanent housing in the last 90 days and is now in one of these situations may also be served for a limited time.
  2. 2A veteran in the familyThe head of household, or that person's spouse, served in the active military, naval, or air service for any length of time, and was not dishonorably discharged or dismissed by a general court-martial sentence.

  Source: 38 CFR 62.2 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 62.11 (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: SSVF supportive services (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

Papers go to the SSVF provider when it asks. BeneVets does not ask for copies of them.

Steps, in order

1. Call or chat with VA's homeless line

   Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, open 24/7, free and confidential, or start an online chat. A trained VA counselor asks a few questions and connects you to help near you, including SSVF.

   Source: VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab); VA.gov: homeless help (opens in new tab)

2. If you are in crisis

   If you are having thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, call or text 988, then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.

   Source: VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab)

3. Or contact a local SSVF provider

   SSVF help comes from nonprofits VA funds, not from VA directly. VA posts a list of SSVF providers on its SSVF page so you can find one near you.

   Source: VA Homeless Programs: SSVF (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: SSVF supportive services (opens in new tab)

4. Go through intake

   The provider confirms your family fits the program and records your housing situation before helping. It tells you that VA pays for the services in whole or in part, what it offers, and any conditions or limits.

   Source: 38 CFR 62.36 (opens in new tab)

5. Make a housing plan with your case manager

   The case manager assesses your needs, builds a plan focused on stable housing, and links you to services. Rent, utility, or deposit help comes with a plan for paying on your own later.

   Source: 38 CFR 62.31 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 62.34 (opens in new tab)

6. Ask about rent and other short-term help

   Providers may pay rent, utilities, security and utility deposits, and moving costs straight to the landlord, utility company, or other third party. The rule limits most rent help to 6 months in any 12-month period and 10 months in 2 years, with higher limits for extremely low-income families and a longer rent subsidy in some areas.

   Source: 38 CFR 62.34 (opens in new tab)

7. Get help with VA and other benefits

   Providers help you apply for VA benefits such as health care and job training, and for other public benefits. SSVF itself is not a VA claim, and provider staff cannot represent you on a VA claim unless they are accredited. If you file a VA claim, such as for disability compensation, a VSO can help with that claim. Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.

   Source: 38 CFR 62.32 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 62.33 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)

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