Operation Back to School returns for 3rd year

Indiana military families can get $500 for back-to-school needs

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs announces that the Military Family Relief Fund Operation Back to School program is now open for applicants. 

The program, now in its third year, provides financial assistance to Indiana veteran families experiencing financial difficulty, offering $500 per qualified dependent for back-to-school supplies and other school-related expenses. Families could begin applying on Monday, and the application period closes Aug. 30.

“The financial challenges of preparing for a new school year can be overwhelming, especially for veteran families trying to make ends meet on an everyday basis,” said Dennis Wimer, director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. “Operation Back to School is our way of offering tangible assistance through the Military Family Relief Fund to ensure children have the tools they need to succeed, and veterans receive the support they deserve."

Eligible dependents include those attending kindergarten through 12th grade (up to 18 years of age) and full-time college students (up to 23 years of age) who reside in the veteran’s home.

To apply, families must provide the following documentation:

• DD-214
• Proof of income
• Bank statement
• Proof of child’s residency
• Proof of child’s dependency

Operation Back to School is exclusively for veteran families experiencing financial difficulty who reside in Indiana, have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and possess a discharge in the form of a DD-214 or National Guard Bureau Form 22.

The Operation Back to School application and more information about the program can be found at https://www.in.gov/dva/about-idva/links/military-family-relief-fund/.