City of Santa Maria
Home MenuVeterans Connect Resources
Veterans Connect @ The Library provides assistance to veterans and their families in gaining access to benefits they earned while serving their country. Please call the the Library information desk at (805) 925-0994 extension 8562 or email libraryreference@cityofsantamaria.org for more information about this program.
Check the library calendar for periodic special programming geared towards veterans and their families.
This program is funded through a grant from the California State Library.
Veterans Connect Resources
Go to JobNow/VetNow on this webpage
California Veterans Connect Website
This website will guide the Veteran to services in his/her community.
California Veterans Resource Book
This comprehensive guide outlines the wide variety of services available to Veterans and their families from the State of California. Free printed copies of this handbook are available at Santa Maria Public Library
If you are a veteran or an active-duty member of the US military, then there are important facts to be aware of about your potential exposure to asbestos during your service career.
Local Resources
Allan Hancock College – Veteran Success Center
AHC’s Veteran Success Center provides multi-faceted assistance to prospective and enrolled student-veterans and dependents that will aid in their transition to college. In addition, the center assists students in accessing their GI benefits, completing the admission application process, registering for classes, accessing campus resources, getting involved in leadership activities, and transitioning into the civilian work world.
American Legion Post 56
The American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization aimed at advocating patriotism across the U.S. through diverse programs and member benefits. This Facebook page is devoted to the local post.
Santa Barbara County’s website for connecting people to health and human services information.
The California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
The California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO) is an organization of professional veteran’s advocates. In California, The County Veterans Service Officer plays a critical role in the veteran’s advocacy system and is often the initial contact in the community for veteran’s services. Through the County Veterans Service Officer, the CACVSO is committed to California Counties to provide a vital and efficient system of services and advocacy to veterans, their dependents and survivors.
California State Parks Distinguished Veteran Pass
Honorably discharged war veterans who are residents of California with an overall / combined rating at 50 percent or greater service-connected disability, or were held as prisoners of war by forces hostile to the United States, or recipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible to receive the Distinguished Veteran Pass (formerly Disabled War Veteran/Prisoner of War Pass). Download application here.
Military Consumer Protection
Helpful information on military consumer protection issues including scam alerts, and resources and tips for financial readiness.
State of California Department of Veterans Affairs
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) works to serve California veterans and their families. Learn about the State and Federal benefits you are entitled to receive and how to claim them.
State of California Employment Development Department
The Employment Development Department (EDD) assists veterans and their eligible spouses to maximize their employment and training opportunities. Veterans are entitled to many resources designed to help in their search for employment.
Veterans Property Tax Exemption
The Disabled Veterans' Exemption reduces the property tax liability for qualified veterans who, due to a service-connected injury or disease, have been rated 100 percent disabled or are being compensated at the 100 percent rate due to unemployability.
Federal Resources
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The CFPB is committed to addressing consumer financial challenges affecting service members, veterans, and their families. CFPB does that through financial education, monitoring of complaints submitted by consumers to the CFPB, and coordinating with other Federal and state agencies on military consumer protection measures.
My Healthevet
My HealtheVet offers you tips and tools to help you partner with your health care team, so together you may work to manage your health. The support tools on this page are designed to enrich your experience with My HealtheVet and help you make informed decisions.
Research Military Records at the National Archives
If you've been discharged from military service, your personnel files are stored here at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). We are the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard.
TRICARE
TRICARE is the health care program for uniformed service members and their families. Provides comprehensive coverage to all beneficiaries, including health plans, special programs, prescriptions, and dental plans.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics.
US Department of Veterans Affairs
The Federal government office that works to serve veterans. Apply for benefits, health care, prescriptions, life insurance among other services online.
Other Resources
10 Reasons Why Veterans Make Great Employees To say that veterans can handle a great deal of responsibility is an understatement. Many of these strong individuals have come through challenges and seen more difficult moments than most of us can imagine. Compared to some of the courageous actions on a battlefield or tense moments in making important decisions, a civilian job can seem like a walk in the park.
Find Federal jobs
USAJOBS connects job seekers with Federal employment opportunities across the United States and around the world. As the Federal Government’s official employment site, USAJOBS provides resources to help the right people find the right jobs.
Foundation for Women Warriors
Foundation for Women Warriors connects female veterans to affordable housing options, employment, professional development, transition assistance, advanced education and legal assistance.
Social Security Benefits
Social Security has provided financial protection for our nation's people for over 80 years. Chances are, you either receive Social Security benefits or know someone who does. With retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Social Security is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in our nation's history.
Make the Connection
This online resource is designed to connect Veterans, their families and friends, and other supporters with information, resources, and solutions to issues affecting their lives. Whether the Veteran is transitioning from service, experiencing alcohol or drug problems, this site offers many resources to help cope with these issues.
PTSD: National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is dedicated to research and education on trauma and PTSD. Working toward assuring that the latest research findings help those exposed to trauma.