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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Individuals filing their 2018 state personal income taxes can help Pennsylvania&#8217;s military personnel and their families by donating part or all of their refund to the state&#8217;s Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP).</p><p>The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), provides grants of up to $3,500 to Pennsylvania members of the armed forces and their families who have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control. The tax form includes instructions on how to donate.</p><p>&#8220;Generous Pennsylvanians have continually answered the call for help to assist our needy commonwealth service members and families by contributing to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program,&#8221; said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania&#8217;s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. &#8220;The selfless act of checking this block on your tax form can provide significant relief for a military family facing unforeseen financial crisis.&#8221;</p><p>Examples of how the grants helped service members in 2017-18:</p><p>&#8226; A service member&#8217;s basement flooded from a broken sewer line, and the line needed to be replaced. The repairs from these damages cost $7,200. The service member has a spouse and six children to provide for, and this unexpected expense created a financial crisis for the family. The service member was awarded a grant for $3,500 to help with repairs.</p><p>&#8226; A service member had severe flood damages to the family&#8217;s home, and the insurance had denied the claim. The repairs from this flooding were $3,507, which created a financial setback for the family. The service member received a grant for $3,500.</p><p>&#8226; A service member needed to travel to another state due to the death of a family member and was unable to afford the costs of this travel. Costs were covered with a grant of $1,121.</p><p>Since the program began in 2006, more than $1.85 million has been donated by individuals filing their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns and through private donations.</p><p>&#8220;Qualifying service members should not hesitate to apply for the MFRAP program. It exists specifically to take care of our service members and families as a &#8216;thank you&#8217; for their service and sacrifice,&#8221; said Carrelli. &#8220;For anyone needing assistance, the DMVA is available to assist with the application process.&#8221;</p><p>In addition to the check-off box on the personal income tax form, contributions can be made directly by sending a check to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, c/o Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Bldg. 0-47 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.</p><p>Donations are tax deductible to the extent authorized by federal law.</p><p>To learn more about this program, visit www.mfrap.pa.gov.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Carrelli </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_PA-Adjutant-General-Tony-Carrelli.jpg</photo0><caption0>Carrelli </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Tax time offers opportunity to help Pennsylvania’s military families