Solid Start program has helped over 157,000 Veterans in just two years

VA celebrates the second anniversary of the VA Solid Start program is an innovative outreach campaign focused on connecting with recently separated Veterans regardless of their character of discharge during the critical first year after release from active duty.

Solid Start seeks to connect with eligible Veterans by phone at three key stages (0-90-, 91-180-, 181-365- days) after they leave the military. Representatives address issues or challenges identified by the Veteran during the calls and assist with accessing benefits and services, such as disability compensation, mental health care, education and employment support, to meet their specific needs. Critically, it’s focused on establishing a relationship with Veterans to increase the likelihood that they will connect with VA and utilize available benefits and services when needed.

An immediate success

VA is dedicated to supporting all transitioning service members and their families. Since its launch in December 2019, VA Solid Start representatives have successfully connected with more than 157,000 eligible Veterans. Of these, more than 24,000 were priority Veterans who had a mental health care appointment during the last year of active duty.

Additional transition programs offered by VA

VA Solid Start is not the only resource available to help service members transition from military to civilian life. VA also offers a wide variety of other benefits and services, such as:

• VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
• Women’s Health Transition Training
• Personalized Career Planning and Guidance
• Economic Development Initiatives
• Military Life Cycles Modules

These programs help Veterans build healthy civilian lifestyles while also informing them about the benefits and services they have earned. The first year after service can pose many challenges, but that weight is not something Veterans must carry alone. VA is here to help.

For more information

If you would like to learn more about Solid Start or VA’s other transition benefits, visit VA’s Transition and Economic Development website or VA.gov.

If you have separated from the military in the past 90 days and have not been contacted by VA Solid Start, you can call 1-800-827-0611 to reach a representative today. Operators are standing by Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. ET.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1; text to 838255; or chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.