Veterans
San Mateo County Veterans Fund
The San Mateo County Veterans Fund was created in 2017 and is administered by the San Mateo County Human Services Agency’s County Veterans Office to support veterans’ initiatives and the needs of the County veteran population. The 2011‐2015 American Community Survey 5‐Year Estimates report that there are 28,739 veterans residing in San Mateo County. Contributions to the Veterans Fund will be considered as a general donation deposited to the Veterans Trust Fund to be used for extraordinary one‐time requests to support veteran individuals who are currently being served by County programs. Extraordinary requests are to fill a special need that is not able to be met through any other funding source or program. Examples of one‐time extraordinary needs can include:
- Education related expenses (books, course)
- Required equipment not covered by other funding sources
- Scholarships
- Employment related support
- Re‐integration activities
- Other related needs
This fund will not pay for administrative or operational expenses; 100% of donated funds are deposited directly to the Veterans Trust Fund account. Funding requests for the Veterans Fund program will be accepted and reviewed by the County Veterans Services Office. Contributions can be made by check payable to the Veteran Trust Fund and mailed to the Human Services Agency, Attention Veterans Trust Fund at 1 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002. For more information about the Veterans Fund, please contact Norman Aleman at (650) 802‐7501.
College Fee Waiver
Dependents of a veteran who has a 0% to 100% disability VA rating may be eligible for free tuition to any Junior College or State and UC Universities. Visit us today to learn more about this California State benefit.
San Mateo County Veteran Fund
County Veteran ID Card
The San Mateo County Veterans Services Office is proud to provide the over 33,000 San Mateo County Veterans with a free Veterans ID Card. These cards identify Veterans who served in our Armed Forces, and received an honorable discharge following their military service.
About the County Veterans Services Office
Established in 1946, the San Mateo County Veterans Services Office (CVSO) helps veterans access state and federal benefits that help veterans, their spouses and family members.The CVSO also provides information and referrals to a wide range of services and connects veterans to programs such as the California Veteran College Fee Waiver for veterans and dependents.
Please note: The CVSO is NOT a part of the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
What does this program offer?
Staff from the County Veterans Services Office can assist veterans and their families with the following:
- Service-connected disability compensation claims
- Non-service connected pension claims
- California State veterans benefits
- Veterans Affairs (VA) life insurance
- VA burial benefits
- VA home loans
- College fee tuition waivers for dependents
Veterans of all ages may be eligible for a range of services and benefits, compensation, pensions, and medical services. Information and referrals for additional clinical, medical, counseling, nonprofit services, and emergency assistance are also available.
They can also receive in-home care, vocational counseling, home loans, retroactive payments and college fee waivers for their children.
Who can benefit from this program?
You are eligible for veterans benefits if you are a:
- Veteran
- Spouse of a veteran
- Surviving spouse of a veteran
- Child of a deceased or disabled veteran
- Parent who lost a son or daughter in military service
What else should I know?
We can help you with information and/or referral for:
- Post Traumatic Stress Therapy
- Alcoholism and drug dependency treatment
- Emergency shelter, food, health, mental health
- Community-based agencies
- Home-based help for the physically challenged
- VA outpatient medical and dental treatment
- VA hospitalization
- Discharge upgrading
Other questions?
- Call 211 to connect with community services for food, shelter, job services, child care, senior services, counseling and much, much more. To use the services just dial “211.”
- For emergency food and to apply for CalFresh (food stamps): San Mateo County Food Connection 1-800-934-3663
Veterans Crisis Line:
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
How can I apply or learn more?
Begining March 13, 2017 we are at a new location in San Carlos.
San Mateo County Veterans Service Office (CVSO):
550 Quarry Road
San Carlos , CA 94070
(650) 802-6598
Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, closed from 12pm-1pm
Clients will be seen on a first come first serve basis with last clients seen at 11am and 3:30pm.
Fridays are by appointment only from 8am-12pm. Please call our main line at (650) 802-6598 to make an appointment.
On Tuesdays we are at:
795 Willow Road Bldg 348
Menlo Park, CA 94025
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
No appointments, clients are seen on a first come first serve basis. The last client will be seen at 2pm.
The information on this page is for reference only. Speak to a staff person for the most up-to-date information.