Individual Hardship & Emergency Assistance Fund

A sudden medical diagnosis. A car breaking down when there’s no savings. Rent going up without warning. A caregiver draining a bank account. An unexpected deployment. A flood that takes out everything in a basement apartment. Losing hours at work because of PTSD flare-ups. These moments don’t make the news, but they turn lives upside down.

Veterans, Gold Star families, and those who’ve loved and supported them often carry more than their share. When one more blow becomes too much to manage, this fund is here to step in.

This isn’t a large government program, and funds are limited. But when support is available and a request is approved, we move quickly. In many cases, help is provided within five business days. That help might come as a prepaid debit card or a direct payment to cover urgent needs like rent, utility bills, transportation, or groceries.

Each request is reviewed personally. Each story is taken seriously.

We don’t use a rigid checklist, but there are a few core guidelines to know before you apply:

• You are an Active Duty, Veteran, a Gold Star family member (or significant loved one).
• Your income falls within, or near, HUD’s low-income guidelines. These limits are higher than some people expect, and we consider exceptions when the hardship is significant.
• The situation you’re facing is serious. It’s urgent or life-altering, not just inconvenient.
• You understand that meeting these guidelines doesn’t guarantee approval. But it does mean we’ll take the time to understand what’s going on and see if we can help.

We keep the process as simple as we can. Emergencies don’t wait, and neither do we.

Here are a few examples of how this fund has helped people get through difficult times:

• A veteran and their spouse lost their home after being financially exploited by a relative. They were working with another organization who helped with getting them out of the situation, but they couldn't afford the cost of the moving truck. 
• After a tornado and flood hit their town, a disabled veteran and their family were facing food insecurity and possible utility shutoff. We covered overdue bills so they could focus on staying safe and rebuilding.
• A post-9/11 veteran working toward sobriety was close to foreclosure. Our support gave them enough breathing room to stay housed and continue rebuilding their life while caring for their child.
• One family, already struggling with medical issues and job loss, was facing eviction. We helped with rent so they could stay in place and keep some stability for their child.

These are quiet interventions. No fanfare. Just help when it’s needed most.

We know asking isn’t easy. If you think you might qualify or aren’t sure, reach out. Every request is reviewed with care and without judgment.

This fund is entirely donor-supported. If you believe that service should be honored not just in words but in action, your support means everything. It turns someone's breaking point into a turning point.

This is one way we keep Daegan’s legacy alive. With compassion. With action. With love that doesn’t stop.