VA health care (with County Office of Veterans Services help) in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: Health care from VA for veterans. You apply once. VA then places you in a priority group, which sets what you pay.
Who runs it: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; County of Santa Clara Office of Veterans Services assists with claims and enrollment

What the program may consider

You served on active duty (with minimum-duty rules for enlistment after 1980)
Your discharge was anything other than dishonorable
VA assigns priority group 1 through 8 from service-connected rating, income and other factors
County Office of Veterans Services helps with the enrollment and related claims

How to get it

Health care from VA for veterans. You apply once. VA then places you in a priority group, which sets what you pay.

Before you start

Having this helps VA pension with Aid and Attendance or Housebound. If you get a VA pension, VA places you in a higher priority group. Aid and Attendance or Housebound places you higher still.
Having this helps Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. If you qualify for Medi-Cal, VA can place you in a higher priority group.

How to apply

VA health care application (VA Form 10-10EZ)

Apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center or clinic.

OnlineVA health care application onlineApply at your own pace. You can save it and come back later.
PhoneVA health benefits line: 1-877-222-8387Apply or get help by phone. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. TTY 711.
MailVA Health Eligibility Center (paper form 10-10EZ): Health Eligibility Center, PO Box 5207, Janesville, WI 53547-5207Mail the signed paper form and copies of your papers.
PhoneCounty of Santa Clara Office of Veterans Services: (408) 918-4980Free help from accredited staff with VA applications, appeals and other veterans' benefits, like the veterans' property tax exemption.
In personCounty of Santa Clara Office of Veterans Services office: 68 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95050Walk in Tuesdays, 8:10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., in person or on Zoom. On other weekdays, call for an appointment.
In personVA patient registration offices: San Jose VA Clinic, 5855 Silver Creek Valley Pl., Room 170, San Jose; or 3801 Miranda Ave., Building 100, first floor, Palo AltoGet answers or hand in your signed form 10-10EZ. Weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Getting help

Someone can refer you, with your permission

You can apply on your own. You, or a person with your power of attorney, must sign. Send a copy of their power of attorney papers with the form. If you sign with an X, two people you know must watch and sign too. Veterans service officers help for free. Only VA-approved (accredited) helpers may act for you on VA claims.

Only an accredited representative can act for you.

What happens after you apply

Apply online, by phone, by mail, or at a VA medical center or clinic. Have your discharge papers, like your DD214, ready.
The VAA helper can help with this
The form asks for last year's household income. You may skip it. Then you agree to pay any copays. Some veterans must share it to qualify.
Not needed if you get VA disability pay, a VA pension or Medi-Cal, and in some other cases
The VAA helper can help with this
VA mails you a letter. It says if you are enrolled and names your priority group. If VA says no, the letter tells you why and how to ask for a review.
The VAUsually in less than 1 week.
VA calls to welcome you and help set up your first doctor visit. VA also mails a handbook about your benefits.
The VAA helper can help with this
Go to your first visit. You can ask for a Veteran Health ID card to show when you check in.
The VAOnly you can do this

What only you can do

Sign the form, or have the person with your power of attorney sign it.
If you apply by phone, you must say yourself that your answers are true.
Give your discharge papers and your health insurance cards, like Medicare or Medi-Cal.
Go to your first VA visit.

How long it takes: VA usually decides in less than 1 week. Your first visit date depends on the clinic.
You are enrolled when: You are enrolled when VA's letter says so and names your priority group. Then you can book visits. You are fully set up after your first visit.
To keep it: You do not reapply each year. Tell VA when your income, insurance or address changes, on form 10-10EZR. If VA writes to check your income, answer the letter. With no answer in 75 days, VA uses tax records. You may then owe copays or lose enrollment. If VA plans to end your enrollment, it writes first. You then have 60 days to answer.