This fund helps the wounded and caregivers in ways the VA can’t

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Years of war have rendered Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) service members with severe physical, mental and emotional scars that will likely impact them throughout their lives. The financial implications and consequences of these scars are well documented and can affect all aspects of their lives and lives of their family members to include housing, employment, and their financial well-being.

The PenFed Foundation's Military Heroes Fund provides wounded veterans, military families, and caregivers with financial assistance and support that the Veterans Administration cannot offer due to budgetary and regulatory restrictions. These unmet needs are identified by VA advocates, National Guard case workers, the Army Wounded Warrior Program, and non-profit referral partners.

The Military Heroes Fund has two components:

• Emergency financial assistance for OIF/OEF wounded warriors and their families facing short-term financial difficulties.
• Family and Caregiver Transition Support
  • Child Care support provided for families of the wounded OIF/OEF families while receiving outpatient care at a VA medical facility, family visits, doctor visits, job-related.
  • Short term training or education expenses for job certification, licensure requirements and/or course materials such as course books technology fees, etc.
  • In-home health care for injured veteran to support caregiver respite needs.

The Military Heroes Fund gives grants to wounded veterans who:

• Served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
• Have been wounded, ill or injured during your OIF/OEF service
• Have received an Honorable discharge
• Are facing a financial emergency which is short-term
• Can provide a DD214 and VA Disability Rating Certification or have one in progress
• Can help us confirm your status by being referred by your Army Wounded Warrior advocate (AW2), Recovery Care coordinator (RCC), VA doctor or social worker, or another nonprofit advocacy organization

The Military Heroes Fund also gives grants to caregivers who:

• Are a Family member and/or caregiver of an Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) veteran
• Can provide a DD214 and VA Disability Rating Certification for veteran, or have one in progress
• Send copy of invoice or estimate for requested services from a licensed/certified individual, institution, or facility on official letterhead
• Can help us confirm your status by being referred by your Army Wounded Warrior advocate (AW2), Recovery Care coordinator (RCC), VA doctor or social worker, or another nonprofit advocacy organization

The PenFed Foundation continuously examine potential grantees who meet all the above criteria. If you qualify, fill out and return the application form along with copies of your DD214, VA Disability Statement and the bill from the institution or creditor which you need assistance with. (From receipt of all documentation, it can take up to 10 days to process the grant. Grants are paid directly to the creditor.)

For more on the PenFed Foundation go here.