(1) PROGRAM PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance and services to eligible servicemembers of the Florida National Guard and eligible members of their families. The program shall be administered by the Department of Military Affairs. The department may be assisted in the processing of applications and the administration of the program by the direct-support organization authorized under s. 250.115. (2) FUNDING.—The program shall be implemented through funding provided by the direct-support organization.
(3) AUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE.—The assistance available under the program may include:(a) Housing.—The program may provide housing assistance. Housing assistance includes assistance with emergency repairs, renovations, or replacements that are needed for a servicemember’s primary residential property in order to address health or safety issues or meet disability needs. Housing assistance also includes assistance with lease deposits, mortgage payments, and rent payments.
(b) Living expenses.—The program may provide assistance for living expenses that are reasonable and necessary to meet basic needs for eligible members of the Florida National Guard and eligible members of their families. Living expenses include expenses for clothing, groceries, utility services, motor vehicle fuel and transportation, insurance, and child care that is necessary in order to obtain or maintain employment.
(c) Vehicles.—The program may provide assistance for repairs or short-term rentals required to maintain the primary vehicle of a servicemember’s family in a safe operating condition. If a repair will not restore the primary vehicle to a safe operating condition, or if there is no vehicle, assistance with the purchase of a vehicle may be provided if such a vehicle is necessary.
(d) Health care.—The program may provide assistance for services that are documented by a medical authority as necessary for the health and welfare of the individual. Assistance is not available for elective procedures or medical care that is covered by insurance.
(e) Other services.—The program may provide assistance for a service or expense that is not specifically enumerated in this subsection if the service or expense is reasonable under the circumstances.
(4) ELIGIBILITY.—(a) Persons eligible for assistance from the program include servicemembers who are members of the Florida National Guard who are traditional drilling guardsmen on state active duty or on Title 32 United States Code duty, who otherwise do not qualify for the assistance programs available to servicemembers serving under Title 10 United States Code, and who demonstrate valid financial need, and their eligible beneficiaries, and such persons are authorized to apply for and receive financial assistance from the program, as administered by the Florida National Guard Foundation’s board of directors and its governing bylaws, contingent upon the availability of funds.
(b) As used in this subsection, the term “beneficiary” means the current spouse, dependent children, or other beneficiaries as designated in the servicemember’s service component records.
(5) REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE; REVIEW; AWARDS.—(a) A request for assistance must be reviewed, processed, and approved by the Florida National Guard Foundation’s board of directors.
(b) Requests for assistance must be reviewed and evaluated based on the following criteria:1. The impact of a servicemember’s financial situation and inability to provide quality of life and other qualifying life-impacting family needs;
2. The assistance authorized under the program; and
3. Any other consideration dictated in the bylaws of the Florida National Guard Foundation.
(6) FINANCIAL REVIEW.—The financial committee of the board of directors of the direct-support organization shall review financial transactions of the program each quarter. The board of directors must also ensure an annual external audit is completed and published on the publicly available website of the direct-support organization. This audit must be provided to the Department of Military Affairs in order to determine whether the direct-support organization is being operated in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, and in the best interests of the department. The financial committee may request the Office of Inspector General to conduct additional reviews.
(7) ANNUAL BYLAW REVIEW.—The Florida National Guard Foundation’s board of directors shall annually review the bylaws that govern the program. This review shall be provided in a report to the Department of Military Affairs and subject to approval by the Adjutant General.
