The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance
History National Commission on Children & Youth 1925 $5 million American Legion Endowment Fund Corporation $67 million
Now Americanism Division Youth Welfare Funding: American Legion Endowment Fund Donations/investment American Legion General Fund Membership
Scope 1,000 TFA applications received annually $3.7 million: Jan through Dec Average = $742,000 per year August 2015: 58 families, 134 children $85,000
Purpose Basic needs of children Shelter: Utilities Food Clothing Medical (with prior approval)
Qualifications Service period Minor child (under 18) High school, disability – 21 Proof Legal custody
Department National Investigates Approves Requests Communicates Distributes Reviews Approves Issues check 2-party Department HQ Procedure
Guidelines Follow instructions Exhaust resources Fill out application in entirety Investigator / Department Documentation Review Deny Call
Special Circumstance When in doubt call me: (317) Typical challenges: Guard/reserve service – DD214 Joint custody Grandparents Deceased or absent veteran parent
Public Relations FSN – Military families Message to landlords, creditors, community: The American Legion always fights to protect veterans and their families Posts with no money? That’s okay! TFA is funded by National! Paperwork + documents = time
Application Review
Questions?