COLD SPRING, Ky. – Marc Burgess, national adjutant of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) announced Monday that the organization has created a COVID-19 relief fund for veterans with service-connected disabilities. The organization is seeking both applicants for aid and donors to help fund the program.
Burgess’ release to DAV officers reads:
As COVID-19 continues to affect communities around the country, it’s having a devastating impact on many of our nation’s veterans. On top of the additional health risks our wounded, ill and injured veterans face with the coronavirus, thousands of veterans with service-connected disabilities are being laid off or have had to close their small businesses due to this pandemic.
In response to this unprecedented event, DAV has established a COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide financial aid to service-connected disabled veterans who have lost employment or income due to COVID-19. The issued grants are meant to help veterans pay bills, obtain food and provide for their families during these difficult times.
The application for this relief can be found at www.dav.org/COVIDrelief/. Veterans will need to fully complete the application and provide documentation verifying their status as a service-connected disabled veteran who has lost employment as a result of the pandemic. Disabled veterans who are small business owners or who work independently and have been negatively impacted financially as a result of the virus may also be eligible for this assistance.
We humbly request your assistance in getting this information out as widely as possible so that we may help these disabled veterans who are desperately struggling and no longer able to make ends meet during this unprecedented time. Like you, we don’t know when this crisis will end. But we do know that together we can make a life-saving difference for our fellow veterans and their families.
If you would like to donate to this campaign, go to DAV.org/relief or text RELIEF to 484848.
On its website, DAV says:
“The devastation caused by COVID-19 is catastrophic
“As the commerce of our nation grinds to a halt amid the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), many are finding themselves suddenly unemployed and unable to provide for themselves and their families.
“Veterans with disabilities are disproportionately more vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19. For our nation’s 4.7 million disabled veterans, the coronavirus creates a set of unique challenges-not only do service-connected illnesses place these individuals in higher-risk categories, but many now also face a dire financial situation due to lost income.
“There are thousands of disabled veterans in need, and DAV is here to help.”
From DAV
Who is eligible?
“Service-connected disabled veterans who have lost employment as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible. This includes veterans who are self-employed as contractors or small business owners.”
What documentation is required?
“To verify your status as a service-connected disabled veteran, you will need to submit a copy of a valid VA identification card or any other proof of service connection from eBenefits.”
“To verify your hardship, you will need to submit proof of unemployment such as a termination letter or proof that you’ve applied for unemployment benefits. If self-employed, you will need to submit proof of lost income.”
Do I need to be a DAV member to receive benefits?
“No. Being a member is not a requirement to receive any of the no-cost services DAV provides veterans, but you are always welcome to join our ranks.”
Find these and other questions and answers at www.dav.org/COVIDrelief/.
Get involved
To donate to the DAV COVID-19 Relief Fund, visit Support DAV Today!.
To apply for assistance, visit www.dav.org/COVIDrelief/.
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