JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The U.S. Army Emergency Relief is scheduled to instate a policy change that will allow Soldiers of all ranks with at least 12 months time in service and who have completed initial entry training to directly access AER assistance beginning Sept. 9, 2015.
According to Marlon James, Fort Eustis Army Support Activity Army emergency relief officer, the previous policy allowed only Soldiers E-5 and above direct access to AER without prior chain-of-command approval.
The AER, a private, non-profit organization, has helped Army families get through unexpected financial emergencies by offering no-interest loans, grants and scholarships without retribution since 1942.
Through the use of donations by both the Army family and general public, the program aided 47, 117 Soldiers and their families by providing $64.8 million in financial assistance in 2014.
While the new policy allows all ranks access, Soldiers who require more than two assistance requests per year and those deemed with "high risk" financial behavior must still obtain command approval. According to James, AER personnel will determine high risk spenders during the application process.
"Some Soldiers feel that if they inform their chain of command that they are experiencing financial difficulties, they will be labeled as irresponsible," explained James. "Simply put, the AER is dedicated to helping the Army take care of its own, not labeling Soldiers who fall on hard times."
Approval of AER requests is also limited to emergency financial needs for:
· Food, rent or utilities
· Emergency transportation and vehicle repair
· Funeral expenses
· Medical/dental expenses
· Personal needs when regular pay is delayed or stolen
AER does not offer the following:
· Help in paying for nonessentials
· Finance ordinary leave or vacation
· Pay fines or legal expenses
· Help liquidate or consolidate debt
· Assistance with house purchase
· Help purchase or lease vehicle
· Cover bad checks or pay credit card bills
"While AER support is available to help Soldiers with financial emergencies, it cannot be used as a safety net to pay for non-essential debts," said James.
Though the program has helped many families over the past six years, the number of financial requests has dropped 35 percent. According to James, this is partially due to the stigma that using the program is bad for someone's military career.
According to James, the program enhances a Soldier's career as it not only helps them stabilize their funds after experiencing financial emergencies, but protects them from worsening their financial situation through the use of high-interest loans which can put them further into debt.
"Use of AER should not reflect poorly on a Soldier's career," said James. "This program was established to provide help to get Soldiers back on track."
For more information, call 878-2137 or visit
http://www-test.aerhq.org/dnn563/.