Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC) provides free legal representation, advice, and referrals to Veterans in every town in Connecticut.
UPDATE (11/7/2025):
In order to best serve our clients, we are not currently accepting any new cases related to VA benefits, service-connection, or discharge upgrades. We recommend reaching out to your local VFW, American Legion, DAV Chapter or other trusted VSO, who may be able to assist during this period. We also remain closed to new clients seeking wills or with other probate issues.
We plan to re-open to new cases on January 5, 2026. If at that time you (or, if you are a clinician, the veteran with whom you work) are still interested in pursuing a claim, please reach out to us again. We are not currently keeping a wait list for any of these issues and will require a new inquiry. We appreciate your understanding.
We remain open for new clients with civil legal issues, including eviction, housing conditions issues, and consumer debt. If you are confronting any of these issues, please contact our Screening Team at intakes@ctveteranslegal.org or call or text (203) 479-0375.
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."
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
Cyd Oppenheimer
Supervising Attorney, Screening
Juliet Taylor
Intake and Program Access Specialist
Jeanine Avitabile
Legal Screener
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 : You do not need to be affiliated with VA to provide 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
