Veterans deserve our utmost respect for the sacrifices they made to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Their transition from active duty to civilian life can often be difficult, especially with finding a new career and stable housing. Indiana offers programs and services that can help veterans who may be struggling to make ends meet or provide for their families this holiday season.
Indiana's Operation Holiday Program can help veterans by providing $300 per dependent child in a household and $200 per household toward a holiday meal. Applications are due by Dec. 30, and must be submitted at in.gov/dav or by calling 317-232-3910.
Operation Holiday Program is part of the Indiana Military Family Relief Fund, which provides year-round grants for veterans who are struggling to pay for necessities like housing, utilities, food, health care and transportation. This fund has been a lifeline for countless former service members and their families. Find out more about these services or make a donation by visiting the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs website at in.gov/dva and click on "Military Family Relief Fund."
Indiana's free and confidential hotline, 211, can be used by anyone who needs to connect to assistance for food, finances, utilities and housing close to home. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and also has a website at in211.org.
There are also County Veterans Service Offices in all 92 Indiana counties. These officers collaborate with the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and various veteran service organizations to be a local point of contact for service members and their families who need assistance. A county-by-county guide is available online at in.gov/dva/locate-your-cvso.
There are numerous other state benefits available for Hoosier veterans and their families, from medical care and residential housing to property tax deductions and tuition support. A complete list can be found on the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs website. For those seeking a job following their service, INvets is a nonprofit organization that connects veterans to employers and career training. Learn more at invets.org.
This holiday season, let's take time to remember our military veterans for their commitment to this great country and reach out to those who may be struggling this holiday season and beyond. If you or someone you know needs help navigating state resources, please can contact my office at 317-232-9981 or h65@iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65, which includes all of
Lawrence County, and portions of Jackson, Orange and Washington counties.
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