Temporary emergency financial and physical assistance for Nacogdoches veterans in crisis.

Mission & Purpose

The American Legion Post 86 Benevolence Fund exists to provide short-term, emergency assistance to local veterans and their families who are facing temporary financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances.

Our goal is to serve as a “bridge” during a crisis
—keeping the lights on, the water running, or the rent paid—
while the veteran gets back on their feet.

Please Note: This fund is donor-supported and limited.
Assistance is granted based on the urgency of the need, the availability of funds, and the approval of the Benevolence Committee.

A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out

Need Help?

You are not alone. If you are a veteran in Nacogdoches County facing a crisis, reach out to us.

Contact Benevolence Committee

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for financial benevolence from Post 86, an applicant generally must meet the following baseline requirements:

Veteran Status: Must be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with an Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge. (Active Duty personnel stationed locally are also eligible).
Residency: Must be a permanent resident of Nacogdoches County.
Legal Standing: To protect the integrity of the Post and its funds, assistance is strictly disqualified for individuals who:
- Have been convicted of a felony.
- Are currently on probation.
- Are currently on trial or awaiting trial for criminal charges.
Financial Hardship: Must be able to demonstrate a specific, temporary financial crisis (e.g., job loss, medical emergency, natural disaster) rather than a chronic inability to meet expenses.
Documentation: Must be willing to provide a DD-214 and proof of the specific bill/debt in question.

Note: Membership in the American Legion is NOT required to apply
for aid, though we encourage all eligible veterans to join our ranks.

What We Cover
(Scope of Assistance)

✅ We CAN typically assist with:

Utility termination notices (Water, Electric, Gas).
Rent or Mortgage payments to prevent immediate eviction/foreclosure.
Emergency food or fuel assistance.
Our funds are paid directly to the creditor (landlord, utility company, etc.), never to the individual.
Minor emergency home repairs (via our Physical Works Party).

❌ We generally do NOT cover:

Legal Costs: We absolutely do not provide funds for bail, legal defense fees, court costs, or fines.
Credit card bills or personal loans.
Cable TV, Internet, or non-essential subscriptions.
Chronic, long-term debts where one-time aid will not solve the underlying problem.
Hotel/Motel costs (unless part of a specific disaster relief effort).

Important Disclaimers

One-Time Assistance: To ensure we can help as many veterans as possible, financial aid is typically limited to one instance per 12-month period.
Confidentiality: All requests are handled with strict privacy. Your personal situation will not be shared outside the review committee.
Zero Tolerance: Any applicant found to be providing false documents or misrepresenting their situation will be permanently disqualified from future assistance.

Other Community Resources

If Post 86 is unable to assist, or if your needs fall outside our scope, we recommend contacting these local and national agencies:

Nacogdoches County Veteran Service Officer: (936) 560-7780 (Assistance with claims and county benefits).
Texas Veterans Commission (Claims & Assistance): 1-800-252-8387.
Texas 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 (24/7 confidential help finding local resources for food, housing, and health).
Christian Crisis Center (Nacogdoches): (936) 560-2560 (Food pantry and shelter assistance).

In Emotional Crisis?

Financial stress can be overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out immediately.

Dial 988 then Press 1
Text 838255
Confidential • Free • Available 24/7
Post 86 Chaplain
- Call: (936) 205-2230 ext. 8
- Email: chaplain@naclegion86.com

Application Process

Step 1: Mandatory Screening Before applying for Post funds, you must first contact the Post 86 Service Officer (who also serves as the Nacogdoches County Veteran Service Officer).
- The Service Officer will verify veteran status and need.
- Contact: Call (936) 560-7780 to speak with the County Service Officer.
Step 2: Contact the Benevolence Committee Once you have met with the Service Officer and received clearance to proceed, you must then contact the Post 86 Benevolence Committee directly to submit your request.
- call: (936) 205-2230
  - Please leave a brief message with your name, branch of service, and the nature of your emergency.
- email: Benevolence@naclegion86.com
- Fill out the Open Transmission Form
Step 3: Documentation Review benevolence committee will conduct a brief interview. You will need to present:
- DD-214 (Member 4 Copy showing discharge status).
- Photo ID (Driver’s License or VA Card).
- Proof of Residency in Nacogdoches County.
- The Bill/Invoice you need assistance with.
  - Must be current and in the veteran’s name.
Step 4: Committee Decision The Benevolence Committee reviews applications confidentially. Decisions are made based on the “Three M’s”:
- Merit: Is the request valid and honest?
- Means: Does the Post currently have the funds available?
- Mission: Does this assistance help stabilize a veteran’s life?

Want to Support This Fund?

Our ability to help local veterans depends entirely on the generosity of our community.
100% of donations to the Benevolence Fund go directly to veteran aid.

Donate to the Benevolence Fund

Veteran Benevolence