Army Emergency Relief is there for Soldiers and their Families when financial emergencies arise. They offer zero-interest loans and grants. AER can assist with non-receipt of pay, loss of funds, funeral expenses, PCS costs, food, rent, utilities, and essential privately owned vehicle repair. They cannot provide loans for ordinary leave or vacations, fines and legal fees, debt payments, or bad checks.
The military’s emergency loan program helps Airmen with financial crises by providing zero-interest loans and grants. AER officers work at more than 70 Army installations worldwide and offer a variety of types of assistance, from fast-cash Falcon Loans to grants that pay for essential expenses. The money can be used for anything from home repairs and mortgages to food, car loans, funeral costs, and basic utilities. Almost all active-duty and retired soldiers, their spouses, and dependents qualify for AER help. That includes Gold Star spouses and children, medical retirees, and members of the Guard and Reserve who have been activated for more than 30 days.
The organization aims to fulfill the Army Creed of leaving no soldier behind on the battlefield and in everyday life. AER’s leaders say they have seen a rise in requests for help due to the nearly constant military deployments and economic challenges. In addition, the death of a Soldier has left families with financial gaps while waiting to receive benefits.
The organization offers money for emergencies such as rent and utility payments, car repair, funeral costs, food, natural disaster preparations, and appliances. It also gives grants for essential items such as cranial helmets and child car seats.It doesn’t covers anything that could be considered nonessential, such as vacations, and it does not help with fines or legal fees or cover bad checks.
Eligibility
Eligibility isn’t difficult to meet – almost all active-duty servicemembers qualify, including medical retirees and their families; widows and orphans of soldiers killed on duty or after retirement; and Guard and Reserve members who have been activated for at least 30 days during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wounded Warriors can get personal access to AER assistance through the Quick Assist Program, which gives company commanders and first sergeants the authority to approve short-term financial assistance within specific guidelines. Otherwise, they can visit on-base military aid offices within 50 miles of an installation contact their AW2 program advocate or AER headquarters.
Other military service relief organizations, such as the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, may also be able to provide assistance in some cases. For more information, visit those organization’s websites to learn more about eligibility requirements.
AER Scholarship
The Army Emergency Relief scholarship is a needs-based award program that may be used by children of active duty, retired or deceased Army Soldiers to obtain their first undergraduate degree. The program offers assistance for up to four academic years, with reapplication required each year. The amount awarded varies from year to year, depending on the number of applicants, total approved scholarship budget, and average university attendance cost. The scholarship was established in honor of Maj. Gen. James Ursano who retired from the Army in 1976 and served as AER’s director for 10 years until his death in 1996.
AER provides financial assistance to active-duty and retired Soldiers, their spouses, and surviving children through zero-interest loans, grants, and scholarships. AER was incorporated in 1942 and is the Army’s own private, nonprofit organization, “Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own.” AER embodies the enduring priorities of Secretary of War Henry Stimson and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Marshall by relieving undue financial stress on the force. If you need help, contact your chain of command or an AER office near you. The office will refer you to your AW2 advocate or AER headquarters for more information. AER also offers immediate financial assistance through the Quick Assist program.