News from Our Partners:  Army Emergency Relief

 

Army Emergency Relief’s singular mission is to provide financial assistance for Active Duty, Retired Soldiers, Surviving Spouses, Active Guard & Reserve Soldiers, and their dependents when they need it most. The most common assistance requests are for basic living expenses such as personal vehicle repair, rent, mortgage, and utilities.
 
Additionally, AER adjusts eligibility and assistance levels to help the entire Army team when they are impacted financially by natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and fires.
 
COVID-19 required a new approach to supporting Soldier and Family needs. We created additional categories of assistance to address critical concerns, such as impacts from the DOD travel ban or stop movement orders, demands arising from spouse loss of income, financial requirements of quarantine, as well as expanding support for Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers activated in response to COVID-19. We are also providing assistance to ARNG & USAR Soldier not activated who are unable to cover their TRICARE and Soldier / Group Life Insurance premiums. For more information or to apply for assistance related to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/covid19/
 
As of May 27, AER has disbursed more than $104K to 55 Retired Soldiers for COVID-19 related requests. Overall, AER has responded to over 200 requests for COVID-19 assistance, providing nearly $400K in financial assistance. Since January, AER has provided over $14M in zero-interest loans and $2M in grants to 8,400 members of the Army team.
 
Due to COVID-19, the Annual Active Duty fundraising campaign was postponed and will resume on July 1, and run through July 30. As a Retired Soldier, you should have received your annual letter about our programs, application process, and donation form. If you would like to make a gift online to support your fellow Soldiers, you can make a donation or set up an allotment at: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate/
 
All Retired Soldiers receiving pay from DFAS are eligible to apply for AER assistance. AER covers needs in over 30 categories, however, if your specific need is not listed  (see https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org), ask your AER Officer to submit your case to AER Headquarters to be considered as an exception to policy. We fully review all requests.
 
Many of global AER’s 70 offices are working remotely. If you have trouble reaching them, fill out an application online available on our website.  You can also receive AER assistance through the American Red Cross (ARC) by calling 1-877-272-7337, then select the option for financial assistance.  ARC will rapidly process your request, however, the dollars that are provided still come from AER.
 
In these uncertain times, know that AER is here to support you and your Family.  Asking for help is a sign of strength, if you are facing financial challenges please do not hesitate to reach out to AER at https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/assistance/
 

 
 
Page last updated on June 17, 2020