Emergency Financial Assistance
Emergency Financial Assistance![line](B01/B0101/B0101_J/B0101_J_images/orange_underline.gif)
Deployment can put a financial strain on families of service members. Financial assistance can come in several forms: allowances, loan privileges, tax relief, even emergency assistance from the Red Cross and other nonprofit agencies.
Click on the links below to learn more about how you can get emergency financial assistance:
- Red Cross Emergency Services
- Other Nonprofit Organizations: Army Emergency Relief and Air Force Aid Society
- Allowances
- Loan Privileges and Debt Relief
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Red Cross Emergency Services
Guard and Reserves members and retirees may access emergency financial assistance through their local Red Cross chapters. The Red Cross, in partnership with Army Emergency Relief, the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, and the Air Force Aid Society, provides financial assistance for emergency travel that requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved one, or matters that cannot wait until the next business day. This emergency financial assistance will cover food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shutoff, and other occurrences. Read about the Red Cross emergency financial assistance.
Other Red Cross services for inactive and active members of the Reserves and National Guard include:
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Nonprofit Organizations: Army Emergency Relief and Air Force Aid Society
Army Emergency Relief (AER) and Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) funds are also available for emergency financial assistance to Guard members — active and retired — and their dependents whenever a valid need exists. Both incorporated in 1942, these are non-profit organizations that have provided assistance to generations of service members. Their mission is to help service members and their dependents during times of difficulty with funds administered in part through their commanders. These programs are supported each year by substantial personal contributions made by the active force. All funds are used solely for emergency assistance. Visit the Army Emergency Relief Web site and Air Force Society Aid Web site for details on the range of assistance available.
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Allowances
Make sure you are taking advantage of all the allowances for which you are entitled. Click on Allowances in the Topics menu to read about each allowance. Remember, allowances are non-taxable income. A review of allowances is shown in the table below.
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Loan Privileges and Debt Relief
There are several programs available to service members to assist with loans and debt relief. Click on Loan and Debt Relief in the Topics menu to read about each allowance. For a brief overview of available programs, see the table below.
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