The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund
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Donations are accepted through Illinois epay at
IL EPAY Donation to IMFRF or
may be mailed to 1301 N MacArthur Blvd, Springfield, IL 62702-2317
Recent and Upcoming events to support the Illinois Military Family
Relief Fund:
16 June 2012 - Scars and Stripes Roller Derby - Decatur
22 July 2012 - Springfield Area Peacekeepers Annual Motorcycle Ride - Camp
Lincoln, Springfield - 0930
15 September 2012 - Sound Celebration Chorus - 1940s USO Tribute - Hoogland
Center, Springfield - 1830
"It is the duty of all those on the homefront to support the
families of those who bear the battle. When the brave men and women of
Illinois answer the call to duty, they should not have to worry that
their families are suffering financially at home. All of us in the Land
of Lincoln can help our military families by donating to the Illinois
Military Family Relief Fund"
Governor Pat Quinn
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.
Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 2148 into law effective November 23,
2009, that increased the Casualty Based Grant from $ 2,000 to $ 5,000
and added eligibility to Active Duty Service Members who are Illinois
Residents. This is not retroactive, therefore injuries on or after
November 23, 2009 are eligible for consideration for the $ 5,000
Casualty Based Grant.
Status Based Grant: $ 500
National Guard and Reserve Soldiers Only
Based solely on member's military status
You are eligible for a Status Based Grant if:
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You are a member of the Illinois National Guard
or an Illinois resident serving in a US Armed Forces Reserve
component, or a family member of the Guardsman/Reservist and is
enrolled in DEERS or with a Power of Attorney;
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The Military member was/is on active duty for a
minimum of 60 days as a result of the September 11th terrorist attack
(prior to December 9, 2009 the minimum duty was 30 days);
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Military member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3
or W-3 or effective December 9, 2009 - E8;
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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.)
Need-Based Grant: $ 2,000 (maximum)
National Guard and Reserve Soldiers Only
Based on family's financial need
You are eligible for a Need Based Grant if:
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You are a member of the Illinois National Guard
or an Illinois resident serving in a US Armed Forces Reserve
component, or a family member of the Guardsman/Reservist and is
enrolled in DEERS or with a Power of Attorney;
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The Military member was/is on active duty for a
minimum of 60 days as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks
(prior to December 9, 2009, the mimimum duty was 30 days);
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Military member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3,
W-3 or effective December 9, 2009 - E8;
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The Service member was employed immediately preceding
the mobilization Service Members military salary (including BAH) is at
least 30% less than civilian salary and monthly reserve drill pay;
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Military member is married or has family member(s) in
DEERS;
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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.)
Casualty-Based Grant: $ 5,000
Based on injury
(Please Note there are separate forms for Active Duty and NG/Reserve
Service Members)
You are eligible for a Casualty Based Grant if:
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Grant applicant is a member of the:
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Active Duty Armed Forces and an Illinois Resident -
Injury must have occurred on or after November 23, 2009
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Illinois National Guard Member 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 or has a
Power of Attorney for the Service Members Affairs. (NG and reserve
members are eligible on or before November 22, 2009, for the $ 2,000
Casualty Based Grant).
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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.
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Military member was/is on active duty as a result of
the September 11th terrorist attacks;
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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:
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Attach copies of all required documentation
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All Status and Needs grants awarded on first-come,
first-served basis (casualty based grants received on the same day as
Status and Needs Grants will be processed first)
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Timeliness of payment will be determined by amount of
funds available at time of application
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Insure you sign, date and make copy of the Request
form for your records.
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Send the original, signed application to:
Illinois Department of Military Affairs
ATTN: IMFRF Coordinator
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62702-2399
Frequently asked questions
Additional 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
IL EPAY Donation to IMFRF or
may be mailed to 1301 N MacArthur Blvd, Springfield, IL 62702-2317
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