PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The primary purpose of this fund is to provide our members assistance of up to $1,000.00 emergency relief assistance in case property is lost due to a fire, flood or other disaster, displacement during a disaster, and reimbursement for costs associated with blood replacement.

Disaster Assistance is about more than money, there is the effort on the ground.  We highly encourage comrades to provide on-site assistance post-disaster such as coordination with other community agencies and resources, providing supplies, etc..

Districts and posts are encouraged to develop a "community information tree” so that in the event of a disaster, Districts, Posts, and Comrades would automatically know where to turn to either assist, or to receive help if needed.

COVERAGE: All members in good standing within the Post could receive up to $1,000.00 as emergency disaster relief upon approval of their application by the Department of California.  To make a claim, use Disaster Claim Application Form (Form-7a) when requesting Disaster Assistance.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE GUIDELINES:  To qualify for an Assistance Fund claim, a member’s recruitment date must be at least 90 days prior to placing a claim.  A person who is qualified to receive assistance is the owner of his home and is living in it at the time of disaster or a member who is living in the disaster area and was required to evacuate due to the disaster.  For members requesting reimbursement for displacement, receipts must be attached to the claim.  A valid claim on a member’s home must first be substantiated by a District or Post Commander who will investigate this to be true, and then submit the claim to Department Headquarters with a completed W-9, who will then determine the amount of such claim, not to exceed $1,000.00.

    Any person receiving funds from the Assistance Fund must be a member in good standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California.

    Broken pipes, household accidents, or minor damages to personal property not due to a major catastrophic event are not eligible for filing a claim under the Assistance Program.

    Under no circumstances shall this be used for VFW member/landlords who have suffered a loss to rental property or for losses incurred by a business or businesses owned by a member of the VFW.