Homelessness. The word itself conjures up all sorts of desperate images. Many who have not experienced homelessness are often one paycheck away (layoff or an economic recession) from such a fate. Some of these veterans whom I have encountered in the past, did not expect to be homeless, but due to marital issues, mental health challenges, the high cost of living, or addiction ended up in shelters or on the streets. Help, for those who want it, requires diligence and patience to navigate the bureaucracy. Finding an advocate to help is not easy, and often there are many seeking assistance who require a time-consuming process to provide needed services. For a volunteer not employed in the social services public sector, it means lots of research. Judging by the number of veteran outreach programs started by veterans, we take care of our own.

One such case I have been seeking to help has been “identity-less” for a very long time. In his words, he lost all his identification, military separation papers (DD-214), social security card, state identification, and personal papers, leaving him unable to easily re-engage into society. Twenty years later he reached out to me, finding my business card where he gets mail. In a close circle of friends, and the kindness of a homeless shelter, he was encouraged to take steps to recover. As a veteran, he was originally input in the VA medical system, and yet, without a government-issued document, he cannot prove that the record is his. To verify his identity, a military or VA identity card, social security card, utility bills, or a certified birth certificate are steps to obtaining a state identification card. He will need to have financial means to meet required payment of fees through check or money orders. Even though initially contacted to obtain a personal criminal background check – as a means to confirm his identity, the Department of Justice requires a government-furnish identity card (at minimum an social security card) to submit fingerprints.

As he was once married, even though his spouse has since deceased, he may request a certified copy of a marriage license from the state where it was performed, as a document to confirm identity. However, as he claims he is a native of California, regaining his identity can begin with an application, notarized, to request a certified birth certificate from the Department of Public Health. From there, he can apply at a Veterans Administration office or through a veteran service organization, to request his DD-214. With these government documents, he can request a replacement Social Security card through the local government office, and a state identity card.

Steps to identity recovery in California:

• VS-113A Obtaining a certified marriage license, for a marriage performed in California (other states have their own processes) as a form of identification
• VS-111. Obtaining a certified birth certificate . Submit notarized statement from a recognized family member See application, pg 5. Also, an authorized member of a government agency can request the registrant’s birth certificate.
• If the requestor knows his or her Social Security Number, he may use the government website to request a replacement Social Security card online. Certified copies of other identity documents can be uploaded to the request. These have to bear an official stamp and not be photocopies nor a notarized one. If the SSN is unknown, a visit to a local Social Security office is necessary.
• For a DD-214, the official Release from Active Duty, visiting a Veterans Administration office may be necessary, unless the former service member has taken the steps to enroll in milConnect. An advocate, or next of kin, may, with the veteran’s permission in writing, request the veteran’s military record or DD-214. Here are the instructions. Noted in the instructions, “Certain basic information needed to locate military service records, includes: the veteran’s complete name as used in service; service number; Social Security Number (if applicable); branch of service; dates of service; date and place of birth. For records affected by the 1973 Fire, additional information, such as place of discharge; last assigned unit; and place of entry into service may be useful.”