NEF, TFA ready to help disaster victims

NEF, TFA ready to help disaster victims

The American Legion’s National Emergency Fund (NEF) provides immediate financial assistance to Legion Family members and posts affected by natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and flooding. The fund provides up to $3,000 for qualified Legion Family members and up to $10,000 for posts.

The NEF covers expenses such as temporary housing, food, water, clothing and other daily household items.

"This is money given to them to cover out-of-pocket expenses," said David Elmore, assistant director of the Legion’s Internal Affairs Division. "It’s not like a low-interest loan. They don’t pay it back."

In order to qualify for an NEF grant, an applicant must:

  • Have been displaced from his or her primary residence due to a declared natural disaster.
  • Provide copies of receipts of items required to meet immediate needs,such as temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.
  • Be an active member of the Legion at the time of the disaster.

When National Commander Dale Barnett was sworn in during the Legion’s 2015 national convention in Baltimore, he said the NEF was his primary fundraising campaign and that he hoped to raise $1 million to keep the fund viable as it continues to provide relief for victims around the nation.

More than $8.5 million has been provided to Legion Family members and posts through the NEF since its inception. All contributions made to the NEF are deposited in a special account and used exclusively to meet urgent needs of Legion Family members. Not one donated dollar is used to fund administrative or fundraising costs.

To apply for assistance or to donate to the NEF, visit www.legion.org/nef.

Also, NEF media brochures are available for download under Internal Affairs on the Legion’s publication web page, www.legion.org/publications, to help department and post leaders on best practices to follow before, during and after an emergency. The brochures describe how to set up an NEF response team, locate affected Legion Family members, assist victims in filling out NEF applications and generate good public relations. NEF applications are also included.

While the NEF provides immediate assistance to Legion Family members, qualified children of Legion-eligible veterans may receive up to $2,500 through the Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program.

TFA grants can provide a lifeline to veteran families in need during times like these as they help meet the costs of shelter, food, utilities and health expenses. During disasters where a family has lost a home or it’s been severely damaged, TFA could be used to help cover mortgage costs while that family pays for temporary housing.

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 to receive a TFA grant.

Children 18 to 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.

Those wishing to apply for a TFA grant must contact their local Legion post.

More than $800,000 has been provided to children through TFA grants in 2015 alone.