Updated July 15, 2020.
Project Sanctuary has been carefully monitoring resources for military families as the COVID-19 pandemic bears down on the lives of all Americans and care very deeply about veterans and their families. Family Support was created to respond to these ever-changing needs which affect our well-being and we respond accordingly with referrals for counseling, collaboration with other organizations, or by providing direct assistance. We are ready to respond to your requests for additional resources! Feel free to contact Family Support via email request at familysupport@projectsanctuary.us.
In a very fluid situation, a number of other organizations are responding to the needs of veterans’ families as well. We are regularly discovering how these organizations are providing assistance and will continue to monitor these resources and share them with you.
EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR FOOD & HOUSING
2-1-1 phone service: if you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services, dial 211 to speak to someone who can help. Their website can be found here.
The American Red Cross has an app called HeroCare which allows access to vital emergency and non-emergency resources for military members, veterans and military families. Visit here for more information.
Modest Needs seeks to provide short-term financial assistance to individuals and families in temporary crisis. Information about applying for a grant can be found here.
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes has a program for emergency funds. The application can be found here.
Salute, Inc.has a program for financial assistance. The application can be found here.
Semper Fi & America’s Fund has established a special COVID-19 response team to assist in a variety of ways, including gas cards, gift cards and more. Information may be found here.
USA Cares has several programs for veterans, including financial assistance. Information can be found here.
H.E.R.O.E.S. Care offers financial assistance. Information on their program can be found here.
Operation Home front offers a critical financial assistance program and information can be found here.
Wounded Warrier Project committed $10 Million to help wounded veterans during COVID with their financial needs. Those unable to meet their needs for food or shelter can apply for emergency funds. Warriors who qualify will be granted $1,000 per household to help pay for groceries, utilities, rent or mortgage payments, and other essential expenses. Read more here.
Be sure to check out this article from Clark Howard Coronavirus and Your Money: Answers and Resources found here. This outstanding article covers many topics associated with financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
OTHER RESOURCES
The Code of Support Foundation has a search engine for identifying a spectrum of resources available to veterans and can be found here.
Operation Once In A Lifetime has a Coronavirus Emergency Fund and information can be found here.
Military One Source has a description of what the service relief organizations are offering for assistance with links to each website for Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and Air Force Aid Society. Click here for more information.
In addition, Coast Guard Mutual Aid has a COVID-19 assistance program here.
The Code of Support Foundation has a case management program assisting veterans across a spectrum of needs. You can apply for assistance here as well as make use of their search engine for identifying resources here.
What is the new CARES Act and what benefits can you expect from the stimulus package? Navy Federal Credit Union breaks it down here.
It’s important during this time of potential financial insecurity to monitor your credit. Project Sanctuary has learned that the three major credit-reporting agencies are now letting you check your credit report every week for free. You typically can only check once a year for free. More information can be found here.
Need to negotiate paying bills during the COVID-19 pandemic? Here’s an article with some tips on how to do that.
EMPLOYMENT
If you’ve been laid off or lost your job due to COVID-19, this article outlines steps you can take for filing unemployment. An unemployment benefits search engine can be found here.
Over 100 internet companies have pledged not to terminate services to any residential or small business customers who cannot pay their bills, waive any late fees and open its WiFi hotspots to any American who needs them. In a promise to “keep American connected,” the Federal Communications Commission’s site offers a full list of companies and associations that are participating here.
Of course, there are many organizations that regularly assist veterans families who have not advertised a special response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will still consider requests as they would under normal circumstances. Feel free to contact Family Support (at familysupport@projectsanctuary.us) with your needs and we will develop a response unique to your location and situation. Stay tuned for further developments.
EVICTION
Should you find yourself in a potential eviction or homeless situation, please know that Project Sanctuary is here to help! Email us at familysupport@projectsanctuary.us and also review the resources provided below.
More Information About Homeless Veterans Options from the VA, click here.
To Learn Which States Have Paused Evictions, click here.
Click here to read Guidance For VA Home Loan Borrowers During COVID.
