ILLINOIS MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF FUND

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 during an emergency declared by the President of the United States or Congress effective July 3, 2014. 

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. 

Senate Bill 2148 was signed 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. 

 

You are eligible for a Status Based Grant if:

  • 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;

  • The Military member was/is on active duty for a minimum of 60 days during an emergency declared by the President of the United States or Congress effective July 3, 2014;

  • Military member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3 or W-3 or effective December 9, 2009 - E8;

  • 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 Needs Based Grant if:

  • 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;

  • The Military member was/is on active duty for a minimum of 60 days during an emergency declared by the President of the United States or Congress effective July 3, 2014;

  • Military member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3, W-3 or effective December 9, 2009 - E8;

  • 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;

  • Military member is married or has family member(s) 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:

  • Grant applicant is a member of the:

    • Active Duty Armed Forces and an Illinois Resident - Injury must have occurred on or after November 23, 2009

    • 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).

  • 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.

  • Military member was/is on active duty during an emergency declared by the President of the United States or Congress effective July 3, 2014;

  • 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

You are eligible for a SAD Grant if:

You are a member of the Illinois National Guard, and Effective July 3, 2014, a service member that performed a minimum of 30 consecutive days of State Active Duty.

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 received on the same day as Status and Needs Grants will be processed first)

  • Timeliness of payment will be determined by amount of funds available at time of application

  • Insure you sign, date and make copy of the Request form for your records.

  • Send the original, signed application to:

    • Illinois Department of Military Affairs
    • ATTN: IMFRF Coordinator
    • 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd.
    • Springfield, IL 62702-2317

IMFRF COORDINATOR:

Illinois Department of Military Affairs
ATTN: IMFRF Coordinator
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, IL 62702-2317
 
Toll Free within IL: 866-524-4564 (ILNG)
or 
(217) 761-3452
To email the coordinator, Ms. Amanda Hollinshead, please fill out the form below. 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE IMFRF

Or to mail your donation:

Mailing Address:

Illinois Department of Military Affairs
ATTN: IMFRF Coordinator
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, IL 62702-2317

IMFRF Contact Form






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