Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) and 2015 Consolidated Reports (CPR) Karen Paris Department Training Committee Member 3rd Division Officer Past Commander, Post 593, Converse

Temporary Financial Assistance Since its establishment in 1925, The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) 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.  TFA is a “hand up” NOT a “hand out” National Commander Charles Schmidt has set a goal to raise $1 million this year for TFA.

Temporary Financial Assistance Maintenance Grants: Maintenance grants may be used to assist with expenses for basic needs such as: Shelter Utilities Food Clothing Maintenance grants cannot be awarded for previously incurred debt, except to prevent disconnection of utilities or stop eviction or foreclosure.

Temporary Financial Assistance Medical Grants: Medical grants for a child may be used to assist with healthcare expenses such as: Medical care Dental care Surgery Hospitalization Medications Dietary needs Medical grants require a written statement from a physican outlining the problem, treatment, and estimated costs. This type of grant must be approved before services are rendered. Medical grants can not be awarded for previous medical expenses or care.

Temporary Financial Assistance How to Apply Contact your local American Legion post or department (state) headquarters. 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.

Temporary Financial Assistance Under "financial information" on the form, list entire amount of family household income. A commonly left-off item is financial earnings from a live-in boyfriend or girlfriend. As far as the Legion is concerned, they too are contributing to household bills. Make sure the applicant has exhausted all military and non-military resources available to them (i.e., food stamps) because the TFA grant is just that - temporary. If the applicant has not made contact with other resources, that could have bearing whether or not he or she is granted TFA. When requesting for a bill to be paid, the applicant must submit the most current bill and all creditor information must be filled out.

Temporary Financial Assistance Make a donation You can donate to the Temporary Financial Assistance program by sending a check or money order, made out to The American Legion Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN, 46206 Questions????

2015 Consolidated Post Report There are 13,290 Posts in The American Legion For 2015, 8,894 CPRs submitted to National That’s 67% (4,396 did not report) Reports are due June 1st and can be submitted on line at MyLegion.org Full report can be seen at Legion.org These figures are used to demonstrate what The American Legion does for God and Country!!

2015 CPR Highlights Fundraising: Volunteer Hours: $500,000 – Emergency Fund $1.2 mil – Legacy Scholarship Fund $1.8 mil- VA hospitals $140,000 – Children’s hospitals $100,000 – Endowment Fund $1.6 mil – other charities Volunteer Hours: 4 million hours to Community Service 500,000 hours to Support Our Troops

2015 CPR Highlights Youth Programs: Blood Donations: Honors $14.6 mil to Baseball, Boys State, Oratorical, Scholarship, Scouting and Shooting Programs There were 45,500 participants Blood Donations: 46,000 donors gave 75,900 units of blood Honors 123,000 veteran funerals 8400 ROTC medals

2015 CPR Highlights Post Programs: Media: Crime Prevention – 800 Fire Prevention – 900 Homeland Security – 700 Homeless Out Reach – 750 Veterans in classrooms – 900 Media: 2600 Posts had a publication and a website 7000 posts held a Veteran’s Day event Only 1500 held a “Get Out The Vote” event

2015 CPR Highlights Remember these figures were obtained from 8,894/13,290 Posts (67%) Imagine what the figures would be if 100% submitted the CPR Questions?