Veteran View

Vets in need can turn to Military Relief Fund

Posted

Well the weather has calmed down and we have a reasonable temperature. To date we have had 65 phone calls into my office from veterans and families. I have had 21 veterans visit my office this month.

We also took a total of eight veterans to the VA hospital this month.

Just as a reminder the VFW and the American Legion does have American flags for sale and anyone can come in to purchase them. Also the American Legion has an outside receptacle for used flags.

I will be at the American Legion Post 72 in Crawfordsville from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and at the V.F.W. Post 1431 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 to speak with anyone who wants to come in. You do not need to be a member of either post to speak to me.

Just as a reminder that the number 988 is the new suicide phone number as of July 16 however the old number of 1-800-273-8255 Press 1 will still be in use.

From July 1 to Sept. 15 operation “Back to School” from the Military Family Relief Fund allows for $500 per dependent child for back-to-school expenses apply for Children K-12 (up to age 18) or full-time college students (up to age 23)

Students must live in the veterans home. You will need *DD-214, *W-9, Direct deposit form, *Proof of income, Bank Statement, * Proof of child’s residency. This is for veterans experiencing financial hardship.

Indiana Veteran Families experiencing financial hardship can apply for the Military Family Relief fund for an amount of up to $2,500 one time. Contact me if you this emergency grant may be awarded for needs such as housing, utilities, food, medical services or basic transportation (car payments, insurance and basic emergency car repair). The veteran must have an honorable, under honorable conditions, or certain other than honorable discharges. Must have a proof of Indiana residency, driver’s license, VA ID card and IN ID card.

Veterans Health Indiana and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs will be at the Indiana State Fair this year. They will have booths near the Agriculture/Horticulture Building on Aug. 12-14. Military/First Responders’ Day at the state fair from 9 a.m. to
9 p.m. Aug. 19.

 

Joe Ellis is the Montgomery County Veterans Officer. He can be reached at the Montgomery County Government Center, 1580 Constitution Row, Crawfordsville, IN 47933; by email at joe.ellis@montgomeryco.net; by landline telephone at 361-4133; or by cellphone at 765-401-0432.


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