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Family Support

FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK

The American Legion’s long demonstrated support and commitment to our men and women in uniform and their families has never wavered. The American Legion’s Family Support Network is ready to provide immediate assistance to service personnel and their families, whose lives have been directly affected by the ongoing global was on terrorism.

Since September 11, 2001, the active military, National Guard, and Reserve units have been activated in record numbers and duration. As a result, the families of these men and women often find themselves unable to meet normal monthly household obligations. Assistance is needed for a variety of everyday household chores, grocery shopping, help with connecting to available local resources to ensuring that the grass is mowed for the expecting mother whose husband is serving abroad.

To actively connect families in need to a local American Legion post, The American Legion maintains a nationwide toll-free telephone number, 1-800-504-4098, for service personnel and their families to call for assistance. Families can also request assistance online at www.legion.org/fsn.

FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK-CURRENT PROCEDURES

  1. The request is received at 800-504-4098 or online at www.legion.org/fsn
  2. The name, address, telephone number of the caller, and the reason for the call is collected.
  3. The request is referred to The American Legion Department.
  4. The Department refers the request to a local post.
  5. The local Post contacts the family and provides the assistance if resources are available or refers the family to other local agencies.
  6. In case of financial need, the Post provides the necessary funds or assists the family in applying for American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA*) if there are minor children in the home.

*TFA – Eligibility for Temporary Financial Assistance is limited to minor children of veterans. The parent must have served at least one day of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States during one of the following periods:

  • December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946
  • June 25, 1950 – January 31, 1955
  • February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975
  • August 24, 1982 – July 31, 1984
  • December 20, 1989 – January 31, 1990
  • August 2, 1990 – Cessation of hostilities as determined by the U.S. Government.

Membership in the American Legion is not required for assistance.