The Louisiana National Guard Foundation (LANGF) Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) shall be dedicated to providing financial support on an emergency basis to assist Members of the Louisiana National Guard (Members) and their Dependents when financial hardship has been or could be triggered by an emergency event. Applications for funding from the ERF must be verified and endorsed by the Member’s chain of command and routed to the Office of The Adjutant General. The final recommending authority for all funding from the ERF is The Adjutant General (TAG.) Funds will be issued by the LANGF as soon as practicable following receipt of the final recommendation by TAG.
In this program brief, the following definitions apply:
1. Member – any active or retired but still actively working for LANG in some capacity
2. Dependent – spouses, children, step-children, foster children under the age of 19 or living in
the household of the Member, or 23 if in college or any age and permanently disabled
3. J1 – Personnel Division
Emergency Financial Assistance:
An emergency is a situation that arises suddenly, is unexpected and vital, and requires immediate attention. Assistance will normally be an interest-free loan. In certain situations, a grant or a combination loan and grant will be used. The amount of the assistance will be proportionate to the emergency need.
- Loan – Emergency financial assistance is normally a loan since Members are usually able to repay and prefer to do so. All LANG ERF loans are interest-free and shall be repaid on terms agreed upon by LANGF and TAG.
- Grant – Will be made when repayment in the foreseeable future would cause undue hardship. To make the determination of undue hardship, an evaluation will be made of the following:
a.) Personal situation
b.) Current and projected income
c.) Other assets
d.) Ability to start repayment immediately or in the near future
e.) Ability to complete repayment within a reasonable time frame - Combination Loan and Grant – Will be made when the individual’s situation precludes them from repaying the entire amount of the loan and a partial repayment can be made without undue hardship.
Emergency Financial Assistance for Dependents of Deceased Soldiers:
Assistance to dependents of deceased Members will be provided as a grant based upon the following:
- Emergency Assistance – usually occurs at the time of, or shortly after, the death of the Member. Frequently this will be a one-time or temporary need that cannot be deferred until Government benefits or other entitlements are received. In addition, a need may occur later if the dependent is unable to meet the basic needs.
- Monthly allowance – in extreme or exceptional circumstances when surviving dependents have a continuing situation of inadequate income to meet basic needs, a monthly allowance may be provided to supplement income. This can extend up to twelve months.
- Special need assistance – when conditions warrant, assistance may be given for certain medical or dental needs.
Emergency Financial Assistance Policies:
Assistance is provided under various types of situations or conditions. Normally, these would be obligations for everyday needs that are beyond the Member’s ability to meet.
- For emergencies that require immediate attention
- Provided for a valid need and not as a comfort or convenience
- Given only to individuals, not to groups, general welfare or long-term commitments
- Each request is considered on its own merits, on a personalized and timely basis, and without publicity
- Assistance is given only to Members and their authorized dependents
- Assistance to Members and their dependents for treatment of chronic illnesses will be provided only to the extent necessary to meet the immediate and short-term needs and to allow for future planning based on other resources
Emergency Financial Assistance Guidelines:
In order to evaluate the applicant’s request for assistance LANGF will require the following information from the Member and his / her chain of command:
- Purpose for which the emergency assistance is requested
- Whether a real emergency exists
- Whether financial assistance will relieve the emergency
- Information on the Member’s application will list income from all sources
- Itemized statement of monthly and other expenses
- Confirmation of the Member’s status
- Expiration of term of service
- Whether any personnel actions are pending involving elimination from LANG
- Recommendation and information from Unit Commander
- Whether the Member has received previous LANG ERF and the status of any prior loan
- Providing assistance as a loan unless repayment would cause undue hardship
- If a Member is under court-supervised bankruptcy proceedings, whereby approval for a loan must be obtained from the court-appointed trustee
Categories of Authorized Emergency Financial Assistance:
In order to properly identify reasons for assistance, insight into problem areas is essential to evaluate the need for help.
- Nonreceipt of pay – applies when pay is due and not received.
a. Can be verified from the individual’s earnings statement or by J1.
b. Assistance will
i. Not be based on amount of pay due
ii. Be limited to basic needs for subsistence to prevent deprivation until pay is received - Loss of Funds – normally a result of theft or not safeguarding of funds
i. Not based on amount of loss
ii. Limited to basic needs for subsistence to prevent deprivation until
pay or other funds are available - Medical, dental, or hospital expenses
a. Assistance is available for personal medical and incidental expenses related
to obtaining authorized medical care under TRICARE, MEDICARE, or other
private insurance. Includes all health services, equipment, and supplies that
are benefits under TRICARE, MEDICARE, or other private insurance.
Assistance is based on the following:
i. Medical treatment or hospital expenses are not elective but medically required.
ii. Paying bills or a required co-pay cannot be deferred thru the usual repayment period.
iii. Emergency treatment is needed and the dentist requires a down payment. Requires that the dentist affirm that the case is an emergency.
iv. Programmed treatment involves a significant down payment that the individual cannot meet. For orthodontic treatment, assistance is available only when required for medical purposes. - Funeral Expenses
a. Assistance is available for funeral expenses incurred for dependent family members.
b. Assistance is available for a non-dependent parent, sibling, or other extended family member on a limited basis and only as a loan.
c. Assistance will only be provided for a modest but dignified funeral.
d. Funds will not be provided for costs that are reimbursed by insurance, Social Security, veteran benefits, and other forms of benefits. - Required travel expenses
Assistance may be provided to meet unforeseen required travel, including, transportation, lodging, and food.
a. Emergency leave
b. Emergency travel
c. Convalescent leave authorized by medical authorities
d. Return of dependent(s) to soldiers’ household after short-term absence to
resolve problems at an emergency site.
Categories of Unauthorized Emergency Financial Assistance:
- Divorces
- Marriages
- Education expenses
- Rental, lease, or purchase of a new/used privately owned vehicle and associated costs
- Ordinary leave or vacation
- Liquidation or consolidation of outstanding debt
- Funds to replace those overdrawn from a bank account
- Business ventures or other investments
- Civilian court fees, fines, judgments, liens, bail, legal fees, and income taxes
- Items for convenience, comfort, or luxury
- Any elective medical procedures.