Financial Assistance

Financial Readiness Program

The Financial Readiness Program offers a wide range of personal finance and consumer affairs services to Soldiers, retirees and eligible Family members to enhance personal financial readiness and unit readiness and resilience. The ACS at Carlisle Barracks does have an Accredited Financial Counselor on staff to assist.

We review and assist service members and their families prepare individualized detailed budgets. This is especially helpful to those who are about to be married, have a child or relocate. For those who experience or anticipate financial hardships, we offer referrals to financial counseling and several publications to help get the situation under control. Clients are encouraged to work with their creditors to gain stable manageable financial positions.

For more information, contact 717-245-4357.

Pennsylvania can be a costly assignment. Here are a few tips:

• Pennsylvania automobile insurance is very expensive. Shop for rates before locking in on a particular company.
• Enlisted families on the housing waiting list for three to four-bedroom quarters can expect a lengthy wait.
• If you accept an apartment or house in the local area expect to pay $200 to $250 per month for power in an all-electric home. Contact the local housing office for housing listings-phone (520) 673-7870/7742 or email usarmy.carlisle.id-training.mbx.amim-clb-pwh@army.mil. Many Army War College students are placed in housing on post.
• Expect to pay $100-$190 night for hotel/motel reservations. Seasonal events such as local car shows, college graduations, etc. may cause spikes in rates. Transient billeting is available on a limited basis at Carlisle Barracks. If traveling with pets, ask about pet fees in hotels. Some hotels do not have pet fees. Some pet expenses are reimbursable for a PCS, however, pets must be listed on the PCS orders.

Army Emergency Relief, (AER), is located in Army Community Service at 46 Ashburn Drive. For assistance, call 717-245-4357. The hours are from 0730-1600. AER is for Active-Duty Service members and their families, Retirees, AGR-on Title 10 orders, Survivors and their children. ACS can provide information on local resources for Veterans in need that are not eligible for AER.

AER will help with emergency financial needs for:

• Food
• Rent
• Utilities
• Emergency transportation
• Vehicle repair
• Funeral expenses
• Medical and dental expenses
• Personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen

The one rule to be considered when asking for help is – Is this an emergency? If so, remember to bring the necessary documents with you:

• Military identification card
• Leave and earnings statement
• Leave/permanent change of station orders
• Other substantiating documents such as car repair estimates, rental agreement, utility bills, etc.

The American Red Cross no longer assists AER with processing since the new online AER Portal is available 24/7. Service members from other services must contact their service for assistance: Air Force Aid Society, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance to process online. If you are a spouse of a soldier, you must have a power of attorney, military ID card and substantiating documents and cannot apply online, to apply in person contact AER/ACS at Carlisle Barracks. Retirees can contact the AER officer directly for help or apply online. To apply online-www.armyemergencyrelief.org, click "Apply for Assistance" in upper right-hand corner. The system will walk you through eligibility, account set up and submitting the request. You will have to upload all documents into the portal and verify your phone, email and banking information. For time-sensitive Emergency Travel (travel within 12 hours) or for help with the portal, contact: soldierportalhelp@aer.org or your local AER office. If you have any questions, please reach out to the AER Officer at Carlisle Barracks at the number above. Our Financial Readiness Program and the ACSO can also provide additional resources and referrals for other local helping agencies for food, rent, etc., depending on the situation and duty status.