New Law Will Ensure Fairness In Awarding Of Indiana Military Relief Fund Grants

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 10:40 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

Southeastern Indiana State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) authored the law.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A law increasing oversight of the Indiana’s Military Family Relief Fund has been signed by Governor Eric Holcomb.

With the bill signed into law on Monday, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs will be blocked from approving grants for its own employees.

The Indianapolis Star and RTV 6 published a report last year about possible abuse of the relief fund. The investigative report found that employees of the IDVA were awarded relief fund grants almost immediately while other veterans waited months to receive payments or, in some cases, were denied any grant money.

State Representatives Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) authored House Enrolled Act 1257 in the wake of the report.

“We saw the need to put guidelines in statute ensuring fair and equal distribution of grant funds to all qualified veterans in need of assistance,” Frye said. “This legislation puts guardrails in place to ensure the fund is handled with accountability and transparency.”

Frye said employees of the Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs have to submit their requests for assistance from the fund to the Indiana Veteran’s Affairs Commission, which consists of seven members appointed by the governor.

The new law going into effect on July 1, 2019 also caps the Military Family Relief Fund benefits at $2,500. The amount could be higher in rare cases, Frye said, with approval from the commission.

The state would be required to approve or deny a Military Family Relief Fund application within 60 days.

The Military Family Relief Fund is a dedicated fund that receives money through donations and the purchase of veteran license plates.

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