Department of Veteran Affairs

Why shelters aren’t always the next step In many cases, homelessness doesn’t happen overnight. It often results from a series of overlapping challenges, many of which are beyond a Veteran’s control—such as rising housing costs, losing a job, experiencing health or mental health difficulties, facing unexpected expenses or exhausting savings—before they no longer have a stable place to stay. When a Veteran loses their housing, the next step isn’t always a shelter or an encampment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to present the “2026 VA Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers.” Don’t know what VA benefits and care are available? Not sure which you’re eligible for? The annual Federal Benefits Guide provides information on benefits and services currently available by law and regulation. The updated handbook contains a comprehensive listing of VA programs, including phone numbers and websites for easy reference.

For 92-year-old Army Veteran Ron Singer, photography isn’t simply a hobby. It is, as he put it, “life.” Photography has followed Singer, affectionately known as “Grumpy,” from his military service and civilian work to his current home in the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center’s Community Living Center. It has also given him a way to “capture the moments you don’t always remember,” he said. So when his DSLR camera stopped working, losing it meant more than losing a piece of equipment.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs today released the 2026 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which analyzes Veteran suicide from 2001 to 2024, the most recent year for which data is available.

Vetpreneurs encouraged to show up, connect and own the opportunity The 2026 National Veterans Small Business Engagement conference takes place Dec. 8–9, 2026, at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio. Registration is now open for Veteran entrepreneurs and other small business owners. The annual conference is a great opportunity to see more of the federal marketplace up close, learn from the people inside it and decide what the next step should be for your business.

Optum Serve will be the dental care administrator that will build, manage and maintain a robust national network of licensed dental providers and practitioners. The network is scheduled to be fully implemented within a year of the contract award and will include general and specialty dental care, preventive dental services and pharmacy support. Additional award information is available at SAM.gov.

When a Veteran in Puerto Rico first connected with the community organization Family Endeavors, isolation had taken hold. Like many Veterans navigating life after service, the sense of belonging that once came from a unit had faded, leaving little in its place. Today, that same Veteran describes feeling part of a family again. “I learned I don’t have to face everything alone,” the Veteran said.

At the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), we know that the needs of our Veterans aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some Veterans need a different approach, which is why our Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program is a game-changer, not just for Veterans, but for primary care providers like you. For Veterans navigating the complexities of health, aging and daily life, bringing care closer to home can make all the difference.

Houston VA’s chief nurse is recognized nationally for leadership that touches nearly every aspect of Veteran care Dr. Michael Simmons, associate director for patient care services (chief nurse) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Trailblazer Award from the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA).

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, a time for you and your family to reflect on whether you have the right coverage to secure your family’s financial future. VA life insurance programs provide benefits to service members and Veterans, helping you make informed decisions with options for a program that can fit your needs. Today, there is more coverage for Veterans and service members than ever before.