Temporary Financial Assistance brochure - The American Legion ...

TFA brochure.indd 19/12/05 9:56:59 AMTHE AMERICAN LEGIONAMERICANISM AND CHILDREN & YOUTHELIGIBILITYEligibility for Temporary Financial Assistance islimited to minor children of veterans. The parentmust have served at least one day of active duty inthe Armed Forces of the United States during one thefollowing periods:• December 7, 1941 — December 31, 1946• June 25, 1950 — January 31, 1955• February 28, 1961 — May 7, 1975• August 24, 1982 — July 31, 1984• December 20, 1989 — January 31, 1990• August 2, 1990 — Cessation of hostilities asdetermined by the U.S. Government.MEMBERSHIP IN THE AMERICAN LEGIONIS NOT REQUIRED.Minor children include any unmarried child,stepchild, and adopted child 17 years or younger.Children 18 – 20 years old will be considered ifa current disability requires special schooling orindefinite in-home care, or they are enrolled in anapproved high school.No child is considered eligible for TFA until acomplete investigation is conducted, a legitimatefamily need is determined, and all other availableresources have been utilized or exhausted.TFA applications must originate and be investigated atthe local level. When all other possible resources havebeen exhausted, contact your local American LegionPost, Department Headquarters, and/or DepartmentChildren & Youth Chairman.The American Legion Endowment FundFunds for the operation of the TFA program areprovided from a share of the earnings of The AmericanLegion Endowment Fund.In 1925, World War I had been over for six years, butfor veterans and their widows and children, the yearshad been a continuing struggle to adjust to the war’saftermath. The members of The American Legion, awareof the grave responsibility entrusted to them by thosewho had served, knew the time had come to take action.More than 900,000 Legionnaires, American LegionAuxiliary members, and other American citizensjoined the campaign, raising nearly $5 million andestablishing The American Legion Endowment Fund.Since those early days, over $29 million has beendistributed to disabled veterans and children of those whoserved our great nation and made the ultimate sacrifice.To help us continue this proud tradition of servicewith a tax-deductible contribution, or to request moreinformation about The American Legion EndowmentFund, contact:The American Legion Endowment Fund Corporationc/o The American Legion National HeadquartersP.O. Box 1055Indianapolis, IN 46206www.legion.orgStock # 24-008 (Rev. 4/03) Artwork # 55ACY0403TEMPORARYFINANCIALASSISTANCEHelping childrensince 1925

TFA brochure.indd 29/12/05 9:57:02 AMTemporary Financial AssistanceThe American Legion National Commission on Children & YouthSince 1919, The American Legion has remainedcommitted to the health and welfare of our nation’sveterans and families. Born out of this desire to serve, theNational Commission on Children& Youth established a form ofdirect aid to veterans’ childrenin 1925—Temporary FinancialAssistance (TFA). This landmarkprogram continues to be unique inthe field of social work today.Through TFA, a Post can call uponthe National Organization for cashassistance to help maintain thebasic needs of veterans’ children.Non-repayable grants are awardedto eligible families over a temporaryperiod when it is determined thata child is in need and all otheravailable resources have been exhausted.How TFA Helps ChildrenTFA is specifically designed to assist minorchildren of eligible veterans through cash grants. Inorder to maintain a stable home environment forthe child or children, grants are awarded to helpfamilies meet the costs of shelter, utilities, food,and medical expenses.Maintenance GrantsMaintenance grants may be used to assist with thebasic need expenses such as:• Shelter • Utilities• Food • ClothingMaintenance grants can not be awarded forpreviously incurred debt, except to:1. Prevent disconnection of utilities2. Prevent eviction or foreclosure.Medical GrantsMedical grants for a child may be used to assistwith healthcare expenses such as:• Medical Care • Dental Care• Surgery • Hospitalization• Medications • Dietary NeedsMedical grants require a written statement froma physican outlining the problem, treatment,and esitmated costs. This type of grant must beapproved before services are rendered. Medicalgrants can not be awarded for previous medicalexpenses or care.Application ProcessAll TFA applications originate at the local or Postlevel. A local investigator personally visits with thefamily to determine the needs of the children. Acompleted application, with supporting documentsand proof of military service, is forwarded tothe Department Children & Youth Chairmanor Department Adjutant. The designatedDepartment representative reviews each case, makesa recommendation, and forwards the approvedapplication to the National Headquarters.The Americanism and Children & Youth Divisionreviews all approved cases, and forwards arecommendation to the National Adjutant. Uponapproval by the National Adjutant, a check isdrawn and forwarded to the Department Adjutantfor delivery to the Post or family. In most cases,checks will be two-party checks payable to theveteran and creditor.Temporary Financial Assistance is a program of:The American LegionNational Commission on Children & YouthP.O. Box 1055Indianapolis, IN 46206(317) 623-1323