Assistance for Connecticut's Wartime Veterans

The Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund was established to assist wartime veterans and their families in the State of Connecticut. Eligible veterans and their families can receive financial assistance, certain medical examinations, and funeral expenses support. The assistance is temporary in nature.

Benefits are administered by and governed under the American Legion Department of Connecticut.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for benefits, the veteran must:

  • Demonstrate need for assistance.
  • Be a Connecticut resident at the time of application and while receiving assistance. Eligible children and spouses must also be residing with the veteran.
  • Have serviced a minimum of 90 days on active duty during a wartime period, unless discharged prior to the completion of 90 days for a service-connected disability which has been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Have been honorably discharged from military service.

Members of the armed forces may still qualify for benefits if they served for the full duration of a conflict in a combat or combat-support role if the conflict lasted fewer than 90 days.

In addition to the above criteria, service between the following dates is required:

World War II 12/7/1941 12/31/1946
Korean Conflict 6/27/1950 1/31/1955
Vietnam Era 2/28/1961 7/1/1975
Persian Gulf Era 8/2/1990 Present
Lebanon 7/1/1958 11/1/1958
Lebanon 9/29/1982 3/30/1984
Grenada 10/25/1983 12/15/1983
Operation Earnest Will 2/1/1987 7/23/1987
Panama 12/20/1989 1/31/1990

Types of services and supports that can be used for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund

Services include:

  • Durable medical equipment
  • Funeral expenses
  • Eyeglasses and eye examinations
  • Hearing aids and audiological examinations
  • Emergency dental care
  • Assistance with rental or mortgage interest payments, utilities or medical expenses

Apply

Application begins by contacting a local designated Fund Representative or Veterans Aid Investigator, or by contacting a local American Legion Post.

The application must be signed by the veteran or, in the event the veteran is unable to, it may be signed by the veteran’s spouse, parent, guardian, adult child or a person holding Power of Attorney or Conservatorship.

To complete the application, the veteran must sign a Release of Information form and provide the following documents:

  • Certificate of honorable termination of military service
  • Connecticut Photo ID
  • Social Security Number
  • Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
  • Birth Certificates for minor children
  • Death Certificate (if applicable)
  • Documentation of income and liquid assets
  • Documentation of assistance being provided by the Department of Social Services or non-profit or charitable entities

The Fund Representative will provide guidance and assistance with the preparation of the application.

Find a Fund Representative Near You