ORS 408.500 Oregon Veterans’ Emergency Financial Assistance Program; rules

The Oregon Veterans’ Emergency Financial Assistance Program is created.

The purpose of the program is to provide emergency financial assistance to Oregon veterans and their immediate families for needs that include but are not limited to:

Emergency or temporary housing and related housing expenses, such as expenses for utilities, insurance, house repairs, rent assistance or food;

Emergency medical or dental expenses;

Emergency transportation;

Expenses related to starting a business, such as business licenses or occupational licenses;

Temporary income after military discharge; and

Legal assistance.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall administer the program created under subsection (1) of this section and shall adopt rules implementing the program, including but not limited to establishing procedures for applying for emergency financial assistance and criteria for determining eligibility to receive emergency financial assistance.

As used in this section:

“Immediate family” means a spouse, unremarried surviving spouse, child or stepchild.

“Veteran” means:

A veteran as defined in ORS 408.225;

A person who is a member of the Oregon National Guard who has been demobilized after serving on federal active duty for more than 30 days; or

A person who is an Oregon resident, is a member of the Reserves and has been demobilized after serving on federal active duty for more than 30 days.