Veterans' Cash

The first specialty lottery ticket for veterans, Winter Winnings, was launched in 2006, and is the first lottery game in the United States to designate 100 percent of net proceeds to veterans. The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs awards these funds in the form of cash grants. On a quarterly basis, IDVA's Cash Grant Committee accepts and reviews applications from veterans organizations that address job placement and training, disability benefits, PTSI research and treatment, homelessness, and long-term care.

For more information about the Illinois Lottery, please visit www.illinoislottery.com.

Eligibility is open to Government agencies, not-for-profits, veterans' organizations and tax-exempt entities currently providing veterans' assistance or wishing to expand to veterans' assistance. Grants to individuals are not awarded under this program. Organizations that provide services in the following six categories are encouraged to apply for a Veterans' Cash grant:

• Health insurance costs
• Long-term care
• Post-traumatic stress disorder research or treatment
• Disability benefits
• Homelessness
• Job placement and training

GETTING STARTED: Please read "New Grant Requirements and Process Changes Document before proceeding. Changes to Federal and State Grant Requirements.pdf

PLEASE NOTE - all grants administered by the Department are subject to available funding. For the Funding Opportunities, click here: FY23 IDVA NOFO.pdf

To apply for the Veterans' Cash Grant please click on the links below:   

• FY23 IDVA Grant Application.pdf 
• FY23 IDVA Budget.pdf

Applicants may contact the Veterans' Cash Grant Administrator (Veterans' Cash Administrator) with questions regarding the application and budget.

Congratulations, you have been awarded a Veterans' Cash Grant. Please follow the instructions below to register with the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Portal: Grantee Portal.

Grantees may contact the GATA unit (GATU) or OMB.GATA@illinois.gov or their state granting agency with questions regarding registration.

To see a list of previous grant awards, click on the link below:  https://gata.illinois.gov/grants/csfa.html

Veteran advocates can show their support for our men and women who have served by contributing directly to the Veterans Assistance program. To facilitate this process, you may write a check to the Veterans Assistance Fund and mail it to directly to IDVA. Click here for the Mail-In Donation Form (DONATION FORM.docx ).

All contributions to the Veterans' Assistance Fund will be granted by the Veterans' Cash Grant Committee to help Illinois veterans in the following areas of need: post-traumatic stress, homelessness, long-term care, disability benefits, health insurance costs, and employment assistance. Grants are awarded to qualifying public and non-profit organizations directly serving veterans in these areas.