Indiana Legionnaires receive recognition from their National Headquarters for assisting families of Hoosier Veterans
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Indiana Department of the American Legion was recognized by the National Headquarters of The American Legion for its 2nd place finish across 55 different Department Headquarters for their efforts in the last year to help Veterans and their families. Only one other Department within the country received more funding last year and that was Oklahoma due to the tornados that struck Moore, OK last spring. The Indiana Legionnaires provided assistance with a total of $96,322.10 in grants to families of veterans who have children in the household.
This aid to young children of veterans was administered through a program The American Legion calls Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA). Since its establishment in 1925, this program has awarded cash grants to minor children of veterans who are eligible for American Legion membership. These grants help families in need meet the cost of shelter, food, utilities and health expenses, thereby keeping the child or children in a more stable environment.
Who is eligible for a grant?
TFA is limited to minor children (17 years or younger) whose biological parent, or legal guardian, is a veteran and is, or would have been, eligible for American Legion membership. However, Legion membership is not required. Children 18-20 years old will also be considered if a current disability requires special schooling or indefinite in-home care, or they are enrolled in an approved high school and unmarried. To be eligible for Legion membership, the parent or guardian must have served at least one day of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States during one of the following periods:
- Dec. 7, 1941 - Dec. 31, 1946
- June 25, 1950 - Jan. 31, 1955
- Feb. 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975
- August 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984
- Dec. 20, 1989 - Jan. 31, 1990
- Aug. 2, 1990 - Cessation of hostilities as determined by the U.S. Government.
No child is considered eligible for Temporary Financial Assistance until a complete investigation is conducted at the post or department level; a legitimate family need is determined; and all other available assistance resources have been utilized or exhausted. Additionally, the TFA application must originate and be filled out by someone at the local level. You must take the application into a local American Legion Post to be completed with an officer.
"It's an honor to be recognized by The American Legion for the amount of aid we have provided as Legionnaires to the veterans and their families here in Indiana," said Buzz Smith, Assistant Adjutant for the Indiana Department of The American Legion. "It's even more gratifying to know we aided over 6,000 children this year." he added.
SOURCE American Legion Department of Indiana
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