Financial Assistance

Financial Readiness Program (FRP)

The Fort Polk Financial Readiness Program provides financial management classes, briefings, and one-on-one counseling to those who want to improve their finances. Wherever you are financially, we show you how to make things even better! Classes cover such topics as Money Management, Investing, Improving Your Credit, Generational Wealth and Estate Planning, and Tax Planning. For more information, go to https://polk.armymwr.com/programs/acs/financial-readiness.

To conduct individual Military Milestone Training, attend one of our Wednesday Classes or go to the following website: https://olms.armyfamilywebportal.com/ search for” Financial Readiness Touchpoints”, take the training, get your certificate, and send it to you DTMS manager for upload.

Fort Polk is a Medium Cost of living area. There is a shortage of good rental properties. Public transportation options are very limited.  

Agencies to request assistance while traveling: Red Cross, Army Emergency Relief (AER) or any other military installation you may be close to.

Agencies upon arrival: Vernon Community Action Council; WIC; Louisiana SNAP; VFW; Helping Hands; Red Cross; Installation Chaplain Office; Army Emergency Relief (AER).

Advanced Pay is not available, except for advanced Dislocation Allowance (DLA). All Soldiers should have a Government Travel Credit Card (GTCC) to use for expenses that they cannot pay for out of pocket (Hotel, Food, Moving Transportation or Gas), keep receipts.

Army Emergency Relief (AER)

Located in the ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICES (ACS) BLDG 920|1591 BELL RICHARD AVE

Army Emergency Relief

After duty hours, weekends and holidays, soldiers will need to apply for assistance online on the Army Emergency Relief website.

AER is a private, non-profit organization incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and Army Chief of Staff. AER's mission is to provide emergency financial assistance to soldiers, active and retired, their family members, their widow(ers), and orphans during valid emergencies that require immediate attention. Assistance is provided as an interest-free loan, grant or a combination loan and grant. Any emergency must have originated from other than the soldier’s own actions (i.e., AWOL, Article 15 or civilian fines).

AER Appointments

• Contact the AER office at or come by ACS.

When visiting AER you should bring the following:

• Military ID card
• Most recent end-of-month Leave and Earnings Statement plus any additional incomes
• Emergency Leave form or PCS orders
• Substantiating documents related to the assistance you are requesting (i.e. major car repair estimate, rental agreement, eviction notice, utility bill, disconnection notice, etc.)
• Spouses seeking assistance will need a current Power of Attorney
• Additional information, forms, types and categories of assistance, scholarship information, and FAQs are available one the Army Emergency Relief website.