If this is an emergency
- Call 911 for a police, fire or medical emergency.
- Call or text 988 for a mental health or substance use crisis.
- Indiana FSSA DMHA: 988 Indiana says: “911 remains available for police, fire, and medical emergencies.” (checked 2026-10-12)
- Indiana FSSA DMHA: 988 Indiana says: “a mental health or substance use crisis, please call or text 9-8-8” (checked 2026-10-12)
Indiana guidance. Status unknown, call to confirm.
Veteran seeking support in Indiana
If you are a veteran in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line first. For housing, call VA's homeless veterans line. For benefits, start with your county veterans service officer. This guide does not decide eligibility.
Step 1: In crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis Line
Call 988 and select 1, or text 838255. VA says a Veterans Crisis Line responder is there anytime, day or night.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Mental health care says: “To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime, day or night: Call 988 and select 1.” (checked 2026-10-15)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Mental health care says: “Text 838255” (checked 2026-10-15)
Step 2: Homeless or about to be? Call VA
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. VA asks veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness to call.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH says: “contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for assistance” (checked 2026-10-15)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH says: “If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness” (checked 2026-10-15)
Step 3: Find your county veterans service officer
The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs lists each county's service officer with office hours and phone. Call the office for your county and ask what it can help with.
- Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs: Locate your County Veteran Service Officer says: “Service Officer & Address Office Hours & Phone #” (checked 2026-10-15)
Step 4: Call the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs
The IDVA main line is 317-232-3910. Ask about state veteran programs. IDVA's Military Family Relief Fund pages list its eligibility criteria and applications. Funding: status unknown, call to confirm.
- Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs: Military Family Relief Fund says: “IDVA Main Line: 317-232-3910” (checked 2026-10-15)
- Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs: Military Family Relief Fund says: “View Eligibility Criteria” (checked 2026-10-15)
- Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs: Military Family Relief Fund says: “Find all Military Family Relief Fund applications here.” (checked 2026-10-15)
Step 5: Get your DD-214 if you need it
The National Archives says most veterans and their next of kin can get free copies of their DD Form 214. Basic requests are usually free, but it depends on the discharge date.
- National Archives: Request Military Service Records says: “most veterans and their next of kin can obtain free copies of their DD Form 214” (checked 2026-10-15)
- National Archives: Request Military Service Records says: “Most basic requests are free but it depends on the discharge date.” (checked 2026-10-15)
Keep these ready if you have them
- DD-214 or other discharge papers, if you have them
- Any VA or Indiana benefit letters
- A phone number where you can be reached
Status unknown, call to confirm. Office hours, appointments and funding change. Call 2-1-1 before you make plans.
- Indiana FSSA: Indiana 211 says: “they know they can dial 2-1-1 or visit our website” (checked 2026-10-12)
Not legal advice. The agency or program decides what applies to your situation.