- Food
- Rent
- Utilities
- Emergency transportation & vehicle repair
- Funeral expenses
- Medical/dental expenses
- Personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen
Army Emergency Relief (AER), https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/, is a private, non-profit organization established to assist Soldiers and their Family members in emergency financial situations due to no fault of their own. Financial assistance is given in the form of an interest-free loan, grant, or combination of the two. Loans are repaid by an allotment.
AER helps with emergency financial needs in over 30 different assistance categories, to include:
AER partners with other military aid societies to enable local assistance for service members from the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Three ways to apply for AER assistance:
Talk to your chain of command - Your chain of command has the power to approve immediate financial assistance up to $2,000 through the Quick Assist Program. Your chain of command can also refer you to the on-post AER officer. Your chain of command is empowered to help. Just ask!
Visit your AER officer - Any Soldier (active or retired) can visit the AER officer at Army Community Service. No Army post nearby? No problem! Soldiers can visit any military installation and request AER assistance from any military aid society.
Call the American Red Cross - Not located within 50 miles of a military installation? The American Red Cross is authorized to provide financial assistance on behalf of AER. Call the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337 and select the option for financial assistance.
Education Programs
AER also provides scholarships toward education. AER gives spouses and dependent children of Army Soldiers great opportunities for their first undergraduate degree (some scholarships can reach $4,000 annually)! Application information can be found online at https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/scholarships/. For more information, contact the Army Emergency Relief Officer at Army Community Service.
