More than 207,000 veterans live in the Constitution State, and Connecticut has several established organizations and specialized benefits for veterans and their families. Connecticut has provided care for Veterans and their dependents for over 140 years. The first veterans home was founded in 1864, known as Fitch’s Home for Soldiers and Their Orphans, named after philanthropist Benjamin Fitch who established the home for Civil War veterans and orphans from that war.

Today, the Connecticut Veterans’ Home in Rocky Hill continues to provide general medical care for honorably discharged veterans. The Sgt. John L. Levitow Veterans Health Center Health Care Facility includes 180 beds for extended health care to veterans through physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, an Alzheimer unit, and hospice care. The CT Veterans’ Home also features a domicile with 483 beds, offering a continuum of rehabilitation care including a substance abuse treatment, educational and vocational rehabilitation, job skills development, self-enhancement workshops, employment assistance, and transitional living opportunities.

The Connecticut Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Fund was established in 1919 to assist wartime veterans and their families in times of emergency or need. Eligible veterans with 90 days of wartime service can apply for assistance via this state fund administered by the American Legion. An applicant must be a resident of the State of Connecticut at the time of application for benefits, and the funds can be used for emergency needs such as clothing, food, medical and surgical aid, and general care and relief (limitations do apply).  For more information, you can call toll free (844) 454-8900.

Connecticut state law provides tuition waivers and tuition coverage for certain veterans and dependents who attend state, regional, community and technical colleges, and state universities. In order to be eligible for a tuition waiver, one must have served 90 days of active duty during a period of war, have been accepted to an approved institution, and have resided in Connecticut for at least one year upon enrolling in college. A veteran's dependents can qualify for tuition waiver if the veteran is declared MIA while serving in the armed forces after January 1, 1960. Contact the Veterans Services or Financial Aid/Bursar’s Office of the school you are interested in attending and be sure to take a copy of your separation papers with you when applying for admission and registering for courses.

The VA Connecticut Healthcare System VA Connecticut is comprised of an inpatient facility and ambulatory care center in West Haven; an ambulatory care center in Newington; and six primary care community-based outpatient clinics (Danbury, New London, Stamford, Waterbury, Willimantic, and Winsted). Additionally, the Errera Community Care Center in West Haven provides a continuum of psychosocial, medical, and educational services that include acute to long-term rehabilitation, job training, crisis intervention, housing, case management, education/skills training, recreation/creative arts therapy, and vocational rehabilitation.

The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center operates under the mission of helping veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare, and income. Hundreds of attorneys and paralegals across the state volunteer every year to represent veterans requesting help from the CVLC. Common issues include evictions, foreclosures, consumer debt collections, divorce and child support, VA and Social Security income, criminal pardons, and tax issues. The Center also assists with military record corrections and is an active advocate in reforming and improving the systems that veterans depend upon. The Center is located in West Haven and you can contact them at (203) 794-4291.

To find out what veterans benefits exist in other states in the U.S. please visit our complete Veterans Benefits by State guide here.

Connecticut Veterans Benefit for Assisted Living

The Aid and Attendance pension benefit is available to Connecticut senior veterans and their spouses to help pay for senior care like assisted living, home care, or nursing home care. Here is more information on how the Aid and Attendance benefit helps Connecticut veterans.

Written By Megan Hammons