U.S. Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The

The Unmet Needs Program helps America's Military and Veteran service members who have been deployed in the last six years and have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity. The program provides financial aid of up to $5,000 to assist with basic life needs in the form of a grant -not a loan- so no repayment is required. Payment is made directly to the creditors. The hardship cannot be caused by civil, legal or domestic issues, misconduct, or any issues resulting from spousal separation or divorce, or financial mismanagement by self or others. Applicants can receive funds only once every 18 months, and only twice total. Second requests for assistance must be caused by a new situation or deployment. In the event of a natural disaster (flood, fire, earthquake, et.) grants in the amount of $300 for power loss or damage to the home, or $500 for the total loss of primary residence.

The Service Member or Veteran must have have been honorably discharged from the military within the past 72 months prior to applying; must be the service member or eligible dependent listed under DEEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility System, which is the computerized database of uniformed service members, their family members and others who are eligible for military benefits); and are experiencing a financial hardship related to the military (i.e. deployment; military pay issue, or military illness or injury.) The hardship cannot be caused by civil, legal or domestic issues, misconduct, or any issues resulting from spousal separation or divorce, or financial mismanagement by self or others. For a detailed list of expenses that are eligible/ineligible for consideration of payment, go to their website.

Complete application form available on www.vfw.org/UnmetNeeds, then click on the "Unmet Needs Application" link. The application and supporting documentation may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the VFW offices to the address below: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Attn.. Unmet Needs Program, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111; Fax (816) 968-2779; email: unmetneeds@vfw.org. Once the completed application is received, a representative may contact the applicant to discuss specific and/or to request additional information. This contact does not imply approval of the application. Applicant will be contacted as soon as a final determination is made in his/her case. Approval process normally takes twenty business days. For additional information, please contact a staff member of the Unmet Needs Program at 1-866-789-6333.

No fee.

National

http://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants

2/14/2023