Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage in Florida and the Carolinas – home states for a combined 2.4 million veterans and almost 290,000 currently serving personnel.

Many members of this community need assistance in the storm’s aftermath, and The MOAA Foundation’s Crisis Relief Program stands ready to provide aid, regardless of rank or service branch. 

“If you have been affected by Hurricane Ian, or any other natural disaster, my heart goes out to you and your family. I invite you to submit an application” to the program, said Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), president and CEO of MOAA.

The Crisis Relief Program assists veterans, active duty servicemembers, and their families, including survivors, in crisis situations, such as natural disasters, by providing one-time emergency grant funds to approved applicants. The goal of this program is to provide meaningful aid to members of the uniformed services community in their time of need.

[FROM TRICARE.MIL: Hurricane Ian Disaster Information]

Three distinct features set the program apart from similar relief programs:

1. A streamlined application that takes less than 20 minutes to complete, saving applicants the time they need to address other urgent priorities.
2. Funds reaching the bank account of approved applicants within two weeks of approval -- timely relief when it can do the most good.
3. No requirement for a VA disability rating to be eligible, bridging the gap for the 12 million veterans without a disability rating.

If you have not been impacted by this storm, we urge you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the program and ask that you share this resource with all members of the uniformed services community.

Before Hurricane Ian hit, the Crisis Relief Program already had distributed almost $20,000 to individuals impacted by the record-breaking flooding in Kentucky. With an expected influx of applications from those in need after Hurricane Ian, The MOAA Foundation is asking MOAA members to take action by making a donation. All donations, no matter the amount, help ensure those in need receive assistance.

“I am so thankful our donors are standing together to provide aid to individuals and families in need,” said Amanda Centers, MOAA’s vice president of development. “With so many people recovering from various natural disasters across the country, support from donors is crucial.”

The MOAA Foundation relies on individual donations to fund these vital emergency financial assistance grants. Will you help us provide active duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families with financial assistance when they need it the most?

Donate now.