Falling behind on rent happens to working veterans every day — one missed paycheck or surprise expense is all it takes. Grant programs can pay your landlord directly and stop an eviction before it starts.
Emergency aid is paused right now — but you have other options
Wounded Warriors is a small, veteran-run 501(c)(3). We've committed our entire current emergency-aid budget to the veterans already in our queue, and our next funding cycle opens in Q4 2026. We'd rather be straight with you than leave you waiting on a reply that can't come yet.
Please don't wait on us. The organizations below help with the same bills — rent, utilities, medical, transportation — and several move faster than we can. Apply to more than one; there's no penalty, and the fastest "yes" wins.
Applications reopen in Q4 2026. You're welcome to check back then.
In crisis or thinking about hurting yourself? Call 988 then Press 1 (Veterans Crisis Line) or text 838255 — free, confidential, 24/7, no VA enrollment needed.
Get help today
National emergency funds for veterans
Operation Homefront — 1-877-264-3968Emergency grants paid straight to your landlord, utility, or mechanic for rent, mortgage, utilities, and repairs. All branches, any era — veterans and active-duty.
USA Cares — 1-800-773-0387Emergency grants for rent, mortgage, and utilities, paid to your creditor. All branches and eras; veterans and active-duty.
Semper Fi & America's Fund — 760-725-3680Case-managed financial help for veterans and service members who are combat-wounded, critically ill, or seriously injured. All branches.
VFW Unmet Needs — 1-866-789-6333Grants up to $2,500 for basic needs. Note: geared to active-duty and activated Guard/Reserve — confirm eligibility if you separated long ago.
Army Emergency Relief (AER) — 1-866-878-6378For the Army community — active, retired, and Guard/Reserve on Title 10 orders, plus families. Grants and zero-interest loans for rent, utilities, and more.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society — 703-696-4904For Sailors and Marines — active, retired, families, and surviving spouses. Interest-free loans and grants for rent, utilities, car repair, and food.
HUD rental assistance →Longer-term options: housing choice vouchers, public housing, and subsidized apartments.
Find local help by ZIP
Our open directory holds 144,800+ verified veteran resources nationwide. Search everything near you by ZIP code, or jump straight to the most relevant finders:
Your state likely runs its own veteran assistance programs on top of the federal ones — see our state guides (for example, Texas) for all 50 states + DC + 5 territories.
Common questions
Can Wounded Warriors pay my rent directly to my landlord?
Yes — that is exactly how our aid works. Approved grants are paid directly to the landlord or property manager, never to your personal account, so the payment reaches the bill it is meant for.
Who is eligible for rent help from Wounded Warriors?
US military veterans of any era and any branch, with a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. Active-duty servicemembers in their last 6 months of transition, National Guard and Reserve members who served, and surviving spouses with DIC eligibility also qualify. We do not require a VA disability rating.
Does rent assistance have to be repaid?
No. Our aid is a grant, not a loan — you never repay it. SSVF assistance through the VA is also grant-based. Be wary of anyone offering "rent help" that is actually a high-interest loan.
