VETERAN SUPPORT & RESOURCES
Practical help for veterans and families navigation housing, health, employment, and life after service.
If you are a veteran, family member, or caregiver seeking support, the resources below may help. This page brings together trusted organizations across South Carolina—prioritizing the Midlands—to assist with housing stability, mental health care, basic needs, employment, legal guidance, and peer support. You are not alone, and help is available.
NEED HELP RIGHT NOW?
If you or a veteran you care about is in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, confidential help is available 24/7 through the resources HERE.
HOW TO USE THIS PAGE
This resource hub is organized by need. You do not need to contact every organization listed—many veterans start with one call and are guided from there. If you’re unsure where to begin, scroll down and reach out to VALanthropy for help navigating available options.
Stable housing is foundational. The resources below assist veterans facing homelessness, eviction risk, or housing instability through emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term supportive housing options. Availability and eligibility may vary by location.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES
Provides short-term assistance to prevent homelessness, including help with rent, utilities, case management, and housing placement for eligible veterans.
SERVING ALL OF SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT VETERANS AFFAIRS
Connects veterans to housing programs, benefits navigation, and local Veteran Service Officers who can assist with referrals and eligibility.
SERVICES ALL OF SOUTH CAROLINA
ALSTON WILKES SOCIETY
Offers transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and reentry services for veterans, including those facing homelessness or justice involvement.
SERVICES THE MIDLANDS OF SC AND STATEWIDE PROGRAMS
TRANSITIONS HOMELESS CENTER
Provides emergency shelter, supportive housing programs, and veteran-focused services in the Midlands, including case management and housing placement support.
SERVICES COLUMBIA, SC AND MIDLANDS REGION
SUMTER UNITED MINISTRIES
Offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and housing stability support for individuals and families in the Sumter area.
SERVICE AREA SUMTER COUNTY
ONE80 PLACE
Provides shelter, housing navigation, and supportive services for veterans experiencing homelessness, with a focus on long-term stability.
SERVICE ARE COLUMBIA AND THE MIDLANDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
HIDDEN WOUNDS VETERANS VILLAGE
A permanent supportive housing community designed to provide stable housing and wraparound services for veterans who have fallen through traditional systems.
Housing is in process of being built.
SERVICE AREA CURRENTLY SUMTER, SC
Support is available for veterans coping with PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use, and other invisible wounds. The resources below include confidential counseling, peer support, and clinical care options across South Carolina. If you are in immediate crisis, please use the crisis resources at the top of this page.
Veterans Crisis Line
Confidential, 24/7 support for veterans and their families experiencing emotional distress or crisis. Available by phone, text, or online chat.
Call or Text: 988 (Press 1)
Services Nationwide.
VA Vet Centers (Community-Based Counseling)
Provides free, confidential counseling for combat veterans, MST survivors, and their families. Vet Centers operate separately from VA hospitals and do not require enrollment in VA healthcare.
Service Area: South Carolina Statewide
DORN VA Medical Center - Mental Health Services
Offers outpatient and inpatient mental health care, PTSD treatment, substance use services, and specialty programs for eligible veterans.
SERVICE AREA: Columbia, Midlands of South Carolina, with Statewide Referrals
Hidden Wounds (Peer Support & Non-Clinical Programs)
Provides peer support, retreats, and community-based healing programs for veterans and first responders coping with PTSD and trauma.
Located in Sumter, South Carolina
Service Area: South Carolina & Regional programs
Big Red Bard Retreat
A non-clinical, peer-based retreat offering trauma-informed programs for veterans, first responders, and their families.
Service Area : South Carolina
Military One Source
Provides confidential counseling, referrals, and resources for service members, veterans, and families—no VA enrollment required.
Service Area : nationwide
Phone : 800-342-9647
Need help finding Mental health Support for you or a loved one? Click the link below and a member of our team will reach out to assist you.
Assistance with food, utilities, clothing, transportation, and other essentials needs may be available through local and statewide partners. These resources help veterans and families stabilize during periods of financial or personal hardship.
SC 211 - UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
A free, confidential service that connects individuals to local resources for food, utilities, housing support, transportation, and emergency assistance.
CALL: 2-1-1
Service Area: Statewide
HARVEST OF HOPE FOOD BANK
Provides food assistance through local partner pantries across South Carolina, including veteran-accessible locations.
Service Area: Statewide and locations available in the Midlands.
SUMTER UNITED MINISTRIES
Offers food pantry services, emergency financial assistance, clothing, and support services for individuals and families in need.
Service Area: Sumter County
THE COOPERATIVE MINISTRY
Provides food assistance, clothing, hygiene items, and emergency support services for individual and familes.
Service Area: Columbia/Midlands
SALVATION ARMY OF THE MIDLANDS
offers emergency assistance with food, utilities, clothing, and seasonal support programs.
Service Area: Midlands & surrounding counties
SC LIHEAP - LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Provides assistance with heating and cooling costs for eligible households.
Service Area: Statewide
VFW - VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS - UNMET NEEDS PROGRAM
Provides emergency financial assistance for veterans and families facing unexpected hardship.
Service Area: Nationwide
Access to medical and dental care is essential to overall stability and well-being. the resources below provide healthcare options for veterans, including VA services, community clinics, and low-cost or no-cost care across South Carolina.
DORN VA MEDICAL CENTER
Provides comprehensive medical care, mental health services, specialty clinics, and referrals for eligible veterans.
Service Area: Midlands & Statewide referrals.
SUMTER VA CLINIC
Offers primary care, preventive services, and referrals to VA specialty care for veterans in Sumter area.
Service Area: Sumter County
Located in Sumter, SC
VA COMMUNITY CARE NETWORK
Allows eligible veterans to receive medical care from approved community providers when VA facilities are not easily accessible.
Service Area: Statewide
FREE MEDICAL CLINIC OF COLUMBIA
Provides free primary medical care to uninsured or underinsured adults, including veterans.
Located in Columbia, SC
Service Area: Midlands
SUMTER UNITED MINISTRIES FREE MEDICAL CLINIC
Offers medical services and referrals for individuals without access to traditional healthcare.
Located in Sumter, SC
Service Area: Sumter County
WELLPARTNERS DENTAL CLINIC
Provides low-cost dental care through a partnership between dental professionals and community organizations.
Service Area: Midlands
MUSC HEALTH - DENTAL & MEDICAL SERVICES
Offers comprehensive medical and dental services, including specialty care and referrals.
Service Area: Statewide, but Locations may vary
If you would like assistance locating Medical or Dental Support click below and a member of our team will be in contact.
Legal assistance and benefits navigation can help veterans protect their rights, resolve challenges, and access earned services. The resources below provide guidance with VA benefits, legal issues, discharge upgrades, housing-related legal matters, and financial protections.
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (SCDVA)
Provides access to accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) who assist with VA benefits, claims, appeals, and referrals to veteran-specific programs.
COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS (VSO)
Local VSOs provide one-on-one assistance with VA claims, benefits navigation, and eligibility questions at no cost.
USC VETERANS LEGAL CLINIC
Offers free legal services to veterans on issues such as benefits, discharge upgrades, housing stability, and consumer matters.
SOUTH CAROLINA LEGAL SERVICES
Provides civil legal assistance for eligible individuals, including help with housing, benefits, family law, and consumer protection..
LAWYERS 4 VETS
Connects veterans with volunteer attorneys who provide free legal assistance on a variety of civil legal issues.
VA OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL - LEGAL SERVICES
Provides information and resources related to veterans’ legal matters, benefits protections, and consumer issues.
CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU - MILITARY & VETERANS
Offers tools and guidance for veterans facing financial challenges, debt, credit issues, or predatory practices.
