🛠️ You asked. We listened. We’re updating our legal help pages based on your feedback. Get clearer answers to your questions—starting with how to get your security deposit back. Check it out →

Veterans

We help veterans and their family members in the Tampa Bay area and across the state of Florida with legal issues such as veterans benefits, family law, housing, consumer law, social security, advanced directives, expungement and sealing, and other legal matters.

Common Questions

As a veteran already receiving service-connected disability compensation, I think I should be getting more benefits. What can I do to increase my benefit amount?
Discharge Upgrade Guide: What if I have a bad discharge from the military?
I am a veteran and I have a disability. Am I eligible for Social Security benefits?
I am a veteran and I have a disability. Am I eligible for veteran's benefits?
I am a veteran diagnosed with PTSD. Are there benefits available to me?
I am disabled and get disability benefits. Do I still have to pay child support?
I can’t afford my child support payment. Can I lower the amount?
I served in the military but received a less than honorable discharge, and I feel that my character of discharge was unfair. What can I do?
I’m a veteran and my driver's license has been suspended due to unpaid child support. Is there anything I can do?
What other resources are available to help with veterans' legal problems?

Florida Veterans Legal Helpline

The Veterans Legal Helpline is available to eligible veterans living in Florida. Get help with veterans benefits, family cases, housing cases, drivers licenses, social security, advanced directives, and more.

To apply for services, call (866) 486-6161, Monday-Friday, 9.a.m.-4:30 p.m. If your matter is not an emergency, you can also apply anytime online.

Learn More

Upcoming Legal Clinics

See All Clinics

The Prosperity Center at Sligh Magnet Middle School

Typically, the first Tuesday of every month.

08:00 am - 11:00 am

Location

Hillsborough

At the Prosperity Center, Bay Area Legal Services will provide free, open legal intakes and legal education trainings.

Legal Information Center

Online: Typically, Monday-Friday. In-person: See schedule below.

Location

Hillsborough

The Legal Information Center is a free program to provide information to people who are representing themselves in Family Law cases in Hillsborough County.

Medical-Legal Partnership with Bay Pines VA (5 Locations)

Various days and times

Location

Virtual,

Hillsborough,

Pasco,

Pinellas,

Manatee,

Sarasota

The Medical-Legal Partnership with Bay Pines VA provides free legal assistance to veterans, and spouses or adult children of a veteran, who receive medical care at the Bay Pines VA or live in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties

Apply for Services

Apply by phone Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or apply online anytime for non-emergency legal matters. Language interpreters are available to you at no cost.

How do I apply? Am I eligible?

Bay Area Legal Services

If you live or have a case in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, or Sarasota counties, we may be able to help.

Call (800) 625-2257 to apply for service.

Or complete our online application and we will call you back.

Statewide Legal Helplines

If you live or have a case in Florida, we may be able to help.

Senior Legal Helpline: (888) 895-7873

Veterans Legal Helpline: (866) 486-6161

Disaster Legal Helpline: (833) 514-2940

TTY: (800) 955-8771