Emergency Assistance

The Air Force Aid Society provides interest-free loans and grants to active duty Air Force members and their families, retired Air Force members, dependents of deceased Air Force members, as well as Air National Guard and Reserve personnel serving on extended active duty.

Categories of financial assistance include:

• Basic living expenses
• Emergency travel
• Vehicle expenses
• Medical/dental expenses not covered by Tricare
• Child care expenses
• Funeral expenses

To apply for emergency financial assistance, applications should go online to the AFAS website. Once submitted, an AFAS caseworker will contact you to further discuss your request. All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Emergency assistance usually combines an assessment of the emergency situation and and evaluation of the personal budget to arrive at a decision to make an interest-free loan, a grant, or a combination of both.

For more information, contact the Military and Family Readiness Center at 316-759-6020 or DSN 312-743-6020 during duty hours Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you aren't near an Air Force base, contact the American Red Cross 877-272-7337 or the nearest military installation and inform them of your emergency. Other military branches' relief societies have agreements with AFAS to provide assistance.

After Hours

AFAS emergency assistance after normal duty hours (after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays), on weekends and holidays is provided through the American Red Cross. Members can visit www.redcross.org or call 877-272-7337.

Unexpected events can happen no matter how well you've planned. Before you leave, make sure you keep all important papers with you (not packed with your household goods).

• PCS orders
• All personal identification documents (military ID cards, marriage and birth certificates, passports and Social Security cards)
• Medical records (including immunization records for family and pets)
• School records
• Proof of car insurance and registration
• Any bills of sale pertaining to vehicles, especially if you purchased the car overseas. You will need these to register your car.

You should also carry the contact numbers for your sponsor, lodging, Unit Commander Support Staff, and your Commander so you can let them know if you have any issues or delays as you make your way here.

American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education. For information on services provided by the South Central and Southeast Kansas chapter, call 316-219-4000 or visit their website.

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is the single largest provider of social services of its kind in the United States. In times of natural disasters or other emergencies, they work with local and federal authorities to provide relief and support. For information on services provided by the Wichita chapter, call 316-263-2769 or visit their website.

United Way
The United Way of the Plains is a local volunteer-driven organization. United Way brings the community together to address critical issues such as care for the elderly, youth at risk, disaster relief and more. United Way of the Plains serves Sedgwick and surrounding counties in south central Kansas. United Way's 2-1-1 call center helps people find needed services in communities across the state of Kansas. Dial 2-1-1 (toll free, statewide) or visit their website.

Emergencies

• For off-base emergencies, dialing 911 from a cell or commercial phone will get you the county emergency response line.
• For on-base emergencies, dialing 911 from a government phone will get you McConnell AFB fire dispatch. Dialing 759-3976 from any phone will get you McConnell AFB Security Forces dispatch. If you call 911 from a cell phone but need on-base response, the county emergency response line will connect you to McConnell AFB fire dispatch or Security Forces dispatch.