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 provides free legal representation, advice, and referrals to Veterans in every town in Connecticut.
In order to provide the best level of service, with the exception of Discharge Upgrades, we prioritize serving Veterans who have a clinician referral. Are you a clinician or case manager 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 to income, housing, and healthcare.
Learn more about our various legal services below. If you are looking to get to CVLC please have your clinician fill out the forms on our clinician referral page here OR call or text our intake line at 203-479-0375.
Are you in crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 then press 1 OR text 838255.
"They're so wonderful [at CVLC] and so helpful. I'm really lucky that I found these people and they are willing to help me."
CVLC Services & Legal Counsel Support
Veterans Benefits & VA Access
Housing & Right to Counsel
VA & Discharge Upgrades
*Discharge Upgrades are currently being scheduled no sooner than January 2025*
consumer debt disputes
Military sexual Trauma (MST)
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.
Get Connected with CVLC's Legal Services
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 get connected to CVLC’s legal teams and start the intake process, please have your referring clinician fill out our CVLC Intake Packet form here. This packets are required before proceeding to a screening interview where your legal issue and eligibility will be discussed. You clinician can also submit the form via fax at (203) 889-0111.
Still have questions? 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.
Meet our Screening & Referral Team
Karen Gargamelli-McCreight
Screening Attorney
Juliet Taylor
Intake and Program Access Specialist
Jeanine Avitabile
Intake 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
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) Morgan Gray, Marine Corps Veteran and former client. 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
