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
- Photo ID
- 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
Apply at warriorsfund.org/grants/hrt-sponsorships. Include: DD-214, photo ID, coverage-gap documentation, provider estimate. Funding levels: $200-$2,500 per cycle, with multi-cycle continuity grants available for ongoing care.
Step 5: Case manager review + direct-to-provider disbursement
Case manager reviews coverage-gap documentation + provider estimate. Approved grants disburse DIRECTLY to the provider — never to the veteran. Disbursement typically 5-7 business days after approval. Continuity grants for sustained HRT care available based on outcome reporting.
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.
- Wounded Warriors maintains a provider directory of trans-affirming healthcare providers serving veterans. Contact info@warriorsfund.org for referrals.