Request Assistance

🇺🇸 Operation First Response

For 22 years, Operation First Response has stood beside our Nation’s Heroes — offering a lifeline of hope to Active-Duty Service Members, Disabled Veterans, and First Responders in times of unexpected crisis.

We understand that asking for help is never easy. Every request we receive is reviewed with care, respect, and confidentiality.

Operation First Response provides emergency financial assistance to:

– Active-Duty Service Members who are wounded, injured, or critically ill
– Disabled Veterans with a 50% or higher VA disability rating
– First Responders including: Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMS Personnel, and 911 Dispatchers
– Families of Fallen Heroes may also apply for limited assistance on a case-by-case basis

If you do not meet one of the categories above, please contact United Way (dial 2-1-1).

❌ OFR Does NOT Provide Assistance For:

Credit Card Payments

Taxes

Child Support

Hotel Expenses

Title Loans

Personal Loans

Home Repairs

How Our Process Works:

To ensure we can continue serving Heroes nationwide, OFR now accepts a limited number of applications each month.

– Applications open twice per month — on the 1st and 3rd Friday — and remain open for 48 hours (Friday–Sunday)
– 10 families are selected during each cycle based on the urgency and severity of need
– All applicants will receive a follow-up email within several days
– If we are unable to assist during the current cycle, you will receive a Resource Guide with other organizations that may be able to help
– You may reapply during future open windows if your situation remains critical

Before You Apply:

Please carefully review the following qualifications:
– You must meet one of the eligible service categories listed above
– You must have documentation verifying your situation (e.g., eviction notice, utility shutoff, medical bill, proof of service)
– You must provide a valid email address and phone number
– You must not have received assistance from OFR within the last 12 months

When Applications Open:

Next Open Window: [Friday, November 7, 2025]

Applications are only accepted during open windows. When the form is closed, this page will display a notice reading:
“Operation First Response has reached our capacity for this cycle. Please check back on the next opening date.”

Important Reminders:

Submitting an application does not guarantee assistance.

Each request is personally reviewed by the OFR Team.

OFR’s ability to assist depends on available funding and the urgency of your situation.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please contact your local emergency services or 9-1-1 immediately

💬 A Note from Our Team

We are a small team with limited funding. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist every family that contacts us but we are continually working to expand our resources and reach more Veterans and First Responders in need.

We deeply appreciate your trust and patience as we serve our Nation’s Heroes.

How to Apply:

When applications are open:
Click the button below that matches your category:

OPERATION FIRST RESPONSE HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICES TO ANYONE DURING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:

When a requestor has been or is being disrespectful to our staff.

When a requestor is openly showing signs of being intoxicated and is causing unnecessary disturbances with our staff.

When the requestor is yelling, screaming or using foul language while working with our staff.