Emergency Assistance

Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Air and Space Forces Aid Society

Each branch of service has an emergency relief society, a private organization which assists active-duty service members, activated guard and reserve service members and retirees with a financial hardship due to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. These societies such as the Air and Space Forces Aid Society, can provide financial emergency assistance based on need through either 0% interest loans or when there is a particular hardship grants. Categories of emergency financial assistance include basic living expenses food, shelter and utilities, uninsured medical and dental expenses, emergency transportation, essential car repairs, pay problems, disasters and assistance for widows/widowers.

You can find online assistance from the following relief societies:

• Army Emergency Relief Society
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
• Air and Space Forces Aid Society
  • For emergency travel assistance, contact the American Red Cross, do not submit an AFAS application

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross can provide the following help in times of emergency:

• Communications about family emergencies
• 24 hours a day, seven days a week for verification of death or serious illness of immediate family
• Birth announcements to fathers deployed overseas
• Health and welfare reports resulting from a lack of communication over a long period of time
• Financial assistance for military personnel and their immediate families through a partnership with the service emergency relief societies
• Emergency travel assistance
• Connection with information and resources to help with national, community and government resources

To locate information about the American Red Cross, please contact one of the following:

• For general information, please visit the American Red Cross website or call 877-733-2767
• All military personnel should contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7339
• To find the nearest American Red Cross, please use the online American Red Cross locator
• Please visit the Spokane Chapter of the American Red Cross online for more information

Base Essentials - Emergency Assistance

• Sexual Assault Prevention & Response contact number - 24/7 Sexual Assault Response Line: 509-247-7272
• No required time frame for advocacy services

Reporting Options for Sexual Harassment

• Eligibility: active-duty military Guard and reserves
• Restricted Reporting – NO notifications=Confidential
• Unrestricted Reporting – Leadership and Equal Opportunity office gets notified
• Access to voluntary services including advocacy and therapy
• May request victim’s counsel consultation
• EO still owns investigation process-advocacy services does not replace this

Reporting Options for Sexual Assault Victims

• Restricted Reporting - Law Enforcement and Chain of Command are NOT notified and confidentiality is kept for collateral misconduct, such as underage drinking.
  • Who qualifies - active duty, Guard, reserves, dependents 18+, and DOW employees (appropriated and non-appropriated)
  • Can speak with the following and have privileged communications: Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, Medical/Mental Health Services, victim's counsel, or chaplain
  • Only SAPR Office can initiate Restricted Report
  • Receive - medical care (including transportation for a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam), Victim Advocate Services, and counseling (all optional and voluntary)
  • Catch a Serial Offender Program, or CATCH
    • Sexual assault victims making a Restricted Report can help the Department of War identify repeat sex offenders by anonymously disclosing suspect information.
    • Contact your local SARC.
• Unrestricted Reporting: AFOSI investigation is initiated and unit commander is notified.
  • Who qualifies - active duty, Guard, reserves, dependents 18+, and DOW employees (appropriated and non-appropriated)
  • Receive - medical care (including transportation for a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam), Victim Advocate Services, and counseling (all optional and voluntary)
  • Request - Expedited Transfer (permanent change of station or permanent change of assignment)
• Victims may disclose their assault to anyone; however, Mandatory Reporters must notify AFOSI.
  • If victim discloses to leadership, a Restricted Report is still an option. Victim may choose to NOT participate in the investigation.
  • If victim discloses to AFOSI or any Law Enforcement officer, the only option is Unrestricted Reporting.
• CATCH - Catch a Serial Offender Program
  • Victim may anonymously and confidentially enter information into the secure database after reporting Restricted, Unrestricted (if name of offender is not known or not disclosed) or without filing a report.
  • No PII is allowed.
  • The only information that is entered is about the alleged offender(s) and the assault.
  • CATCH has 100% voluntary participation.
  • Victims then choose how to proceed if “matched.”
    • Report or Convert to Unrestricted - AFOSI investigation initiated
    • Participate now or in the future
• Contact the SAPR office for more information.

Victims have rights. Contact the SAPR office to find out options answers to questions and rights before filing a Restricted or Unrestricted Report.

Call our 24/7 response line at 509-247-7272.