To ensure that our staff is able to maintain the high level of service that our Veterans deserve, members of our team will be taking time off throughout the month of December to rest and be with their families.
CVLC intakes will be closed between December 20th through January 2nd. Clinicians can continue to submit referrals through our website or intake email. All referrals received during this closure will be reviewed beginning January 2nd. Please note that it may take up to 5 business days to review non-emergency materials.
All CVLC offices will be closed:
Tuesday, December 24—2:00 p.m. closure
Wednesday, December 25—Closed for Christmas holiday
Tuesday, December 31—2:00 p.m. closure
Wednesday, January 1—Closed for New Years holiday
If you have an emergency legal need, please call and leave a message on our intake line at (203) 794-4291 and some will get back to you as quickly as possible. If you are in immediate medical or mental health crisis, please call your clinician, visit the VA Emergency Room, or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 +1 for assistance.
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC) provides free legal representation, advice, and referrals to Veterans in every town in Connecticut.
Looking to make a referral, click here.
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.
As a recovery-focused organization, CVLC serves Veterans through a medical-legal partnership (MLP) model in which we partner with Veterans Administration Hospitals (“the VA”) and other connected providers to foster holistic support for Veterans alongside their clinicians. Our attorneys represent Veterans in almost every type of civil case related to our core mission of removing legal barriers for Veterans to access housing, healthcare, income and recovery.
Learn more about our various legal services below. If you are looking to make a referral, please fill out the form on the bottom of this page (in the blue section) and submit it through the referral form (at the bottom of the page) to our screening and referral team for review.
Still have questions? Check out our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.
"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."
CVLC SERVICES & LEGAL COUNSeL SUPPORT
VETERANS BENEFITS & VA ACCESS
HOUSING & RIGHT TO COUNseL
VA & DISCHARGE UPGRADES
CONSUMER DEBT DISPUTES
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST)
Trans & LGBTQ+ Support
Bias & DISCRIMINATION
PACT Act Information
As of March 5, 2024, all Veterans exposed to toxins are eligible to enroll in VA Healthcare without first applying for VA Benefits. Learn more and get started at www.va.gov/PACT.
Learn more using the links below. You should never be charged to apply for disability benefits. If you need help, seek out a Veterans Service Organization or other accredited agency.
VA landing page for PACT Act – how to apply, and what is covered
Veterans of Foreign Wars PACT Act landing page – details of what is covered and what is not
White House PACT Act Fact Sheet
If as part of your application process you are experiencing legal challenges and need legal support, please contact our intake like at (203) 479-0375.
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 to CVLC’s legal teams and start the intake process, please follow these steps:
- Completely fill out the CVLC Referral Packet (linked in the column to the right)
- Submit using the Client Referral Form (below), attaching the completed and signed CVLC Referral Packet OR fax the completed and signed form and packet to (203) 889-0111
- Once we receive the completed form, a member of our intake team will be in contact with you.
Still have questions? Email us at intakes@ctveteranslegal.org OR call or text our intake line at (203) 479-0375.
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.
Karen Gargamelli-McCreight
Screening Attorney
Juliet Taylor
Intake and Program Access Specialist
Jeanine Avitabile
Legal Screener
Vee Warden
Screening Receptionist
CVLC Referral Packet
Please download the CVLC referral packet, fill it out completely, and submit it as an attachment to the client referral form below.
Join Our Fight with a life-changing gift today
Your donation will help us serve more than 1,500 Veterans across Connecticut this year.
(top of page) Christy Fisher, CVLC Senior Counsel, meeting with David McNamara, VA Nurse. Photo by Desirea Stott-Rodgers Photography.
(middle of page) Stock images by RODNAE Productions.
(bottom of page) Charles McClain, Veteran and former client (left) and Robert Lagrua, Veteran and former client (right). Photos by Desirea Stott-Rodgers Photography.
Thank You to our program funders and partners
