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6 Organizations That Help Veterans Short of Cash

There are places to turn to if you’re suddenly in a financial tight spot

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While a veteran’s transition from combat zone to conference room involves a focused job search, there’s more involved in supporting yourself and your family beyond landing a steady paycheck.

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Getty Images/AARP

You can subscribe here to AARP Veteran Report, a free e-newsletter published every two weeks. If you have feedback or a story idea then please contact us here.

Several organizations offer financial assistance to ease economic strains, which can be particularly helpful during inflation.

Here are six groups that help veterans.

Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes

Since 2004, the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes has handed out millions of dollars to post-9/11 disabled American veterans. Emergency financial aid includes utility bills, internet, cable and phone service, mortgage or rent payments, car loan payments, groceries, baby formula, household supplies, school supplies and school clothing. Help with auto and home repairs is also available.

Eligibility requirements are listed in the application form.

Modest Needs Foundation

Veterans who recently returned from overseas may tap into the Modest Needs Foundation’s Homecoming Heroes Grant. There are two types of stopgap assistance: for a onetime emergency expense that would otherwise create a significant hardship, and for help with a regular monthly bill such as rent or mortgage.

You need to have been on active military duty within the past five years and have applied for (or be waiting to receive) a source of income. The idea is that the veteran will be self-sufficient once the paychecks start to arrive.

Operation First Response

Operation First Response serves disabled veterans. Peggy Baker, founder and president of Operation First Response, told AARP Veteran Report: “Our heroes are often on a fixed income and when a vehicle repair, appliance replacement or any unexpected cost arises, this often sends the family into financial distress.”

Response to applications for assistance is generally made within 24 hours.

Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW)

The American Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors offers quality-of-life and comfort items via grants to wounded, injured and ill service members, veterans and their families. Unlike other programs offering assistance with rent or mortgage, utilities, cars and more, OCW commits to high-quality care such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and therapeutic recreation.

“There is no specific cap to the grant amounts,” OCW program director Doug Chace told AARP Veteran Report. “We have delivered 62 grants so far this year and the average grant this year has been $5,860.” There’s also no era of service requirement. “This year, we have provided grants for people ranging from 19 years old to 87 years old,” said Chace.

The time frame to receive grants after submitting an application is typically five to six weeks.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

The VFW program Unmet Needs supports veterans, active-duty service members and their families facing a cash crisis by providing financial aid grants up to $1,500 to support basic life needs. Repayment is not required.

Post-9/11 veterans are eligible if financial hardship is a direct result of military-service-related injuries or illnesses. Pre-9/11 veterans have to be on a fixed income that must include VA compensation for service-connected injuries or illnesses

After veterans complete the application, a program caseworker will be assigned. Payments will be sent directly to creditors.

American Corporate Partners (ACP)

The best way to get out of a financial tight spot is usually to get a good job. Since 2008, 25,000 veterans have participated in ACP’s mentorship program. The free service pairs veterans who have served at least 180 days of active duty since 9/11 with 100 corporate partners.

ACP pairs 4,000 mentors with mentees annually for conversations that usually take place about once a month for a year.

“A lot of the mentorships lead to jobs,” Colleen Deere, vice chairman of the ACP board of directors, told AARP Veteran Report. “It’s the power of the mentor’s network — introducing someone they know ­— and that can lead to a job too.”

Bottom line

Never be too proud to seek assistance when you need it. Help is out there.

You can subscribe here to AARP Veteran Report, a free e-newsletter published every two weeks. If you have feedback or a story idea then please contact us here.

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