Governor John Bel Edwards shared in his Second Inaugural Address that Louisiana has 491 men and women in the Louisiana National Guard and Air National Guard currently deployed overseas.  You may not know that, over the next twelve months, more than 2,000 Louisiana soldiers and airmen will deploy to the Middle East.  We are so grateful for these military service members and pray daily with their families for their safe return.  

While these brave men and women are serving our country overseas, we do not forget the strength it takes their families to serve here at home.  Our Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) administers the Louisiana Military Family Assistance (MFA) Fund, which provides grants to eligible military service members and their families who demonstrate certain types of financial need. The Louisiana Legislature originally established the MFA Fund in 2005 to help members of the Louisiana National Guard and Louisiana Military Reserves and their families address financial hardships encountered while on active duty status.  Still today, this fund covers the cost of a bus trip home for National Guardsmen and women to see their loved ones one last time before they deploy. 

In 2016, the MFA Fund opened up to serve all eligible Louisiana service members, veterans and their families.  Today it serves as a fund of last resort, helping to meet immediate needs such as mortgage and utility bills, some medical services and other essential expenses creating documented financial hardships for veterans.  The MFA board meets each month to approve awards up to $10,000 per year for a veteran. 

The MFA Fund is a state treasury fund, but is funded solely by donations (no taxpayer dollars). 

Please visit www.vetaffairs.la.gov/how-to-help/ to donate today.

To apply for assistance, visit  https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/benefit/military-family-assistance-fund/.   

Thank you for supporting Louisiana veterans and their families.