Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund Offers Help After Devastating Flooding

Severe flooding has left communities across Indiana facing devastating damage and an uncertain recovery. The Indiana American Legion Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund gives affected Legionnaires and American Legion Posts a place to turn for assistance and presents Hoosiers and beyond with a direct way to help.

Severe storms and flash flooding this week have left communities across Indiana facing devastating effects. Homes and property have been damaged, families have been displaced, and the full extent of the losses is still being assessed.

Across the state, Legion Family members and concerned Hoosiers are asking two important questions: Where can those affected turn for help, and how can the rest of us help them?

The Indiana American Legion Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund helps answer both.

The fund provides emergency assistance to eligible Indiana Legionnaires and American Legion Posts affected by a declared natural disaster. It also gives people from every part of the state a direct way to help provide relief to those facing the greatest needs through the Indiana American Legion Foundation.

The Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund is available in addition to the American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF), creating another potential source of assistance for eligible Indiana Legionnaires and Posts. All assistance is subject to the application and review process, including the requirement that the event be covered by a federal, state, city, or county disaster proclamation.

Help provide immediate relief

When disaster strikes one Indiana community, people throughout the state want to respond. A gift to the Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund helps provide immediate emergency assistance to eligible Legionnaires and Posts affected by natural disasters.

Donations made now will help ensure resources are available as the damage is assessed and eligible applications are received. Every contribution, regardless of size, strengthens the Foundation's ability to provide relief when a fellow veteran is displaced from home or when a Post cannot continue serving its community because of disaster-related damage.

If you are in a position to help, please consider donating to the Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund. Your generosity will provide meaningful relief to those who need it most.

Assistance for individual Legionnaires

The Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund may provide immediate emergency assistance to an eligible Legionnaire who has been displaced from a primary residence because of disaster-related damage. It may also assist someone who was ordered to evacuate and cannot safely return home because of damage or unsafe conditions. Assistance amounts are determined through the review process based on documented emergency needs and available funding.

Assistance is intended for documented, out-of-pocket emergency expenses related to immediate health and safety, including:

• Temporary shelter or lodging

• Food

• Clothing

• Utilities

• Fuel and other eligible evacuation or recovery expenses

  
  

Only one individual grant is available per household for each disaster. The Legionnaire's membership must have been current on both the date of the disaster and the date of application.

Assistance for American Legion Posts

Indiana American Legion Posts may apply for assistance through the Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund when a declared natural disaster damages the Post building and restricts the Post's ability to continue existing programs in the community. Assistance amounts are determined through the review process based on documented losses, the impact on ongoing programs, and available funding.

Post applications should explain the damage, identify programs that were suspended or affected, and include a written report from a district or department officer. A copy of the Post's most recent Consolidated Post Report should also be submitted.

National Emergency Fund assistance is also available

The American Legion National Emergency Fund continues to provide emergency assistance following declared natural disasters. Under the current application, eligible Legionnaires may receive up to $3,000, while eligible Posts may receive up to $10,000.

Like the Indiana fund, NEF assistance is intended to address immediate needs and is not a replacement for homeowners, renters, automobile, or business insurance. Neither program is designed to reimburse insured losses or cover items such as business losses, inventory, landscaping, outbuildings, or vehicles.

If you were affected, begin documenting damage now

Affected Legionnaires and Posts should begin gathering information as soon as it is safe to do so. Complete and well-documented applications can help prevent delays.

Supporting information may include:

• Photographs of the damage

• Receipts for emergency expenses

• Repair estimates

• FEMA, local government, or other agency statements

• A copy of any mandatory evacuation order, when applicable

• An explanation of why an available emergency shelter was not used, when applicable

  
  

Keep copies of the completed application, receipts, and all supporting documents. Members should also explore available federal and state assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Apply through Department Headquarters

Applications for both the Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund and the National Emergency Fund must be submitted through The American Legion, Department of Indiana Headquarters. Do not send an NEF application directly to National Headquarters.

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted within 90 days of the disaster.

To request an application or receive assistance with the process, contact:

The American Legion, Department of Indiana

5440 Herbert Lord Road

Indianapolis, IN 46216

317-630-1300

web@indianalegion.org

To support the response, use the donation link in this article and designate your gift to the Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund.

In moments like this, the Legion Family does what it has always done: veterans help veterans, families support families, and communities stand together.

Whether you need assistance or are looking for a way to help, the Indiana American Legion Foundation Disaster Relief Fund provides a path forward.