San Mateo County, CA Veterans Service Office (VSO): phone and address
Find San Mateo County veterans services in San Carlos. Compare the published contact details and schedules below before choosing a location.
In San Mateo County, you can get free claims help from an accredited VSO representative at San Mateo County Veterans Services in San Carlos; call first, since claims service is by appointment and in-person appointments are generally Tuesday-Thursday. Office doors are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. CalVet can provide information and referrals, but it is not the local claims service; ask for the current local or regional claims contact and confirm appointment options. The county has the 18th largest veteran population among California's 58 counties and equivalents. Veterans 75 and older make up 43 percent, above California's 30 percent. The largest service era is Vietnam era only, with about 6,190 veterans, give or take 647; Agent Orange exposure questions depend on where and when you served. Distances are straight-line from the county center: the Peninsula Vet Center in Redwood City is 12 miles away.
County veterans benefits and claims assistance. Claims service is by appointment. Driver-license veteran designation has limited walk-in service. The county page and association disagree on the ZIP, so confirm mailing details.
550 Quarry Road, San Carlos, CA
Office doors Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.; in-person appointments generally Tuesday-Thursday. Call first.
Office doors Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.; in-person appointments generally Tuesday-Thursday. Call first. Claims service is by appointment. Driver-license veteran designation has limited walk-in service. The county page and association disagree on the ZIP, so confirm mailing details.
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.
The ACS estimates about 17,400, give or take 978 civilian veterans in San Mateo County.
By ACS estimates, San Mateo County has the 18th largest veteran population among California's 58 counties and equivalents.
Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
Measure
San Mateo County
California
United States
Share with a service-connected rating
16 percent
below the California share; below the national share.
29 percent
30 percent
Share rated 70 percent or higher
6 percent
below the California share; below the national share.
12 percent
13 percent
Veterans 75 and older in San Mateo County number about 7,510, give or take 503; their 43 percent share is above California's 30 percent.
San Mateo County has about 1,050, give or take 230 veterans under 35, making up 6 percent of its veterans compared with 10 percent in California.
San Mateo County has about 1,230, give or take 277 women veterans, making up 7 percent of its veterans compared with 9 percent in California.
Income, work and education in San Mateo County
Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
Measure
San Mateo County
California
United States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income
$63,843 ± $6,786
$59,258 ± $574
$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income
$65,985 ± $1,070
$43,129 ± $137
$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over
6.9% ± 1.6 points
8.0% ± 0.2 points
7.4% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over
27.8% ± 2.2 points
30.5% ± 0.3 points
30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 64
80.4% ± 4.4 points
72.5% ± 0.5 points
73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 64
1.4% ± 0.9 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over
96.0% ± 1.1 points
95.2% ± 0.1 points
95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over
41.1% ± 2.4 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 18,000 on September 30, 2026. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.
VA disability compensation in San Mateo County
VA reports 4,240 veterans in San Mateo County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.
In 2025, lenders reported 62 VA-backed home loans out of 9,720 home loans made in San Mateo County (0.6% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
Average VA loan amount reported: about $1,241,000.
The largest reported service groups are Vietnam era only (about 6,190, give or take 647) and between the Vietnam and Gulf War eras (about 2,360, give or take 383).
For questions about Vietnam-era exposure rules, read the Agent Orange guide; eligibility depends on your service and condition.
VA money in San Mateo County
VA reported about $112.1 million in compensation and pension spending and about $303.0 million in medical care spending in San Mateo County for FY2025.
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.
South San Francisco (city): about 64,305 residents
San Bruno (city): about 42,307 residents
More places (28)
Pacifica (city): about 37,261 residents
Foster City (city): about 32,792 residents
Menlo Park (city): about 32,727 residents
Burlingame (city): about 30,525 residents
San Carlos (city): about 29,614 residents
East Palo Alto (city): about 29,069 residents
Belmont (city): about 27,337 residents
Millbrae (city): about 22,689 residents
North Fair Oaks (unincorporated community): about 13,100 residents
Half Moon Bay (city): about 11,391 residents
Hillsborough (town): about 11,099 residents
Atherton (town): about 6,993 residents
El Granada (unincorporated community): about 5,232 residents
Woodside (town): about 5,126 residents
Brisbane (city): about 4,692 residents
Broadmoor (unincorporated community): about 4,586 residents
Portola Valley (town): about 4,305 residents
Emerald Lake Hills (unincorporated community): about 4,235 residents
West Menlo Park (unincorporated community): about 3,634 residents
Montara (unincorporated community): about 2,917 residents
Moss Beach (unincorporated community): about 2,683 residents
Highlands (unincorporated community): about 2,450 residents
Colma (town): about 1,636 residents
Baywood Park (unincorporated community): about 1,580 residents
Ladera (unincorporated community): about 1,297 residents
La Honda (unincorporated community): about 1,269 residents
Pescadero (unincorporated community): about 691 residents
Loma Mar (unincorporated community): about 309 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.
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 San Mateo County
Distances are straight-line estimates between county internal points. Representatives may serve clients outside their local area.
Claim Raven is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We do not recommend or endorse any attorney or claims agent. Listings come from VA's public accreditation records. Paid placements are advertising. Check an attorney's accreditation on VA's accreditation search (opens in a new tab) before you hire them.
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