Prevalence of Civil Legal Needs and Assistance Among Low-Income US Veterans: Results from the National Veterans Homeless and Poverty Experiences Survey

Low-income US veterans may experience civil legal needs that intersect with financial, housing, and health-related challenges, yet national data describing these patterns remain limited. This study provides national estimates of civil legal needs and receipt of assistance among veterans with household incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level. Data were drawn from the fifth wave (2025) of the National Veterans Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study, a nationally representative survey of low-income US veterans (N = 1384). Civil legal needs were assessed across seven domains, and receipt of professional assistance was measured among those reporting at least one need. Weighted descriptive statistics and hierarchal logistic regression models examined associations between sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics by reporting a legal need and receiving assistance. Approximately 18% of veterans reported at least one civil legal need, most commonly debt and wills and inheritance. Veterans with legal needs were younger, less likely to be white or married, more likely to have PTSD, and reported higher debt. Among those with a civil legal need, 57% received professional assistance, with notable variation across issue types. Regression analysis showed that factors associated with reporting a legal need differed from those associated with receiving assistance including higher education attainment and naval service. Civil legal needs were reported by a modest proportion of low-income veterans, with distinct characteristics associated with reporting a need and receiving assistance. These findings provide descriptive evidence to inform future research and policy efforts addressing civil legal needs among veterans.