The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund (IMFRF) provides monetary grants to families of Illinois National Guard members and Illinois residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve components who were called to active duty as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

IMFRF grants are intended to help service members and their families defray the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services, and other expenses that become difficult to afford when a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty.

Beginning in 2004, donations can be made through a voluntary check off on Illinois individual income tax forms.

You are eligible for a Status Based Grant if:

• Grant applicant is a member of the Illinois National Guard or an Illinois resident serving in a US Armed Forces Reserve component, or is a family member of the Guardsman/Reservist and is enrolled in DEERS;
• Military member was/is on active duty for a minimum 30 days as a result of 9/11/01;
• Military member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3 or W-3;
• Effective January 1, 2008, Service members deployed for a consecutive (not cumulative) period of duty of more than six months will become eligible for additional status based grants for each consecutive six month period. After the beginning of the seventh, thirteenth, etc, months, applicants may reapply. The subsequent application must include sufficient documentation to validate that the continuous duty was performed in support of operations as defined above. (This subsection (a)(4) is effective January 1, 2008. Members on active duty on January 1, 2008 will become eligible once they have completed six months on or after January 1, 2008.)

You are eligible for a Need Based Grant if:

• Grant applicant is a member of the Illinois National Guard or an Illinois resident serving in a US Armed Forces Reserve component, or is a family member of the Guardsman/Reservist and is enrolled in DEERS;
• Military member was/is on active duty for a minimum of 30 days as a result of 9/11/01;
• Military member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3 or W-3;
• Military salary (including BAH) is at least 30% less than civilian salary and monthly reserve drill pay;
• Financial assistance needed for clothing, food, rent/mortgage, utilities, medical services/prescriptions, insurance or vehicle payments;
• Military member is married or has family member in DEERS;
• Effective 1 January 2008, A member or a member's family may apply for and receive a $2,000 grant each six month period of continuous deployment. Applications will not be approved unless at least six months have elapsed from the date of receipt of the previous application. (This subsection (b) is effective January 1, 2008. Members on active duty on January 1, 2008 will become eligible once they have completed six months on or after January 1, 2008.)

You are eligible for a Casualty Based Grant if:

• Proof that the service member sustained an injury as a result of terrorist activity; sustained an injury in combat, or related to combat, as a direct result of hostile action; or sustained an injury going to or returning from a combat mission, provided that the incident leading to the injury was directly related to hostile action.  This includes injuries to service members who are wounded mistakenly or accidentally by friendly fire directed at a hostile force or what is thought to be a hostile force. This rule is retroactive, but does not apply to applications for casualty based grants that were disbursed prior to December 7, 2004;
• Grant applicant is a member of the Illinois National Guard or an Illinois resident serving in a US Armed Forces Reserve component, or is a family member of the Guardsman/Reservist and is enrolled in DEERS;
• Military member was/is on active duty as a result of 9/11/01;
• Military member incurred a service-connected injury. The applicant must provide proof that the service member sustained an injury as a result of terrorist activity; sustained an injury in combat, or related to combat, as a direct result of hostile action; or sustained an injury going to or returning from a combat mission, provided that the incident leading to the injury was directly related to hostile action. This includes injuries to service members who are wounded mistakenly or accidentally by friendly fire directed at a hostile force or what is thought to be a hostile force

To apply for a Grant:

• Attach copies of all required documentation
• All Status and Needs grants awarded on first-come, first-served basis (casualty based grants given top priority)
• Timeliness of payment will be determined by amount of funds available at time of application
• Complete the IMRF Grant Application (click to open in separate browser window)
• Insure you sign, date, and make a copy for your records.
• Send the original, signed application to:

Illinois Department of Military Affairs
Attn: IMFRF Coordinator
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62707-2399

Questions? Contact the IMRF Program Coordinator:
Toll-Free:  Within IL: (866) 524-ILNG(4564) or 217-761-3452
Donations are accepted through Illinois epay at http://www.illinoisepay.com