STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Nationwide. Assistance is available to eligible Army personnel and family members, including those living outside military installations.

CLIENTS SERVED:

• Active-duty Army soldiers and eligible dependents.
• Army retirees, including medically retired soldiers, and eligible dependents.
• Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers activated on qualifying Title 10 orders for more than 30 days and eligible dependents.
• Surviving spouses who have not remarried and eligible children of deceased soldiers.

DESCRIPTION: Army Emergency Relief (AER) is the official nonprofit organization of the U.S. Army. It provides emergency financial assistance, educational scholarships, and support to eligible soldiers, retirees, and their families experiencing financial hardship. To learn more, read the Frequently Asked Questions: AER FAQs.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS:

• Emergency Financial Assistance: Provides zero-interest loans, grants, or a combination of both for essential expenses, including rent, mortgage payments, utilities, food, temporary lodging, medical and dental costs, vehicle repairs, funeral expenses, and emergency travel.
• Home Repair Assistance: May provide financial assistance for eligible emergency home repairs. Requests are evaluated individually.
• Appliance and Essential Household Needs: May assist with basic essential furniture and appliance costs.
• Survivor Assistance Program: Provides grants to eligible surviving spouses and children of deceased active-duty or retired soldiers. Monthly stipends may be available for survivors experiencing severe financial hardship.
• Wounded Warrior Assistance: Provides financial assistance to eligible Army Wounded Warriors and medically evacuated soldiers.
• Educational Scholarships: Offers scholarships to eligible spouses and children of active-duty and retired Army personnel.
• Childcare Assistance: Provides additional assistance to eligible families enrolled in the Army Fee Assistance program.
• Career Skills Support Program: Offers grants to eligible soldiers transitioning from military service to civilian employment to help cover transition-related expenses.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Online: Eligible applicants can create an account and submit a request through the Online Assistance Application.
• In Person: Applicants may visit an Army Emergency Relief officer at a nearby military installation. Find your nearest office here.
• Each request is evaluated individually. Assistance may be approved as a grant, zero-interest loan, or combination. AER states that assistance is provided within 48 hours, and sometimes the same day.