Local, State and Federal Veterans Benefits. 

• Riverside County Department of Veterans Services .
• For assistance in applying for and obtaining veterans benefits from local, state and federal agencies. 
• Services include benefit counseling, claims preparation, development and submission and much more. 
• All services free.  760-863-8266 (Indio), 951-766-2566 (Hemet), 951-955-3060 (Riverside) or toll free 844-737-8838.

 

Emergency Food

• The Salvation Army Family Services Office
  • 760-324-2275 l 30400 Landau B. Cathedral City, CA 92234
  • Victoria.perezcastillo@usw.salvationarmy.org
  • Website: coachellavalley.salvationarmy.org l Weekly food bank.
• Find Food Bank contact, 760-775-3663  No dine-in/no take-out. 
• Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM)
  • ejones@cvrm.org  or call 760-347-3512 extension 229. 
  • 30,000 meals per month/2 meals per day for needy public and 3 per day for residents.

 

End of Life Planning

• Riverside County VA  (Indio) 760-863-8266 or (Riverside) 951-955-3060. 
  • General Information about rights/benefits as a veteran.
• Forest Lawn 760-328-3140
  • Identify yourself as a veteran or dependent. Variety of programs/offers for veterans.
• Riverside National Cemetery
  • 951-653-8417
  • Burial benefits for veterans and their families.
• The Salvation Army Inland Empire
  • Rich Mercado, Director of Gift Planning
  • 909.793.5820 | 800-275-3197

 

 

Financial/Insurance/Banking

• USAA
  • 1-800-531-8722
  • General Information. Banking/savings/car and home insurance for qualified veterans.
• Navy Federal Credit Union
  • 1-888-842-6328
  • Variety of banking options for military/veterans.
• Altura Federal Credit Union
  • 888-883-7228
  • General Information

 

Legal Services

• Riverside County VA
  • 760-863-8266 (Indio) or 951-955-3060 (Riverside)
  • General guidance on where to get help and your rights as a veteran.
• Reaching New Heights Foundation/Veterans Court
  • Greg Coker at 951-878-6900 (main office), extension 4951 or rnhinc3@att.net
  • Riverside. Works with the local judge (former military).
• National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)
  • www.nvlsp.org (Chat online) or 202-265-8305. National Organization.
• CalVet 
  • Contact for information regarding options.  www.calvet.ca.gov or Merlene Steinbeck at merlene.steinbeck@calvet.ca.gov
• Riverside Legal Aid/Indio Office
  • 760-347-9456
  • Help for low-income residents.
  • Civil cases only.

 

Fraternal

• American Legion Post 739 (Indio)
  • Steve Waggoner at 1hunt2fish49@gmail.com
• American Legion Post 519 (Palm Springs) 
  • 760-325-6229
• VFW Post 3699 (Indio)
  • Lenny Abramowitz lennycigar@gmail.com
• VFW Post 1534 (Desert Hot Springs)
  • Jeff Cole at veteranspost1534@gmail.com
• DAV  Chapter 78 (Indio)
  • Ron Heath (Secretary/Treasurer)
  • 760-423-3374
• Air and Space Forces Association (AFSA)
  • Meets at Palm Springs Air Museum.
  • All branches of service are welcome
  • David Mindell david.mindell@icloud.com
• Navy League  (Palm Springs)
  • John Easton at johneaston1942@gmail.com
• 1^st Marine Division
  • Gunny Puentes at  puentesrc@gmail.com
• MOAA 
  • contact Robert Ramirez at rramirez4@dc.rr.com 
• AmVets Post 77 (Loma Linda) 
  • Lisa Roybal at lisa.roybal@va.gov or amvetspost77@gmail.com
• Coachella Valley Airborne Association
  • Richard/Kay Gauthier kaygauthier@aol.com or 910-620-9485
• Viet Nam Veterans of America. Chapter 47. Inland Empire.
  • Contact Tony Scrudato at 513-290-0489 or ajscrudato@verizon.net

 

Museums

• General Patton Museum
  • 435-922-0213
• Palm Springs Air Museum
  • 760-778-6262

 

Federal/State Level Offices

• Congressman Raul Ruiz
  • Contact: Michael Bailey 760-424-8888 (Palm Desert Office)
  • Also an office in Hemet (951-765-2304)
• County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez 
  • 760-863-8211 Darin Schemmer at dschemmer@rivco.org or 760-863-8211
• Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia
  • 760-329-6257
• Riverside County VA 
  • 951-955-3060
• Social Security
  • contact Mirna Sanchez at mirna.sanchez@ssa.gov or call 877-319-5758
• DMV contact
  • 760-322-5174 Military/Veteran drivers licenses/license plates.  (Coachella Valley)
• Congressman Ken Calvert
  • Justin McEwan (951-277-0042)
  • Glenn Miller (760-275-6000)
  • Offices in Corona and Palm Desert)
• State Assemblyman Greg Wallis.
  • Felipe Ortiz and Michael Curry
  • Can be reached at 760-346-6342

Guide Dogs

•  K 9 Companions
  • 760-901-4308 Companion dogs for veterans.
• Guide Dogs of the Desert  
  • 760-329-6257 Help/Companion dogs

 

For more information, contact FindHelp.org or 211

 

Register to get the monthly e-mail newsletter (VEAP ReadBack).  It contains lots of information about benefits throughout the area (San Bernardino and Riverside Counties primarily). Contact Deanna Young at okmrsyoung@gmail.com to get on the distribution.

 

You can always reach out to the Cathedral City Corps of The Salvation Army for help getting plugged into the system.  They offer a wide variety of assistance to all residents of the Coachella Valley. 

Inquire within - Main Office l 760-324-2275 l 30400 Landau B. Cathedral City, CA 92234,

 

Get Involved!  Volunteer Opportunities in Area (Just a few of many)

1. The Salvation Army l Main Office –  760-324-2275 l 30400 Landau B. Cathedral City, CA 92234, Lots of different opportunities to serve.
2. Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM)  scurtis@cvrm.org or call 760-347-3512 extension 246
3. Find Food Bank  760-775-3663
4. Soldiers Organized Services (SOS)  Always can use more drivers.  Contact Erica Stone at estone@sosride.org or 760-799-5488
5. Palm Springs Air Museum.  A great experience to become a docent.  760-778-6262
6. Guide Dogs of the Desert.  760-329-6257