Free help for Kootenai County veterans: who to call, all in one place

If you served, there is free help in Kootenai County for claims, health care, rides, housing, jobs, legal trouble, emergency bills, and just finding other veterans to talk to. A lot of veterans never use it because they don't know it's there, or they figure someone else needs it more. Here it is, in one place. Screenshot it and send it to the veteran in your life.

Where a phone number came from an older listing, we say so. Call ahead; offices move and staff change.

START HERE: A SERVICE OFFICER (FREE)

If you only make one call, call a service officer. They file VA disability and pension claims, reopened claims, survivor (DIC) and burial benefits, help with military retirement issues, medals and correcting military records, and point you to everything else. It's free. Nobody should charge you to file a VA claim.

- Kootenai County Veterans Services. 120 E. Railroad Ave., Post Falls. 208-446-1090. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch). Ask for: Tom Freeman, director and accredited service officer; Jessica Christensen, service officer (208-446-1098); or Terri Maceyka, assistant (208-446-1094). kcgov.us/533/Veterans-Services
- Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Office of Veterans Advocacy. 1182 S. Clearwater Loop, Post Falls. 208-415-3480. State service officers, nationally accredited, no Idaho residency requirement. Ask for Matt Ranstrom (matt.ranstrom@veterans.idaho.gov) or Scott Thorsness (scott.thorsness@veterans.idaho.gov). veterans.idaho.gov
- Coeur d'Alene Tribal Veterans Program. 30030 First St., Worley.

HEALTH CARE

- Coeur d'Alene VA Clinic. 915 W. Emma Ave., Coeur d'Alene. Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; lab 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Primary care, diabetes care, mental health with peer support, PTSD and addiction care, psychiatry, military sexual trauma care, optometry, physical and occupational therapy, and social work. Main phone: 208-665-1700. va.gov/spokane-health-care
- Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (the main hospital). 4815 N. Assembly St., Spokane. 509-434-7000.
- Spokane Vet Center. 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Confidential readjustment counseling for veterans and families, away from the hospital. 509-444-8387 (2023 listing).
- In crisis right now: call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, any hour. North Idaho Crisis Center: 2301 N. Ironwood Place, Coeur d'Alene, 208-625-4884.

GETTING TO THE SPOKANE VA

- DAV Fort Sherman Chapter 9, Coeur d'Alene, the oldest Disabled American Veterans chapter in Idaho, donates vans so Kootenai County veterans get free rides to the Spokane VA, driven by volunteers. The chapter has also helped disabled veterans with home repairs, tools for job seekers and VA claims. It meets monthly at American Legion Post 143. Call Bob Hunt, 208-773-1074 (2023 listing).
- DAV van rides to the Spokane VA: book at least 72 hours ahead with the DAV Transportation Office, 800-325-7940, or the VA's DAV van line, 509-434-7019.

HOUSING, EMERGENCIES AND MONEY

- St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Help Center. 201 E. Harrison Ave., Coeur d'Alene. 208-664-3095. Ask for the veterans coordinator or the veterans and shelter case manager.
- Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest. 130 E. Third Ave., Spokane. 509-828-2449. Serves Kootenai County. Housing help for veterans who are homeless or about to be.
- Idaho Veterans Emergency Relief Grant. Up to $1,500 over a lifetime, no more than one grant every six months, for an emergency in the last 90 days. For honorably discharged Idaho residents. Apply through a service officer.
- Joining Forces Idaho grant. Help with a bill, paid straight to the provider. Ask a service officer.
- North Idaho Veterans Stand Down. Every May (about 800 came this year): free medical, dental, legal and benefits help, haircuts, vet care for pets, bike repair and food. Run with St. Vincent de Paul. 208-964-2819 (2023 listing).

FREE HOUSEHOLD GOODS

- Newby-ginnings of North Idaho. 570 S. Clearwater Loop, Unit A, Post Falls. 208-610-6996. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free household goods for veterans, active military and Gold Star families; bring proof of service. Founded by Gold Star mom Theresa Hart. newbyginnings.org

JOBS AND SCHOOL

- Idaho Department of Labor, Post Falls office. 208-457-8789; ask for a veteran representative (a 2023 listing gives ext. 3842). Walk-ins welcome.
- North Idaho College Veterans Resource Center. Edminster Student Union Building, Room 013, 495 N. College Dr., Coeur d'Alene. 208-929-4028, VetCenter@nic.edu. Help using VA education benefits, advising, referrals and priority registration.
- VETworking. Third Friday of the month at Best Life Coffee, Coeur d'Alene.

LEGAL HELP

- Idaho Legal Aid Services, Coeur d'Alene office. 610 W. Hubbard Ave., Suite 219. Intake 208-746-7541. Free civil legal help if you qualify by income. Serves Kootenai County; the office may be helping by phone rather than in person.

LONG-TERM CARE AND END OF LIFE

- Idaho State Veterans Home, Post Falls. 590 S. Pleasant View Road. 208-415-3430; admissions 208-415-3434. Round-the-clock skilled nursing for veterans and their spouses, widows and widowers. Not free; ask admissions about costs. Administrator: Amber Goodchild. Volunteers: Kady Aamot.

HOSPICE (NOT FREE, BUT USUALLY COVERED)

Hospice is paid by Medicare, and the VA covers hospice for veterans enrolled in VA health care. Ask your VA social worker, or the hospice, before you pick.

- Hospice of North Idaho. 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d'Alene. 208-772-7994. Nonprofit since 1981, with the Schneidmiller House inpatient unit. We Honor Veterans partner with a Veteran Recognition Program. Takes Medicare, Medicaid, VA and private insurance.
- Auburn Crest Hospice. 8382 N. Wayne Dr., Hayden. 208-665-8111. We Honor Veterans partner; covered by VA benefits, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.
- Crest Hospice and Crest Home Health. 700 W. Ironwood Dr., Coeur d'Alene. 208-765-4343. Part of Rocky Mountain Care; soon to be Rocky Mountain Home Care.
- Gentiva Hospice. 1321 N. Northwood Center Ct., Suite A, Coeur d'Alene. 208-765-3452. Has veteran-support volunteers.
- Advanced Home Care and Hospice of Coeur d'Alene. 1578 W. Riverstone Dr. 208-769-0500. Hospice plus Medicare home health.
- Alpine Hospice and Palliative Care. Coeur d'Alene. 208-739-5093.

HOME HEALTH AND IN-HOME CARE

Home health (nurses and therapists) is covered by Medicare when a doctor orders it. In-home care (help with bathing, meals, errands) is usually paid privately; agencies that take VA benefits bill the VA. Ask your VA social worker about the VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide program.

Medicare home health:
- CenterWell Home Health. 101 W. Ironwood Dr., #252, Coeur d'Alene. 208-667-5470.
- North Idaho Home Health (LHC Group). 850 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d'Alene. 208-667-7494. Its in-home help line takes VA benefits.
- Reliant Healthcare. 1103 E. Best Ave., Suite E, Coeur d'Alene. 208-665-3514.
- August Home Health. 2005 Ironwood Pkwy, Suite 227, Coeur d'Alene. 208-664-0858.
- Eden Home Health of Coeur d'Alene. 296 W. Sunset Ave. 208-255-1640.
- Ability Home Health. Coeur d'Alene. 208-930-1819.
- Crest Home Health and Advanced Home Care, listed above.

In-home care that takes VA benefits:
- Comfort Keepers. 820 E. Best Ave., Coeur d'Alene. 208-765-9511. Has a veterans home care program.
- Aging Better In-Home Care. 1125 E. Polston Ave., Suite A, Post Falls. 208-777-0308.
- FirstLight Home Care. 1900 Northwest Blvd., Suite 110, Coeur d'Alene. 208-758-8090.
- Home Helpers Inland Northwest. 109 W. Kathleen Ave., Suite 4, Coeur d'Alene. 208-505-9280.
- Home Instead. 302 E. Linden Ave., Suite 103, Coeur d'Alene. 208-874-0548. Private pay; helps with VA assistance.
- Serengeti Care. 3591 E. Third Ave., Suite 108, Post Falls. 208-948-2044.
- Senior Helpers, North Idaho. 509-922-4333.

Other in-home care:
- Free Air Life, veteran-owned. 2115 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene. 855-286-0241.
- Addus HomeCare. 850 W. Ironwood Dr., Suite 101, Coeur d'Alene. 208-667-2309.
- All Ways Caring (formerly ResCare HomeCare). 1900 Northwest Blvd., Suite 210, Coeur d'Alene. 208-490-8255.
- Care to Stay Home. 618 N. Fourth St., Suite F, Coeur d'Alene. 208-758-0357.
- Touching Hearts at Home. 208-601-8300.
- Nurse Next Door Coeur d'Alene. 208-600-0760.

Free help to stay at home:
- Elder Help of North Idaho. 9420 N. Government Way, Hayden. 208-661-8870. Installs ramps and grab bars and makes home repairs.
- Silver Angels for the Elderly. 208-906-0040. Free visits for seniors with no family or visitors.
- Disability Action Center. 3726 E. Mullan Ave., Post Falls. 208-457-3891. Helps you choose a home health provider.

OTHER VETERANS

- VFW Post 889. 406 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. 208-667-5236. Weekly coffee and doughnuts. Here since 1922.
- VFW Post 3603, Post Falls. 1225 E. Third Ave. 208-960-4104.
- American Legion Post 143. 1138 E. Poleline Ave., Post Falls. Coffee and camaraderie. Posts 14 and 154 also serve the county.
- The Veterans Club. A weekly Patriot Pour coffee and a monthly Patriot Dinner at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave.
- Dogsmile Adventures. Free therapeutic sailing, focused on veterans. hello@dogsmileadventures.org
- Idaho Veterans Assistance League, North Idaho chapter, supports residents of the Veterans Home. PO Box 187, Post Falls.

SEE IT ON A MAP

Every local office above is pinned on our map, with tap-to-call and directions: kcounty.media/veterans/resources

NATIONAL RESOURCES

Free, by phone or online, wherever you live.

- Veterans Crisis Line. Call 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Any hour.
- VA benefits hotline. 800-827-1000. Claims, payments and benefit questions. va.gov
- VA health care hotline. 877-222-8387. Enrolling in and using VA health care.
- MyVA411. 800-698-2411. The VA's main information line, open 24/7.
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans. 877-424-3838. Free, confidential, 24/7, for veterans who are homeless or at risk, and their families.
- VA Caregiver Support Line. 855-260-3274. Social workers for family caregivers of veterans.
- Vet Center Call Center. 877-927-8387. Open 24/7; talk with another combat veteran and find counseling.
- Military OneSource. 800-342-9647. Free counseling and help for service members and families; veterans qualify for 365 days after leaving service.
- Wounded Warrior Project Resource Center. 888-997-2586. Free programs for post-9/11 wounded, ill or injured veterans and their families.
- TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). 800-959-8277. 24/7 support for anyone grieving a military or veteran death.
- Give an Hour. Free counseling from volunteer licensed mental health professionals. giveanhour.org
- Hire Heroes USA. 844-634-1520. Free one-on-one career coaching for veterans and military spouses. hireheroesusa.org

NOT SURE WHO TO CALL?

Dial 2-1-1 for referrals, or start with the county veterans office above.

Know a free resource we missed, or a number that's changed? Tell K County Media and we'll update this list.