For Clinicians
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC) provides free legal representation, advice, and referrals to Veterans in every town in Connecticut.
PLEASE NOTE (2/24/2025): Due to the extremely high volume of calls, at this time we can only accept new clients who have a clinician referral from the VA or another clinician partner. This includes requests from those seeking help with an eviction. Please have your clinician submit a referral OR contact Statewide Legal Services for help at 1-800-453-3320. CTLawHelp.org has FREE self-help materials that may be useful.
Clinician referrals are required for legal services related to VA Benefits access or appeals or other civil-legal issues. Veterans seeking discharge upgrades, however, MAY contact us directly due to the nature of “bad paper” discharges. For a list of who qualifies as a “clinician” scroll to the bottom of this page in the blue box.
Please note, it can take up to 5 business days for our team to respond.
These guidelines have been put in place in an effort to ensure we are providing the best possible care and legal services to our community and serve as many Veterans as we can. Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you all the best in resolving your legal challenges.
We prioritize serving Veterans who are low-income. You will be asked to share accurate income information during the screening process. If you are unsure about whether you will qualify, we urge you to reach out and talk to our Intake & Screening team at intakes@ctveteranslegal.org.

"As a primary care physician for patients experiencing homelessness I have witnessed firsthand the power of legal assistance in improving the lives of my patients."
- Dr. David McNamara, VA Nurse
Referring A Veteran / Client
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC) works with Veterans in treatment recovering from mental health challenges, addiction and substance abuse, and/or experiencing homelessness. CVLC works directly with Veterans who are referred to us by their mental health clinician, case manager, or physician.
To make a client referral, please follow these steps:
- Completely fill out the CVLC Referral Packet (opens as a pdf)
- Submit to our Intake and Screening Team via email at intakes@ctveteranslegal.org OR via fax to (203) 889-0111.
- Once we receive the completed form, a member of our Intake and Screening team will be in contact with you. Please note that it can take up to 5 business days for us to review this information.
CVLC’s legal services are partially funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness (LSV-H) Grant Program. As part of this grant program, CVLC is committed to upholding the LSV-H Program Policy of Non-Discrimination Based on Religion. Read the policy here.
Meet Our Intake & Screening Team

Karen Gargamelli-McCreight
Screening Attorney

Juliet Taylor
Intake and Program Access Specialist

Jeanine Avitabile
Legal Screener

Vee Warden
Screening Receptionist
Clinicians Who can Make a CVLC Referral
- Addiction Therapist
- APRN /Nurse
- Behavioral Health Clinician
- Case Manager
- Community Support Worker
- Employment Specialist
- Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
- Mental Health Clinician
- Neurologist
- Occupational Therapist
- OEF/OIF Social Worker
- Outreach Social Worker
- Peer Support Specialist
- Primary Care Physician
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Readjustment Counselor
- Social Worker
- SSVF Case worker
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- VASH Case Manager
- Veteran’s Jail Diversion Case Manager
- Vocational Specialist
PLEASE NOTE (2/24/2025): Your referring clinician does not need to be affiliated with VA to give you a referral. CVLC accepts referrals from a variety of sources including community organizations, nonprofit agencies, and healthcare providers.
Thank You to our program funders and partners
