43 Pa. Code § 11.4 – Application procedures.

(a) Forms. Application shall be made on the PA MFRAP Form 01. Application forms are available from the following sources:
1. (1) The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Attention: PIRO-MFRAP, Building 9-26, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania 17003-5002, or from the department’s program web site at www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/MilitaryFamilyReliefAssistanceProgram.aspx.
2. (2) Pennsylvania National Guard Family Assistance Centers across this Commonwealth. Applicants, regardless of branch of service, are encouraged to request assistance from the nearest Pennsylvania National Guard family readiness specialist to complete and submit the application form. To locate the nearest family readiness specialist, see www.pa.ng.mil/Offices-Programs/Service- Member-Family-Support/State-Family-Programs/Family-Assistance/.
3. (3) Accredited VSOs at the county offices of veterans affairs in each county seat.
4. (4) The department’s field offices collocated with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Offices in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
5. (5) Accredited VSOs affiliated with The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Veterans (AMVETS), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in this Commonwealth.
6. (6) Accredited VSOs at the Pennsylvania Veterans Homes in Erie, Hollidaysburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton and Spring City.
(b) Completion and execution of the form. An applicant shall complete and sign the application form, certifying to the truthfulness of its contents under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities). If the applicant is unable to sign the application, a person exercising general power of attorney may sign for the applicant. An eligible service member’s commanding officer or senior noncommissioned officer/senior enlisted leader must verify the information provided and recommend approval or disapproval.
(c) Supporting documentation. An applicant shall submit the following documents with the application form:
1. (1) Copy of current Pennsylvania driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification card, or other acceptable proof of residency as requested.
2. (2) Copy of the eligible service member’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or equivalent, or copy of current military identification card as appropriate.
3. (3) Proof of dependency if applicable.
4. (4) Copy of the service member’s most current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).
5. (5) Documentation supporting the exigent circumstances and need for assistance, such as repair estimates, rental agreements, utility bills, bank statements, employment records, and the like.
(d) Submission of application.
1. (1) An applicant shall mail or otherwise deliver the completed application form, together with supporting documentation, to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Attn: PIRO-MFRAP, Bldg. 9-26, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002.
2. (2) To expedite the application process, applications and supporting documents may be faxed to (717) 861-9084. Questions and requests for support may be e-mailed to ra-pa-mfrap@pa.gov. Applicants should refrain from sending completed applications or other sensitive and personally identifiable information by e-mail.
(e) Withdrawal of application. An applicant my voluntarily withdraw an application for any reason at any time prior to the determination of eligibility by informing the assisting family readiness specialist, VSO or the bureau of a desire to withdraw.
(f) Other assistance.
1. (1) To qualify for assistance under this program, applicants are encouraged to seek assistance from other appropriate sources prior to applying for the program. Other suggested sources of financial assistance include, but are not limited to any of the following:
  1. (i) Army Emergency Relief, www.armyemergencyrelief.org.
  2. (ii) Air Force Aid Society, www.afas.org (Air Force and Space Force).
  3. (iii) Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, www.nmcrs.org.
  4. (iv) Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, www.cgmahq.org.
  5. (v) Pennsylvania National Guard Associations, www.pngas.org/mission/g2g.
  6. (vi) Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, www.eangus.org/operation-vetcare.
  7. (vii) Non Commissioned Officers Association, www.ncoausa.org/disasterrelief.html.
  8. (viii) Military Officers Association of America, https://charities.moaa.org/the-moaa-foundation/crf/.
  9. (ix) American Red Cross, www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/financial-assistance.
  10. (x) Veterans of Foreign Wars, https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants.
2. (2) Veterans and their surviving dependents may also be eligible for Veterans’ Temporary Assistance (VTA) in accordance with criteria at 51 Pa.C.S. § 8503 (relating to eligibility). However, as explained further in § 11.6(a) (relating to administration procedures), program assistance may not be granted concurrently with VTA to address a need arising out of the same event.
3. (3) The application for program assistance should include copies of applications or determinations, or both, for other forms of assistance filed by the applicant.
4. (4) The approval authorities described in § 11.6(b) may waive any requirement to seek assistance from other sources when unusual or exigent circumstances make the application impractical or unlikely to produce results in a timely manner or when the applicant shows that the circumstances are such that other potential sources of assistance are unavailable.