A free directory of 1434 places to get help in and around Grant County, New Mexico: shelter, food, recovery, health care, benefits, legal help and more. Kept up to date by the Silver City Gospel Mission.
A veteran needs helpUse when someone served in the military, Guard or Reserve and needs housing, health care, benefits or their discharge papers.
Needs military discharge papers (DD-214)Use when a veteran (or the family of a veteran who died) needs a copy of the DD-214 discharge papers for VA benefits, housing, a job, an ID, or a burial.
A veteran's family member needs helpUse when a spouse, child, parent or caregiver of a veteran or service member needs benefits, health coverage, counseling, money help or burial help.
Veterans post: fellowship, referrals and possible emergency helpconfirmed October 2026
Veterans · Faith and community
Silver City's American Legion post (Allingham-Golding Post 18). Veterans can find fellowship and ask about help with benefits; the post has given holiday food baskets to families in need. Email post18nm@gmail.com.
Lawyers Serving Warriors: free help with discharge upgradesconfirmed October 2026
Legal help, courts and re-entry · Veterans
Free volunteer lawyers for veterans of any era, anywhere, on 4 Defense Department issues: discharge upgrades (an other-than-honorable discharge can block VA benefits), medical retirement, Combat-Related Special Compensation and TSGLI. Apply online.
Who it's for: Veterans and service members needing help with a discharge upgrade, medical retirement, CRSC or TSGLI. Does NOT take VA claims, criminal, family or other cases.
NM Department of Veterans Services - Benefits Division2 services
State veteran property tax exemptions and reduced vehicle feesconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · Veterans · Utilities and bills
Up to $10,000 off the taxable value of a veteran's property; full exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability on their home; reduced car registration for veterans without enough property; free state park pass.
Who it's for: NM-resident veterans (honorable discharge) and unmarried surviving spouses; disabled veteran exemption requires a VA service-connected disability rating.
Veteran college scholarships (Vietnam, Wartime, Children of Deceased Veterans)confirmed October 2026
School, GED and reading · Veterans
State scholarships that pay tuition (plus books/fees) at NM public colleges for Vietnam veterans, veterans with post-1990 campaign medals, and children of certain veterans who died in service. Also in-state tuition for veterans and families.
Veteran employment services and Jobs4Vetsconfirmed October 2026
Jobs and training · Veterans
Veterans and eligible spouses get first access to job services. Veteran Employment Representatives at America's Job Centers help with job search, training and employer connections. Jobs4Vets job board online.
Veterans Justice Outreach (veterans in jail or court)confirmed October 2026
Mental health and crisis · Legal help, courts and re-entry · Veterans
VA staff work with jails, courts and police so veterans who are arrested, in jail or leaving incarceration get VA mental health and substance use treatment and housing help.
Veterans Justice Outreach and Health Care for Re-entry Veteransconfirmed October 2026
Legal help, courts and re-entry · Veterans
VA staff work with veterans in jail, in court (including treatment courts) or leaving prison. They link them to VA mental health, addiction treatment, housing and other VA services and plan for release.
Who it's for: Veterans involved with the justice system: arrested, in jail, facing court, or within months of release from state or federal prison. VA health care eligibility applies to some services.
Bring: DD-214 if available; name of the jail/court and case information.
24/7 support line for families of fallen military membersconfirmed October 2026
Mental health and crisis · Veterans · Death and burial
Free 24/7 helpline, peer mentors, grief support groups and casework for anyone grieving the death of someone who served in the military (any cause of death, including suicide or illness).
Who it's for: Family members, friends and fellow service members grieving the death of anyone who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, no matter how or when they died.
Free headstone, marker or medallion for a veteran's graveconfirmed October 2026
Veterans · Death and burial
VA provides a government headstone or marker (or a medallion for a private headstone) for an eligible veteran's grave in any cemetery, including private and unmarked graves. Apply with VA Form 40-1330.
Who it's for: Veterans not dishonorably discharged and service members who died on active duty (minimum service rules apply). Spouses/children only in national, state or tribal veterans cemeteries.
Bring: Copy of DD214 or other discharge papers (not originals); VA Form 40-1330
Vet Center Call Center (24/7 talk line, readjustment counseling)confirmed October 2026
Mental health and crisis · Veterans
Free, confidential 24/7 line staffed by combat veterans and family members. Talk about military experience or getting back to civilian life, and get connected to the nearest Vet Center for free counseling (including military sexual trauma).
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)confirmed October 2026
ID and documents · Veterans
Free photo ID card for veterans enrolled in VA health care. Request online (upload photo and ID) or ask the VA enrollment coordinator or at your next VA visit (Silver City VA clinic) to get the photo taken.
CHAMPVA health coverage for families of certain disabled or deceased veteransnot yet confirmed: call first
Medical care · Benefits · Veterans
Health coverage that shares the cost of care for the spouse or children of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from service, or who died from a service-connected condition. Not for people who can get TRICARE.
Who it's for: Spouse, surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, or who died from one; not eligible for TRICARE
Bring: VA Form 10-10d; veteran's VA rating or death papers; marriage or birth certificates; Medicare card if 65+
SSVF veteran rent, deposit and rehousing help (serves Grant County)confirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Veterans · Utilities and bills
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, rent and utility payments and case management for veterans. Grant, Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra counties are in its service area.
Who it's for: Veterans (Active, Reserve or National Guard service) or an un-remarried surviving spouse, living in New Mexico, who are homeless or at risk of losing housing. Discharge must not be dishonorable; some programs need other-than-dishonorable or specific service. Apply even without a DD214 or ID - they will help.
Bring: DD214 or discharge papers if you have them, ID, proof of income, lease or eviction notice
24/7 veteran peer support lineconfirmed October 2026
Mental health and crisis · Veterans
Confidential 24/7 peer support by phone, chat or email from fellow veterans and military family members. Separate from the VA; talking does not affect benefits or status.
Marine Corps League - Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1328
Marine veterans group: fellowship, referrals and helpnot yet confirmed: call first
Veterans
Local group of Marine Corps veterans. Fellowship and support for Marines, veterans and families. Local veterans groups told a state committee in Aug 2026 they run food drives, potlucks, rides to appointments and help with veterans' funerals.
America's Job Center New Mexico - Southwestern Area (SAWDB / SCCOG)
Veteran employment servicesconfirmed October 2026
Jobs and training · Veterans · 1 miles from Silver City
Veterans and eligible spouses get priority service, a veteran-only computer, early access to new job postings, resume help that translates military skills, and referrals to partner agencies.
Disabled American Veterans chapterconfirmed October 2026
Veterans · 1 miles from Silver City
Local chapter of Disabled American Veterans. DAV can help veterans file VA disability claims through national service officers and may assist with rides or small needs.
NM Department of Veterans Services - Veteran Service Officer
Veterans benefits helpconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · Veterans · 1 miles from Silver City
State veteran service officer helps veterans and families apply for VA disability, pension, health care, education and New Mexico state veteran benefits.
Where: WNMU campus, Juan Chacon Bldg., Room 138-A, 1000 W. College Ave., Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: Veterans and families
Bring: DD-214 (or NA 13038), VA award letter and VA letters, NM driver's license/ID or other NM residency proof; widows bring marriage and death certificates.
Office of Veterans Affairs (GI Bill and veteran student help)confirmed October 2026
School, GED and reading · Veterans · 1 miles from Silver City
Helps veterans, spouses and dependents use GI Bill and state education benefits at WNMU: certification, in-state tuition waivers, scholarships. A state Veteran Service Officer also meets veterans here by appointment for claims and DD-214 help.
Where: 1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: Anyone
Call first · Free
Head of Family and Veteran property tax exemptionsconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Veterans · Money and banking · 4 miles from Silver City
Lowers your home's taxable value. Head of Family: up to $2,000 off for NM resident homeowners (apply once). Veterans: get a Certificate of Eligibility from NM Veterans Services, bring the ORIGINAL here. Disabled veterans may be fully exempt.
Where: 1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: New Mexico resident who owns their home in Grant County (one Head of Family exemption per household, on primary residence). Veteran exemption: NM resident veterans or unmarried surviving spouses. Disabled veteran exemption: home occupied by the disabled veteran (up to 5 acres).
Bring: Photo ID, property account number; veterans bring original NMDVS Certificate of Eligibility (copies not accepted).
Veterans of Foreign Wars postnot yet confirmed: call first
Veterans · 6 miles from Silver City
VFW post near Silver City. VFW service officers help with VA claims and the VFW has an Unmet Needs grant program for eligible veterans in financial hardship.
Fort Bayard Medical Center (NM Dept of Health)2 services
Nursing home, rehab and memory care (Fort Bayard / State Veterans Home)confirmed October 2026
Medical care · Veterans · Seniors and disability · 8 miles from Silver City
State-run nursing facility with short-term rehab, long-term care, memory care, dialysis, hospice/palliative care, and therapies. Includes the licensed Fort Bayard State Veterans Home.
Who it's for: Adults who need nursing-home level care that the facility can safely meet; veterans for the Veterans Home. Accepts any payment source. Mental illness or intellectual disability needs are screened through PASARR.
Referral needed · Medicaid or insurance · Takes NM Medicaid
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Fort Bayard National Cemetery
Free burial for eligible veterans and familyconfirmed October 2026
Veterans · Death and burial · 9 miles from Silver City
VA national cemetery next to Santa Clara. Eligible veterans (and spouses/dependents) get a free gravesite, opening and closing, vault/liner, headstone or marker and a burial flag; space for casket and cremated remains.
Southwest New Mexico Veterans Transition Center / Veteran's Assistance Center of Luna County
Veterans food pantry and mobile pantrynot yet confirmed: call first
Food · Clothing, showers and laundry · Veterans · 53 miles from Silver City
Veterans center that gives food to veterans, families and widows, has helped with clothing and benefits advocacy, and hosts a weekly pop-up food distribution.
Some help people need still isn't available in Grant County, like inpatient detox, a local public defender office, and help applying for disability. See the list, and tell us if your organization can help fill one, or if you know of help we've missed.
📞 We need volunteers to keep this guide up to date
Phone numbers, hours and services change all the time. Volunteers call each place to make sure its listing is still right, so no one makes a trip for nothing. You can do it from home, on your own schedule. An hour a week makes a real difference.
For other organizations: this directory is free to use and share. Download the whole directory (spreadsheet, updated live).
Please credit the Silver City Gospel Mission, and remember that hours and services change: call ahead before sending someone.
Kept by the Silver City Gospel Mission · 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, NM 88061 · 575-388-5071 · Updated October 28, 2026.
Information comes from the providers themselves, public sources and our staff. It is offered as a help, not a guarantee; please call ahead.