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The aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian barreled its way into Florida as a major Category 4 storm leaving a trail of damage from Florida's West coast to its East coast. Strong winds and flooding have devastated a large portion of the state. 

Now it's time to band together to cleanup and rebuild. The American Legion family will work together to provide assistance and relief in any way possible. Please visit our website during the coming days for more information as it becomes available.

We want you to be aware of The American Legion programs that are available to assist you during this delicate time. If you were required to evacuate or displaced from your home, please remember to keep your receipts for the Legion programs below.

If members are in need of continuing housing after a disaster because of damages sustained to their homes and the home is not available to be occupied, they should go to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or the local FEMA Disaster Center for FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance. If a member is unable to get FEMA or other government-provided temporary housing, members may apply for an individual NEF grant or TFA within the restrictions established for each fund.

National Emergency Fund (NEF)

Eligibility:

1. Eligibility is open to Legionnaires and Sons of The American Legion members (up to $3,000) and Legion Posts (up to $10,000).
2. Applicants must have been displaced from their primary residence due to damage sustained during a declared natural disaster.
3. Not meant to replace or repair items, only to meet the most immediate needs (i.e., temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.) during the period immediately following the disaster.
4. Does not cover insurance compensation or monetary losses from a business, structures on your property (barns, tool sheds, etc.,) equipment, or vehicles.
5. Membership must be active at the time of disaster and the time of application.

Application Requirements:

1. The application must be submitted to the Department Headquarters within 90 days of the disaster.
2. The disaster must be a "declared" natural disaster for Legion Family members.
3. Supporting data (photos, receipts, repair estimates, etc.) should be included, if possible, or statements (testimony) from post/district/department officers attesting to damages to the residence requiring displacement.
4. Only one grant per household per disaster.
5. Post grants must derive from a declared natural disaster and substantiating documentation must provide that The American Legion post will cease to perform the duties and activities in the community due to losses sustained.

Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) grants

Eligibility:

The minor child must not be older than 17, or 20 if still enrolled in high school or is physically handicapped. The minor child must be the biological child, stepchild, or in the legal custody of, a qualifying veteran. A qualifying veteran is defined as a member of the United States Armed Forces serving on federal orders current under Title 10 of the United States Code, inclusive of all components, OR any veteran possessing an up-to-date membership in The American Legion. Active duty applicants can be considered without being members of The American Legion. A single one-time non-repayable Temporary Financial Assistance grant of up to $1,500 will be permitted for the minor child(ren) of a qualifying veteran.

No child can be considered eligible 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. For more information or to apply, members will start by contacting their local American Legion post, or Department Headquarters, or visit the website---https://www.legion.org/tfa.

Other Helpful resources: http://floridadisaster.org/getaplan/

State Assistance Information Line (SAIL): 1-800-342-3557

Please stay tuned to your local officials and/or log on to the www.floridadisaster.org