Financial Assistance is sponsored by Army Emergency Relief. Financial Assistance from Army Emergency Relief (AER) provides zero-interest loans and grants to help Army Soldiers and their families during financial hardships.

Assistance Programs - Army Emergency Relief Financial Assistance Programs Zero-Interest Loans and Grants All assistance requests are unique and considered on an individual basis.

Natural disaster preparation and evacuation Mortgage, rent and initial deposit Medical co-pays not covered by TRICARE Basic essential furniture Dental care for dependents Non-medical attendant travel Invitational travel order Immigration and passport fees for dependents Special needs medical equipment Spouse relicensing and recertification Childcare (Army Fee Assistance enrollment required) The following individuals are eligible for AER assistance in accordance with Army Regulation 930-4 : Soldiers on active duty and their eligible dependents Soldiers retired for longevity, medical or upon reaching age 60 (reserve component) and their eligible dependents Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers activated on Title 10 orders for more than 30 days and their eligible dependents.

(Find individual state resources here or visit the National Guard Relief Foundation .) Surviving spouses who have not remarried Children of Soldiers who died on active duty or died after reaching retirement eligibility 1. Apply for Financial Assistance Online Eligible applicants can apply for financial assistance anytime, from anywhere, using the Online Assistance Application on a computer or mobile device.

Once submitted , the request is sent to either HQ AER or your nearest AER office based on the ZIP code provided for review and processing. Simply create an account and submit your request to get started. Create an account and submit your request .

2. Visit Your AER Officer Eligible applicants can visit their nearest AER office for assistance. AER Officers are available at many Army installations worldwide.

If there isn’t an Army office within a 50-mile commuting radius, you can still seek help by submitting a request for financial assistance through the Online Assistance Application . Find your nearest office See if you are within 50 miles of an AER office. Already have an existing loan?

Service your loan with a Defense Finance and Accounting Service, online payment or through the mail. Click below to learn more. “I do not know how to thank you enough for the kind gesture and for ensuring transitioning veterans and their Families are taken care of.

Often with transitions comes uncertainty and challenges with adjustments. The AER grant tremendously benefits all veterans who submitted documentation for the Lt. Gen (Retired) Nathaniel R.

Thompson Jr. Career Skills Support Program. ” —retiring noncommissioned officer/Career Skills Support Program recipient Wounded Warrior Assistance Program Soldier for life! Army Wounded Warriors receive personal access to AER assistance.

Applicants located within 50 miles of a military installation should visit the on-base military aid office for a consultation. Applicants not located within 50 miles of an installation should contact their AW2 advocate or AER HQ . Surviving spouses and children of active and retired Soldiers are eligible for financial assistance through AER’s Survivor Assistance Program.

Assistance is provided as grants, and monthly stipends may be available for the most destitute. Learn more about the Survivor Assistance Program Wounded Warrior Comfort Grants Soldiers medically evacuated from hostile fire or imminent danger area, peacekeeping operations or training exercises within CONUS receive immediate financial assistance. A $1,000 grant is provided at the time of hospitalization.

Contact your nearest AER office for more Spouses and children of active and retired Soldiers are eligible for educational scholarship programs. AER provides over $13 million in educational scholarships every year.

Learn more about scholarships Families enrolled in the Army Fee Assistance program are eligible for up to $1,500 in child-care assistance ($500 per month for three months) in addition to assistance provided through the program. Families must be enrolled in Army Fee Assistance and demonstrate valid need through the completion of a budget. Learn more about child-care assistance Retired Lt.

Gen. Nathaniel R. Thompson Jr. Career Skills Support Program Retiring and separating Soldiers in the U.S. Army’s Career Skills Program are eligible for grants ($250 to $1,000 depending on location) to assist with costs and lessen the obstacles that can come with making the military-to-civilian transition.

Learn more about CSP assistance Soldiers with AER loans who are eligible and fulfill the requirements can gain credit toward their loans by: Reviewing and completing the financial training videos within 90 days of the loan creation date Scoring an 80 or higher in the first three attempts on the test in AER’s Loan Portal Specialists/corporals and below can receive up to $200 and sergeants and above can receive up to $100 on their current loan balances.

Credits will not exceed the current balance of the loan. Review the Army’s financial training videos (link will open in a new window) “AER was one of the first organizations that made a direct contribution to my Family after being seriously wounded. AER was right there to make a difference so that we could begin to take on the challenges ahead.

As a 26-year service member, I’ve seen countless times where AER has stood up and taken care of Soldiers, including myself. ” —Retired Col. Gregory Gadson, actor, motivational speaker Gadson is a member of AER’s Board of Managers.

He was serving as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, in 2007 when an IED took both his legs above the knees and he lost the use of his right arm and hand. He continued to serve on active duty and led Fort Belvoir, Virginia’s garrison before retiring. Who is eligible for AER assistance?

Active duty Soldiers and their eligible family members Soldiers retired from active duty because of longevity and their eligible family members Retired Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers receiving retired pay and their eligible family members Medically retired Soldiers and their eligible family members, including those placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List or Temporary Disability Retirement List Surviving spouses and children of Soldiers who died while on active duty (including those on Title 10 Orders) or in an eligible retired status Members of the Army Reserve Component (National Guard and Army Reserve under Title 10 U.S.C) on Active Guard Reserve tours and their eligible family members Members of the Army Reserve Component (National Guard and Army Reserve under Title 10 U.S.C) on continuous Active Duty for more than 30 consecutive days and their eligible family members Any Soldier, regardless of rank, and their eligible military identification card-holding dependents in the categories listed above can seek assistance from AER.

Many states have programs that provide financial assistance to National Guard members on state orders. The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States also offers financial assistance through its National Guard Relief Foundation . Do I have to contribute to AER to receive assistance?

No. All eligible requests will be considered regardless of prior contributions. What can’t AER help with?

Education expenses (AER provides scholarship assistance for spouses and children, however, AER does not provide zero-interest loans for education expenses) Purchase or lease of new or used privately owned vehicles and costs associated (taxes, registration, insurance and transportation) Travel of non-command-sponsored family members from the continental United States to overseas commands Ordinary leave or vacation Liquidation or consolidation of outstanding debts Business ventures or any similar investment Funds to replace those overdrawn from a bank account Civilian court fees, fines, judgments, liens, bail, legal fees and income taxes, except to prevent immediate privation of family members Goods or items for convenience, comfort or luxury Exceptions apply.

Talk to your chain of command nearest AER officer . How long does it take to get assistance from AER? Assistance may be provided same day.

Assistance is always provided within 48 hours.