- Type of help
- Claims assistance
- Location
- Marina
DAV claims assistance. Gourley VA clinic. Contact DAV to confirm the appointment.
201 9th Street, Marina, CA 93933Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Local help and county facts
Monterey County, CA Veterans Service Office (VSO): phone and address
Monterey and San Benito counties share a military and veterans affairs program. Monterey County service locations include Marina and Salinas.
If you live in Monterey County, free claims help from an accredited VSO representative is available through the DAV Marina service office and Monterey County Veterans Services in Marina and Salinas; confirm availability before traveling. Call 831-647-7613 to ask which county office will host your appointment. The program offers telephone and virtual options and is closed to the public on Fridays. CalVet statewide information and referrals can direct you to a current local or regional claims contact, but it is a referral service, not claims representation. Monterey County’s largest veteran group is Vietnam era only, about 4,020, give or take 338; Agent Orange exposure questions depend on where and when you served. The Major General William H. Gourley VA-DoD Outpatient Clinic is 40 miles away, measured in a straight line from the county center.
Offices for Monterey County
Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs main office
County veterans services
- Type of help
- Claims assistance
- Location
- Marina
County veterans benefits and claims assistance. Joint Monterey–San Benito program. Confirm appointment location; telephone and virtual appointments are offered.
2620 First Avenue, Marina, CA 93933Provider contact hours Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; closed to the public Friday.
Monterey County Veterans Services in Marina
County veterans services
- Type of help
- Claims assistance
- Location
- Marina
County veterans benefits and claims assistance. County services at the Major General William H. Gourley VA clinic; this is a benefits contact, not medical scheduling.
201 9th Street, Marina, CA 93933Contact the county office to arrange a visit at this site.
Monterey County Veterans Services in Salinas
County veterans services
- Type of help
- Claims assistance
- Location
- Salinas
County veterans benefits and claims assistance. Joint Monterey–San Benito program with in-person, telephone and virtual options.
730 La Guardia Street, Suite 119, Salinas, CA 93905Contact the county office to confirm this site's hours and appointments.
For statewide phone and remote help, see the California directory.
Getting help in Monterey County
Call 831-647-7613 to confirm which location will host your appointment. The program offers telephone and virtual options, and is closed to the public on Fridays. DAV has a separate contact at the Gourley VA clinic.
Official service and access information (opens in a new tab)
Office closed right now?
Call the Claim Raven 24-hour VSO prep line to get your records ready before your appointment. Claim Raven is not a VSO office. Your VSO's number is listed above.
Call (833) 387-1649Veterans in Monterey County
The ACS estimates about 13,400, give or take 864 civilian veterans in Monterey County.
By ACS estimates, Monterey County has the 22nd largest veteran population among California's 58 counties and equivalents.
| Measure | Monterey County | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share with a service-connected rating | 29 percent the same rounded estimate as the California share; below the national share. | 29 percent | 30 percent |
| Share rated 70 percent or higher | 12 percent the same rounded estimate as the California share; below the national share. | 12 percent | 13 percent |
Veterans 75 and older in Monterey County number about 4,360, give or take 360; their 33 percent share is above California's 30 percent.
Veterans under 35 in Monterey County number about 1,470, give or take 344; their 11 percent share is above California's 10 percent.
Women veterans in Monterey County number about 1,330, give or take 240; their 10 percent share is above California's 9 percent.
Income, work and education in Monterey County
| Measure | Monterey County | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income | $61,293 ± $4,010 | $59,258 ± $574 | $54,224 ± $147 |
| Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income | $38,409 ± $979 | $43,129 ± $137 | $41,154 ± $99 |
| Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over | 5.9% ± 1.4 points | 8.0% ± 0.2 points | 7.4% ± 0.1 points |
| Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over | 30.6% ± 2.5 points | 30.5% ± 0.3 points | 30.7% ± 0.1 points |
| Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 64 | 64.5% ± 5.0 points | 72.5% ± 0.5 points | 73.9% ± 0.2 points |
| Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 64 | 5.1% ± 3.0 points; small survey sample; treat as rough | Not compared | Not compared |
| Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over | 92.7% ± 1.9 points | 95.2% ± 0.1 points | 95.5% ± 0.1 points |
| Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over | 42.4% ± 2.9 points | 35.4% ± 0.4 points | 31.8% ± 0.2 points |
Income is in 2024 dollars. These figures describe civilians. Poverty and disability shares use veterans whose poverty status is determined. Census disability measures daily functioning, not a VA service-connected rating. Tables and method.
VA projects fewer veterans here in 2035: about 12,000 on September 30, 2035, compared with 16,000 on September 30, 2026. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.
VA disability compensation in Monterey County
VA reports 5,683 veterans in Monterey County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.
| Rating group | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 0 to 20 percent | 1,125 |
| 30 to 40 percent | 645 |
| 50 to 60 percent | 678 |
| 70 to 90 percent | 1,729 |
| 100 percent | 1,506 |
FY2019: 6,168 recipients. Change to FY2025: -485.
VA does not publish some small counts. Those show as “Not published.” VA county compensation data (opens in a new tab).
VA home loans in Monterey County
In 2025, lenders reported 183 VA-backed home loans out of 4,439 home loans made in Monterey County (4.1% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
Average VA loan amount reported: about $766,000.
The 2026 FHFA one-unit county loan limit here is $994,750. This limit matters for a VA loan only when part of your entitlement is still tied to another VA loan. VA explains remaining entitlement and loan limits (opens in a new tab).
When they served
The largest reported service groups are Vietnam era only (about 4,020, give or take 338) and post-9/11 only (about 2,380, give or take 386).
For questions about Vietnam-era exposure rules, read the Agent Orange guide; eligibility depends on your service and condition.
VA money in Monterey County
VA reported about $147.5 million in compensation and pension spending and about $160.3 million in medical care spending in Monterey County for FY2025.
Nearest VA locations
VA medical center
Palo Alto VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab)
3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1207
New-patient wait for primary care: 32 days (VA, as of October 1, 2026).
New-patient wait for mental health: 73 days (VA, as of October 1, 2026).
about 92 miles in a straight line from the county center.
VA clinic
Major General William H. Gourley VA-DoD Outpatient Clinic (opens in a new tab)
201 9th Street, Marina, CA 93933-6039
New-patient wait for mental health: 24 days (VA, as of October 1, 2026).
New-patient wait for primary care: 22 days (VA, as of October 1, 2026).
about 40 miles in a straight line from the county center.
Vet Center
Santa Cruz County Vet Center (opens in a new tab)
1350 41st Avenue, Suite 104, Capitola, CA 95010
about 62 miles in a straight line from the county center.
VA regional benefit office
Oakland VA Regional Benefit Office (opens in a new tab)
1301 Clay Street, North Tower, 12th floor Room 1200, Oakland, CA 94612
about 120 miles in a straight line from the county center.
Call to confirm hours before you go.
The second-nearest medical center to Monterey County is Fresno VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab) in Fresno, CA, about 93 miles in a straight line from the county center.
The second-nearest Vet Center to Monterey County is Santa Cruz County Mobile Vet Center (opens in a new tab) in Capitola, CA, about 62 miles in a straight line from the county center.
The state registry lists Oakland RO (station 343) and Los Angeles RO (station 344) and San Diego RO (station 377); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.
Veterans cemeteries and State Veterans Homes
Nearest open VA national cemetery
San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
32053 W McCabe Road Santa Nella, CA 95322
209-854-1040
About 62.4 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.
Nearest VA-funded state or tribal veterans cemetery
California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
2900 Parker Flats Rd Seaside, CA 93955
831-393-9371
About 38.3 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.
State veterans cemeteries set their own eligibility rules.
National Cemetery Administration lists checked October 2, 2026. Cemetery coverage and distance method.
Cleanup and former military sites in Monterey County
EPA Superfund National Priorities List
- Crazy Horse Sanitary Landfill (opens in a new tab)
Status: final. Federal facility: no. - Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. (Salinas Plant) (opens in a new tab)
Status: deleted. Federal facility: no. - Fort Ord (opens in a new tab)
Status: final. Federal facility: yes.
Formerly Used Defense Sites
- Alder Peak (opens in a new tab)
- Camp Roberts (opens in a new tab)
- Castroville Amphibious Training Area (opens in a new tab)
- FORT HUNTER LIGGETT BOMBING RANGE 2 (opens in a new tab)
- FORT HUNTER LIGGETT BOMBING ZONE 3 (opens in a new tab)
More former defense sites (19)
- FORT HUNTER LIGGETT MANEUVER AND BIVOUAC AREA (opens in a new tab)
- FORT HUNTER LIGGETT MANEUVER AREA (opens in a new tab)
- FORT HUNTER LIGGETT PRACTICE BOMBING RANGE NO. 2 (opens in a new tab)
- FORT HUNTER LIGGETT SCATTERED TRANSFERRED PROPERTY (opens in a new tab)
- FORT HUNTER LIGGETT TRAINING RANGE (opens in a new tab)
- Fort Hunter Liggett (opens in a new tab)
- Fort Ord Amphibious Training Area (opens in a new tab)
- Fort on Cape of the Pines (opens in a new tab)
- Granite Canyon Marine Laboratory (opens in a new tab)
- Guidotti Field (opens in a new tab)
- Lockwood Gap Filler Annex (opens in a new tab)
- Naval Auxiliary Air Station King City (opens in a new tab)
- Naval Auxiliary Air Station Monterey (opens in a new tab)
- Naval Auxiliary Airfield Watsonville (opens in a new tab)
- PLEYTE, CAMP NAVAL REPAIR BASE (opens in a new tab)
- Salinas Army Airfield (opens in a new tab)
- Salinas Garrison (opens in a new tab)
- Soledad Prisoner of War Camp (opens in a new tab)
- Spence Field (opens in a new tab)
Military branch is not listed in the USACE FY2024 property data.
These lists use site points within county boundaries. A site may extend into another county.
For VA’s service-location rules, see the presumptive conditions list. A location listing does not establish personal exposure or eligibility.
Veterans experiencing homelessness
On one night in January 2024, Salinas/Monterey, San Benito Counties CoC counted 167 veterans experiencing homelessness (66 sheltered, 101 unsheltered).
CA-506 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid).
The HUD workbook reports 187 veterans for the 2019 comparison.
This is a one-night count for the whole CoC area, not a county or annual total. CoC mapping method.
If you need housing help, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. You can call any time, day or night.
Your nearest VA medical center by straight-line distance is Palo Alto VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab), 650-493-5000. Ask for the homeless coordinator.
Housing prevention and rehousing help serving Monterey County
- Nation's Finest: (928) 350-8335; (928) 227-3590
VA's FY2026 Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) intake list names these providers. About VA SSVF (opens in a new tab).
Veterans treatment courts in Monterey County
The National Treatment Court Resource Center lists 1 veterans treatment court in Monterey County as of December 31, 2025.
These courts connect participating veterans involved in the justice system with treatment and support. Each court sets its own eligibility rules. National Treatment Court Resource Center maps (opens in a new tab).
Cities and towns in Monterey County
- Salinas (city): about 161,761 residents
- Seaside (city): about 31,814 residents
- Monterey (city): about 29,613 residents
- Soledad (city): about 26,365 residents
- Marina (city): about 22,563 residents
More places (24)
- Greenfield (city): about 20,232 residents
- Prunedale (unincorporated community): about 19,723 residents
- Pacific Grove (city): about 14,951 residents
- King City (city): about 13,604 residents
- Gonzales (city): about 8,492 residents
- Castroville (unincorporated community): about 6,720 residents
- Carmel Valley Village (unincorporated community): about 4,785 residents
- Del Monte Forest (unincorporated community): about 3,613 residents
- Las Lomas (unincorporated community): about 3,355 residents
- Carmel-by-the-Sea (city): about 3,162 residents
- Pajaro (unincorporated community): about 2,899 residents
- Pine Canyon (unincorporated community): about 2,477 residents
- Elkhorn (unincorporated community): about 1,664 residents
- Del Rey Oaks (city): about 1,570 residents
- Boronda (unincorporated community): about 1,351 residents
- Fort Hunter Liggett (unincorporated community): about 1,119 residents
- Chualar (unincorporated community): about 812 residents
- San Ardo (unincorporated community): about 462 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
- Sand City (city): about 404 residents
- Lockwood (unincorporated community): about 240 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
- Spreckels (unincorporated community): about 174 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
- San Lucas (unincorporated community): about 134 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
- Bradley (unincorporated community): about 112 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
- Moss Landing (unincorporated community): about 45 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
Census incorporated places and census-designated places, sorted by ACS 2020-2024 population. Figures are ACS estimates for the whole place, not only the part inside this county. Places are assigned by their 2024 Census internal point and may cross county boundaries. Sources and mapping method.
Free tools and help
- VA disability calculator
- Back pay calculator
- California veteran benefits
- Claims guide
- Presumptive conditions
- Condition guides
For the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 then press 1. VA crisis support (opens in a new tab)
California benefits
Qualifying California veterans rated or compensated at 100 percent receive an annually adjusted basic residence exemption.
California Plan A waives public college system tuition and fees for eligible children of qualifying totally service-connected disabled veterans.
Get ready for your appointment
- Your DD-214 or other discharge papers
- Any VA decision letters you have received
- Medical records you want to discuss
Starting a new claim? Ask about an intent to file
Ask the office about VA Form 21-0966 to preserve a potential benefits start date while gathering evidence. Check your intent to file deadline.
Search or filter California listings
Nearby counties
Sources and method
ACS 2020-2024; VA FY2025; geography/locations/benefits 2026; adjacency 2024. Distances: straight line from county center. The summary paragraph was drafted by AI from the facts on this page and checked automatically against them. Full method.
VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents near Monterey County
Distances are straight-line estimates between county internal points. Representatives may serve clients outside their local area.
Ryan Mackintosh
Attorney · Marina · CA · In your county
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Attorney · Monterey · CA · In your county
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