DAV is a strong and influential advocate for veterans, fighting on their behalf to ensure they receive the full range of services and protections they deserve. We do this by providing free, professional assistance to all veterans and their families in obtaining VA benefits, and by advocating for the rights of ill and injured veterans on Capitol Hill. And we do it all for free, without any government funding.

We have a proven track record of results. We help veterans obtain needed benefits through 100 offices in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and through mobile service units which travels to rural communities. We provide help finding jobs, a place to live and quality health care. We bring together veterans struggling with physical, mental or emotional injuries to share their experiences as part of the healing process. We are here to help veterans over­come great odds as they try to regain a sense of normalcy and take back their lives.

We’re effective because we’ve been doing this for over 90 years, and because our team is comprised of fellow veterans. They’re not only good at what they do, they understand better than anyone else the unique and pressing needs facing veterans returning home who must learn to live with illnesses or injuries related to their service.

DAV focuses on the people returning from service, not just a specific illness or injury. We provide services to address physical injuries, but also emotional and economic well-being. We empower veterans to lead fulfilled, high-quality lives. We also respond to the needs of their entire families.

• We help returning veterans transition back to civilian life by linking them with services that address their physical, emotional and financial needs.
• We link service-injured veterans to job training and job assistance programs.
• We provide free, professional assistance to veterans of all generations in obtaining VA and other government benefits earned through service.
• We provide transportation for veterans who need help getting to and from medical appointments.
• We help homeless veterans by providing food and shelter while connecting veterans to medical care, benefits counseling and job training.
• We give emergency grants to ill and injured veterans impacted by natural disasters.

On Capitol Hill, DAV helps promote policies which ensure veterans and their families can live with respect and dignity. When our leaders testify before Congress, policymakers listen, not just because we’ve been around for more than 90 years, but because we are backed by our members – 1.2 million veterans – a voice that policymakers cannot ignore. We helped gain national recognition of PTSD, developed the primary treatment program the VA uses today and have advocated for veterans with mental health challenges for more than a half century.