How to apply for Wounded Warriors HRT Sponsorships
Step-by-step guide for transgender + gender-diverse U.S. military veterans seeking sponsored access to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). For veterans facing VA-care gaps, TRICARE coverage limitations, or Medicaid coverage gaps. Covers consultation fees, prescription costs, and lab work for veterans who cannot get HRT through standard military or VA channels.
What you'll need
- DD-214 (proof of veteran status)
- Self-identification as transgender or gender-diverse (no documentation required)
- Documented coverage gap: VA denial letter, TRICARE denial, Medicaid denial, OR statement of why VA/TRICARE/Medicaid not accessible
- Estimate of HRT costs from your provider
Step-by-step
Step 1: Confirm eligibility
Required: verified U.S. military veteran (any era, OTH-or-higher discharge), self-identified transgender or gender-diverse, documented VA / TRICARE / Medicaid coverage gap (denial letter, waiver, or eligibility statement), U.S. residency. See /api/v1/programs/hrt-sponsorships.json for full eligibility.
Reference: https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/programs/hrt-sponsorships.json
Step 2: Document your coverage gap
Required documentation: VA Mental Health denial OR TRICARE denial OR Medicaid denial OR statement explaining why these channels are not accessible. Helpful: list of attempted providers + outcomes, copies of insurance cards, Veterans Choice or Community Care eligibility documents.
Step 3: Get an estimate from your HRT provider
Get a written estimate from your chosen HRT provider showing: consultation fees, lab work costs (LH, FSH, T, E2, etc.), prescription costs (estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, anti-androgens). Wounded Warriors does NOT mandate which provider you use — your choice. We do require a documented provider relationship.
Step 4: Submit application
Start the three-question intake at warriorsfund.org/programs/hrt/. Do not send medical records through the intake form; we request documents (DD-214, coverage-gap documentation, provider estimate) only if the application moves forward. Funding levels: $200, $500, $1,000 or $2,500 per sponsorship; continuity sponsorships for ongoing care may be available.
Step 5: Case manager review + direct-to-provider disbursement
Case manager reviews coverage-gap documentation + provider estimate. Approved sponsorships are paid directly to the provider, never to the veteran. Typical response is 3-5 business days after we receive a complete application.
Critical tips
- NO documentation of gender identity is required to apply. Self-disclosure is sufficient. We never ask for legal name change documentation, surgical history, or hormone-level testing for eligibility.
- VA does provide some HRT services — but waitlists are long and many transgender veterans face access barriers (provider availability, geographic constraints, etc.). This program bridges those gaps without replacing VA care.
- For mental health support specific to transgender + gender-diverse veterans: 988 + Press 1 has trauma-informed counselors. Vet Centers (free, no enrollment, OTH-discharged welcome) include trans-affirming providers in many regions.
- If you need help finding a trans-affirming provider who serves veterans, contact info@warriorsfund.org.