Every single member of the American Legion Auxiliary makes a difference in the lives of our country’s veterans, military, and their families simply by holding membership in this organization.
 
When the ALA was founded in 1919, it wasn’t uncommon to have a connection to the military through multiple family members. At that time, there were over 3 million members of the Armed Forces. Today, there are approximately 1.2 million. 
 
Less members of the military unfortunately equals less connections people have that could make them eligible for ALA membership. 
 
In 2018, The American Legion opened its eligibility. Since the Legion’s founding in 1919, membership had been open only to veterans of World War I, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Lebanon/Grenada, Panama, and Gulf War/War on Terrorism. 
 
The Legion’s National Executive Committee in 2018 passed a resolution to call on Congress to declare that the United States has been continuously engaged in a state of war from Dec. 7, 1941, to the present. 
 
The bill passed and expanded eligibility for membership in The American Legion to veterans and servicemembers who served any time after that date, including those currently serving. Because of that change, more family members became eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. 
 
A closer look at the IRS classification 
The ALA was an all-women organization until 2019 when the Legion changed the language “wife” to “spouse” to allow male spouses. 
 
The IRS makes the determination regarding degrees from the veteran allowed to be a member of a VSO auxiliary.
 
The American Legion Auxiliary’s membership eligibility is determined by The American Legion; however, The American Legion’s determination of the ALA’s membership eligibility must also fit within the confines of the IRS definition of a 501(c)(19) veterans service organization auxiliary. 
 
The American Legion Auxiliary is classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(19) Veterans’ Organization.
 
To be exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(19), an organization must be either:
• a post or organization of past or present members of the United States Armed Forces
• an auxiliary unit or society of such post or organization
• or a trust or foundation for such post or organization 
 
The IRS defines eligibility within two degrees of consanguinity (blood relation). 
 
Back in 2019, The American Legion reviewed the eligibility of the American Legion Auxiliary and determined that allowing direct descendants (more than two degrees) was not in compliance with the IRS definition. Therefore, the eligibility requirements were changed to allow only granddaughters as the furthest allowable relationship. 
 
Official Terms: Requirements for ALA Membership
Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary is limited to:
 
(1) grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion; and
 
(2) grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who served in either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918 and any time after Dec. 7, 1941 who, being a citizen of the United States at the time of their entry therein served on active duty in the Armed Forces of any of the governments associated with the United States during either eligibility periods and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge;
 
(3) grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of all 
men and women who were in the Armed Forces of the United States during either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to Nov, 11, 1918; and any time after Dec. 7, 1941 who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States during either eligibility periods and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge; and
 
(4) to those women who of their own right are eligible for membership in The American Legion.*
 
*A woman who is eligible for American Legion membership is eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary regardless of whether or not she is a member of The American Legion. However, eligibility of her female relatives (sister, mother, direct descendants) and/or spouse depends upon her membership in The American Legion.