Book update page

Returning Home: Records, Housing, Work, School and Family

This Vols4Vets.com page keeps current links, phone numbers and source notes for the book chapter.

Official-source caution: Vols4Vets.com is a routing companion to the book. Official agencies, crisis lines, providers and program pages control action, eligibility, deadlines, phone numbers and forms.

Who this helps

Veteran returning from overseas, spouse, adult child.

Best first step

Use VA.gov, NARA, state veteran agency and local resources in the destination state.

What to gather

DD214, address, school records, job plan, insurance status and local support contacts.

Safety notes

Do not assume your records, housing search and job search can all wait until after you settle in. Some steps need to start before you arrive.
Do not promise a landlord, employer or school a start date before your paperwork is confirmed.
Do not wait until a deadline, bill, move date or appointment is nearly here. Start while there is still room to fix it.

Resource cards for this chapter

VA.gov

Use VA.gov to apply, check status, manage benefits or find the right VA page

Phone: 800-698-2411

Official website: https://www.va.gov/

What to gather: DD214, ID, records, account access, benefit-specific documents

Source type: Official federal benefits portal

Date checked: 2026-07-04

Safety note: Vols4Vets is not VA and does not decide eligibility.

National Archives Military Service Records

Start an official records request through NARA or VA path

Phone: N/A

Official website: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

What to gather: Name used in service, branch, dates, SSN/service number if available

Source type: Official federal records source

Date checked: 2026-07-04

Safety note: Private records should be handled carefully.

State Veteran Agency

Start with the official state veteran agency

Phone: No phone listed

Official website: Official state website varies

What to gather: DD214, residence, disability rating if relevant and benefit question

Source type: Official state source

Date checked: 2026-07-05

Safety note: Starting point only. Verify directly. Do not treat as legal, medical, tax, financial or VA claims advice.

Website update page purpose

Use this page to check current official links, phone numbers and source notes that can change after the printed book.

Back to Overseas, OCONUS and Returning Home

Last source package check: 2026-07-06. This page does not provide legal, medical, tax, financial or VA claims advice.