(1) The applicant is a member of the South Carolina National Guard or a South Carolina resident who is a member of another United States Armed Forces Reserve component, applying on behalf of the applicant’s family, or is a family member of that member. Proof of residency for military members consists of information obtained from DEERS. Proof of a familial relationship also consists of information obtained from DEERS.

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(2) The South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component member was on active military duty for at least thirty consecutive days as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Proof of active duty consists of a copy of the orders issued by an authorized headquarters ordering the member to this duty and documentation showing this duty was actually performed. Eligible active duty includes any active duty since September 11, 2001.

(3) A copy of a payroll record from the member’s civilian employer that indicates member’s monthly salary plus a copy of a military payroll record that indicates the member’s monthly salary.

(4) Proof that the military salary, including Basic Allowance for Housing, of the member has decreased by thirty percent or greater from the applicant’s civilian salary.

(5) Proof that the member or family member has incurred or is about to incur a specific monetary expense relating to clothing, food, housing, utilities, medical services, medical prescriptions, insurance or vehicle payments. This proof includes, but is not limited to, a copy of a bill, invoice, estimate, cancellation notice, or any other similar record.

(6) A signed statement that the grant request is for the purpose identified in the application and that the grant funds will be used for the purposes requested.

(7) The South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3, if a commissioned officer, or W-2, if a warrant officer. Individuals or families are eligible for the grant based upon rank at the time of the mobilization. Proof of pay grades consists of information obtained from DEERS.

(8) If a custodial parent or guardian is applying for a grant on behalf of a member’s dependent, then the custodial parent or guardian must provide proof of guardianship of a member’s dependent currently enrolled in DEERS.

(9) The department may waive the requirements in subsection (A)(4) upon a written request indicating the circumstances justifying such a waiver, and upon proof that there has in fact been some decrease from the member’s civilian salary. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, death, injury, or incapacity of the member, long-term deployment of the member, and unexpected expenses incurred by the member’s family. The department may use discretion in granting or denying these requests.

(B) The following members are ineligible to receive grants:

(1) all commissioned and warrant officers with pay grades of O-4 and W-3, or higher;

(2) personnel serving in Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) or similar full-time unit support programs unless called to Title 10 service;

(3) members who are unmarried and have no family members enrolled in DEERS;

(4) members who, at any time before the disbursement of funds pursuant to a grant application under this section, receive a punitive discharge, or an administrative discharge with service characterized as Under Other Than Honorable Conditions.