The Montana Military Family Relief Fund (MMFRF), signed into law in 2007 by Governor Brian Schweitzer provides monetary grants (see below) to families of Montana National Guard and Reserve Component members who on or after April 28, 2007, are on active duty for federal service in a contingency operation.

MMFRF grants (listed below) are intended to help Montana 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.

Donations may be made to this fund by sending them to:

Beginning in 2008, donations will also be accepted through a voluntary check off on Montana individual income tax form. 

Status based grant: flat rate of $250.00 per eligible dependent

The status-based grant offers a flat fee of $250.00 for each eligible dependent to help offset and defray costs associated in relation to the deployment process.

To be eligible for a status-based grant under the Military Family Relief Fund the Grantee must be:

1. A family member of a service member:
   
   • of the Montana National Guard or a Reserve Component as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101.
   • who is a resident of Montana
   • who has served under federal orders in a contingency operation for at least 30 consecutive days.
   • whose pay grade is no higher than O-3 or W-3 at the time of this application.
2. The grant recipient must be a person that has been approved as a dependent of a service member and is enrolled as a dependent in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
3. Must submit a completed and signed application, MMFRF Form 1, for each dependent.
4. Must submit a completed IRS Form W-9 for each dependent to receive payment.

Need-based grant: up to $2,000.00 (maximum)

The need-based grant offers assistance to those families who experience a decrease in household income or a financial hardship during a deployment. If the member’s military income is at least 30% less than their civilian income or a family incurs unexpected or emergency costs this grant can provide up to $2,000.00 to assist the family.

To be eligible for a need-based grant under the Military Family Relief Fund the Grantee must:

1. Must meet all criteria for a status based grant.
2. Must submit a completed and signed application, MMFRF Form 2.
3. Must provide proof that the service member’s monthly military pay and allowances, combined, are at least 30% less than the service members monthly civilian wages or income; or Proof that the service member or a family member is experiencing a significant emergency that warrants financial assistance.

Casualty-based grant: flat rate of $2,000.00

The casualty-based grant offers $2,000.00 to help offset costs of a member who is injured during a contingency operation. The injury must have been sustained in the course of or in relation to combat.

To be eligible for a casualty-based grant under the Military Family Relief Fund the Grantee must be:

1. A service member:
   • of the Montana National Guard or a Reserve Component as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101.
   • who is a resident of Montana
   • who has served under federal orders in a contingency operation for at least 30 consecutive days.
   • who sustained a nonfatal injury in combat or related to combat as a direct result of hostile action.
2. Must submit a completed and signed application, MMFRF Form 3.
3. Provide documentation of Purple Heart Award

To apply for a grant 

1. Attach copies of all required documentation – incomplete applications will be returned
2. All grants awarded on first-come, first-served basis (casualty based grants given top priority)
3. Timeliness of payment will be determined by amount of funds available at time of application
4. Complete appropriate application, sign and date, make a copy for your records, then send the original, signed application to:

Department of Military Affairs
Attn: Director's Office
1956 Mt Majo Street
PO Box 4789
Fort Harrison, MT 59636

Questions? Call the DMA Fiscal Officer at 406-324-3333.