Veteran benefits and home care in San Diego County
Caring for a veteran in San Diego County? This page brings together the free, official help near you — the county office that files VA claims at no charge, the VA medical centers and clinics that serve the area, and the home-health services the VA can pay for.
Free help filing a VA claim
Your County Veterans Service Office employs accredited officers who file VA claims for veterans and surviving spouses at no cost. They are listed first below. You should never have to pay anyone to prepare a VA claim — and be cautious with advisors who offer to move assets so a veteran qualifies for a pension.
Serving veteran families across San Diego County, including:
- San Diego
- Chula Vista
- Oceanside
- Escondido
- Carlsbad
- El Cajon
- Vista
- San Marcos
- Encinitas
- National City
- La Mesa
Veteran resources in San Diego County
County Veterans Service Office — free claim help
County of San Diego Office of Military & Veterans Affairs (Veterans Service Office)
San Diego
County-accredited representatives help veterans, spouses, dependents and survivors file VA and state benefit claims for free, with offices in San Diego, National City, Escondido and Oceanside.
VA medical center
Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA San Diego Healthcare System)
San Diego
The main VA hospital for San Diego County, open 24/7, offering primary care, specialty and surgical care, mental health, geriatric and rehabilitation services.
VA outpatient clinic
Chula Vista VA Clinic
Chula Vista
A VA outpatient clinic in the South Bay providing primary care plus mental health, optometry, podiatry, social work and telehealth.
VA outpatient clinic
Escondido VA Clinic
Escondido
A VA outpatient clinic serving inland North County with primary care, mental health care and other outpatient services.
VA outpatient clinic
Oceanside VA Clinic
Oceanside
A VA outpatient clinic serving coastal North County with primary care, mental health care and other outpatient services.
Vet Center — free counseling
San Diego Vet Center
San Diego
A community counseling center, separate from the VA hospital, offering free readjustment and family counseling to eligible veterans, service members and their families.
These are official public resources listed for your convenience. Hours, phone numbers, and locations can change — and clinics occasionally close temporarily — so please call ahead before traveling.
Home-health services for veterans in San Diego County
Skilled nursing at home
Learn more →Physical, occupational & speech therapy
Learn more →Home health aide & personal care
Learn more →Recovery after hospital or surgery
Learn more →Chronic condition care
Learn more →Medication management
Learn more →Wound care
Learn more →Dementia & memory support
Learn more →
Ready to get care started at home?
Tell us about your veteran and their coverage, and a caring local person will help arrange trusted, licensed home-health care. Free, and with no obligation.
Get home-health careVeteran care in San Diego County — common questions
How do I get home health care for a veteran in San Diego County?
Start with the veteran’s VA care team and ask for a home health consult — the VA can authorize a community agency to provide care at home, but it generally must be approved before care starts. We can also connect you with trusted, licensed home-health care in San Diego County for free.
Who helps file a VA claim for free in San Diego County?
The County Veterans Service Office listed above. Its officers are accredited to prepare and file VA claims at no charge, and they know the local VA system. Free help is also available from VA-accredited representatives and veterans service organizations.
Does the VA pay for a home health aide in San Diego County?
It can. The VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide program provides an aide for help with bathing, dressing, and daily care, and Veteran-Directed Care may let the veteran hire their own worker — sometimes a family member. Ask the VA social worker about both by name.
What if the veteran is not enrolled in VA health care?
Enrolling is the first step, and many veterans who assume they are ineligible actually qualify — especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility. The County Veterans Service Office will help with enrollment for free.
Related guides
If a veteran is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1. Available 24/7.
SoCal Home Health is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This is free educational information, not legal or benefits advice, and not a determination of eligibility. Accredited Veterans Service Officers help you file claims at no charge — you should never have to pay for help applying for VA benefits.