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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 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.

6. 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.

7. 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????

8. 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!!

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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?