Financial Assistance
Saving lives and keeping families together.
The Urgent Financial Assistance Program provides one-time emergency financial assistance to veterans in financial crisis. Our program is designed to help veterans pay their past due or outstanding bills, and help veterans get back on the path towards financial stability and independence.
veterans received financial assistance in 2023.
veteran dependents impacted by financial assistance in 2023.
dollars spent on urgent financial assistance in 2023.
veterans and dependents received financial assistance so far this year.
dollars spent on urgent financial assistance so far this year.
Veteran Eligibility Requirements
1
Must be a U.S. Military Veteran with any discharge status other than dishonorable.
2
Currently living in Florida and a resident of Florida.
3
Enrolled in the VA Healthcare system in Florida.
4
Must have a combined service connected disability rating of 30% or higher, or have an active pending SCD claim, or is a purple heart recipient.
5
The request is considered a basic living expense as specified in the “Scope of Work" below.
We help veterans develop strategies to ensure financial independance.
How to Apply for Financial Assistance
If you are a veteran who meets the above eligibility requirements, your next step is to reach out to your PACT Team Social Worker or your county-appointed Veteran Service Officer for a referral.
The veteran’s VA Representative or county-appointed VSO will send WVRF a referral email confirming the veteran’s identity and eligibility, then WVRF will send the veteran an intake application email directly.
Social Workers, VA Representatives, and VSOs
To learn more about sending a referral to WVRF, please complete the form and a WVRF Case Worker will contact you.
Veteran Process for Financial Assistance.
1
Referral
The veteran’s VA Representative (Social Worker, RN, PCP, etc.) or county-appointed VSO must send WVRF an email referral to begin the application process.
2
Intake Application
The veteran will receive an email from WVRF titled “Wounded Veterans Relief Fund Application,” with a secure link to the veteran’s application. It is the veteran’s responsibility to complete the intake application.
3
Sign the Document
WVRF reviews the completed application and sends out a Dropbox Sign email for both the VA and Rep/VSO and the veteran to review and digitally sign off on the veteran’s completed application.
4
Upload your Documents
WVRF sends out an “Upload Your Documents,” email with a secure link for the veterans to safely and securely upload their supporting documents.
Documents must be uploaded in PDF file format.
5
Case Review
WVRF will review the completed case file only when all of the required documents are uploaded in the proper format. WVRF may request additional clarification from the veteran and if approved, WVRF will issue a payment on the veteran’s behalf.
Our Scope of Work
The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund provides one-time financial assistance for past due or outstanding essential living expenses. We cover tangible bills that need to be paid by legitimate businesses.
Our Scope of Work is subject to change without notice due to funding and grant availability.
Covered
Past Due Rent/Mortgage
Utilities (Electric, Water, Gas, Garbage, etc.)
Vehicle Loan Payments, Car Insurance
Childcare
Minor home repairs
Move-In Assistance (first/last month’s rent)
Emergency Temporary Housing Assistance
Not Covered
Food, Gas
Phone, Internet, Cable Bills
Vehicle Registration, Drivers License renewal, Vehicle repairs
Personal Loans, Student Loans, Credit Card Debts
Major Home Repairs
Deposits of any kind
Taxes, Child Support
Legal Fees of any kind
Wounded Veterans Relief Fund reserves the right to deny veterans assistance based on behavior, financial stability, and willingness to change.
Covered Financial Assistance Services
Past Due Rent: If the veteran is approved, WVRF can assist with past due rent up to the receipt of a court-ordered eviction notice. Once the veteran’s eviction is filed with the courts, WVRF cannot assist with the veteran’s outstanding rent.
However, if the eviction is already court-ordered, WVRF can provide move-in assistance towards the veteran’s new living arrangements.
Past Due Mortgage: If the veteran is approved, WVRF can assist with past due mortgage balances (not the payoff amount) up to a certain amount (based on funding availability). In order to assist:
- The veteran’s home cannot be in foreclosure
- The veteran’s name must be on the mortgage statement
- The mortgage statement must be dated from the past 30 days
If the amount supersedes our budgeted allotment per veteran, WVRF may recommend the veteran set up a repayment plan, or to reach out to additional nonprofits to pool together assistance to pay off the entire outstanding balance.
Because we have the veteran’s best interest in mind, WVRF does not make partial payments towards mortgages, as partial payments do not guarantee that the veteran can remain in their home. It will be up to the veteran to either set up a repayment plan or to source other nonprofits for additional assistance. WVRF may provide a commitment letter to the veteran, as WVRF will make the final payment to bring the account balance to zero.
If the veteran is approved, the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund can pay utility bills like electric, water, gas, sewage, etc. In order to assist:
- The bill provided must be a full billing statement dated for the current month
- The veteran’s name must be on the account
- The statement must be for an established account
WVRF does not cover deposits or start-up connections. It is up to the veteran to establish their own account, WVRF will assist with outstanding and/or past due payments. If the veteran’s utilities are already turned off and the utilities company requires a credit card to put on file to reconnect services, the veteran will be responsible for making the minimum payment to reestablish the account, then WVRF will pay off the remaining balance.
Any/all vehicle requests will require both proof of current Vehicle Registration in Florida and an active vehicle insurance policy in order to be considered for vehicle loan assistance.
Vehicle Loans: If the veteran is approved, WVRF can pay past due and/or outstanding balance (not the payoff balance) towards a vehicle loan. In order to assist:
- The veteran must provide a current billing statement for the vehicle loan, including the monthly payment amount, principle vs interest, and the vehicle’s make/model.
- The veteran’s name must be on the loan statement, registration, and insurance policy.
- The vehicle must have valid, current FL vehicle registration.
- The veteran must have a current auto insurance policy covering the vehicle on the loan.
If a veteran has already received a notice of repossession, then WVRF cannot assist, as WVRF cannot interfere with legal proceedings of any kind.
Notice: Some banks finance vehicles through personal or consumer loans instead of vehicle loans. These types of loans are reviewed on a case by case basis, as WVRF does not cover personal loans or debts.
Vehicle Insurance: The veteran’s insurance policy must be active in order to be considered for vehicle insurance assistance. In order to assist:
- The veteran’s name must be on the insurance policy.
- The insurance policy must be active (WVRF does not reinstate or establish new policies).
If the veteran’s insurance policy needs to be reinstated and requires a credit card on file for reinstatement, the veteran will be responsible for putting their card on file and making the minimum payment towards the balance before WVRF can make a payment to bring the account to current.
WVRF will consider past due and outstanding balances for consideration. We do not cover 6-month or annual premiums.
If the veteran is approved, the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund can cover current and/or outstanding childcare costs. This includes daycare and/or after school programs at a licensed center. In order to assist:
- Childcare and after school programs must be licensed and certified legitimate businesses with billing statements and/or invoices. WVRF does not cover nannies or babysitters.
- The veteran must be able to provide WVRF with the current month’s billing statement. WVRF does not find or place children in childcare or afterschool programs.
- The veteran’s name must be on the billing statement.
Minor home repairs are considered on a case-by-case basis and if funding/grants are available. In order to assist:
- An estimate must be provided by a licensed, registered, and insured business.
- The home repair must be considered a necessary/functional repair, not an aesthetic repair
If the veteran has already paid for the repairs, WVRF will not reimburse the veteran for the repair costs.
In the event of a hurricane, WVRF sometimes acquires grants for home repairs and/or temporary housing (hotel assistance). In the event of a hurricane, please reach out to WVRF to see if we have grants/funding for home repairs.
WVRF does not assist with major home repairs like HVAC replacements, roof replacements, major electrical or plumbing repairs, mold remediation, or foundational issues. Veterans will be referred to Habitat for Humanity, Operation Homefront, and The Home Depot Foundation for major home repairs.
If the veteran is approved, the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund can cover move-in costs like first/last month’s rent, administrative fees, and any other fees due before move-in etc., but we do not cover deposits of any kind. It is up to the veteran to find living arrangements conducive to their lifestyle (within their monthly budget, close to their enrolled VA, work, school, daycare, family, etc.), sign the lease agreement, and pay the security deposit.
In order to assist:
- The veteran must have secured living arrangements
- The veteran’s name must be on the lease agreement
- The veteran must pay the deposits (including security, pet, etc.)
- The lease agreement must be a fully-executed legal Florida Lease Agreement
WVRF does not find or place veterans in living arrangements, as we are a very small team servicing veterans throughout the entire state of Florida. We do not have the knowledge or the expertise to provide veterans with living accommodations. Please reach out to your PACT social worker or VSO for placement resources.
WVRF does not reimburse veterans for move-in costs. If the veteran pays their move-in costs, they will be considered for rental assistance (please see above “Rent Assistance” section).
If the veteran is approved, they will be provided temporary housing assistance in the form of a hotel stay selected and booked by WVRF on a weekly basis for 1-3 weeks depending on available funding. In order to assist:
- Hotel requests must be within the state of Florida
- All veterans must have a valid FL driver’s license
- All veterans will be required to put down their own valid credit card or debit card for incidentals.
- Veterans must prove to the WVRF Case Manager that they are working towards a long-term sustainable solution like gaining employment and applying for living arrangements in order to be approved for an additional week of housing. Once funding runs out, we cannot provide any additional assistance.
In an effort to prevent homelessness, WVRF case managers may attempt to guide veterans towards move-in assistance rather than temporary housing assistance, as temporary housing is a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
Questions?
If you aren’t sure whether or not the request falls under our scope of work, please reach out to us and ask!