Financial Assistance

Referrals for local community resources -- Service members are often reluctant to ask for assistance, and yet there are state and federal programs in place to assist soldiers and family members. By using these programs, families can save a few hard-earned dollars for use in other areas of household management. Financial Readiness provides information, eligibility guidelines, referral and/or registration for the following assistance programs:

Christmas Holiday Food Assistance Program -- Ensures all families have a holiday meal and provides Christmas gifts and toys to children of eligible families.

Resource Referral Program -- For Families who are not eligible for our programs, we provide resources in the local communities to assist with specific needs.

The Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) is a financial benefits program for military families. It is designed to supplement the Basic Allowance for Subsistence and help service members pay for basic necessities such as food. FSSA aims to reduce or eliminate the need for service members to use the Food Stamp Program (SNAP). The program ensures that service members and their families have access to nutritious foods despite economic challenges. FSSA payments are based on household income and are not to exceed $1,100 per month. Visit Military OneSource to apply.

Financial literacy is an integral part of mission readiness and quality of life. The goal of this campaign is to maintain a comprehensive and state-of-the-art education and training program throughout the services. Designed by the DoD, the purpose of the FLP is to increase personal readiness by reducing the stressors related to financial well-being. This program will assist soldiers and family members in awareness, savings & debt reduction and protection against predatory practices.

The Military and Family Support Center provides emergency financial assistance for active-duty and retired Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps personnel, widows/widowers and their family members. Reservists on active-duty orders greater than 30 days may be eligible for financial assistance through their specific branch of service aid society. Coast Guard personnel receive assistance through their individual unit or commander. Aid society family member scholarship information is also available. Assistance is provided through Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Aid Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Fund.

Eligibility

Single or married active-duty service members and their dependents, reserve and guard members on continuous active duty for more than 30 days and their dependents, and surviving spouses or orphans of soldiers who died while on active duty or retired from the military are all eligible for financial assistance.

Types of Assistance

Emergency financial assistance is available for:

• Food, rent or utilities
• Emergency transportation and vehicle repair
• Funeral expenses
• Medical and dental expenses
• Personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen

AER also provides undergraduate-level education scholarships based primarily on financial need to children and soldiers. Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel and their families can obtain scholarship information for their specific relief societies. Please contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337.

Informational brochures, pamphlets, literature and websites are available to cover a wide variety of consumer issues, such as consumer rights and laws, new purchases, investing and savings. A wide variety of personal finance and consumer education classes are available for presentation to unit and Family Readiness Groups.

Debt Management Assistance

If you find yourself in the position of considering loan consolidation, you may be headed for financial difficulty.

The following are danger signs:

• More than 20% of your take-home pay is used for credit payments (excluding home mortgage)
• You have one or more loans from lending companies at 20% or more interest
• You screen your phone calls because bill collectors are calling frequently
• You routinely use your overdraft protection
• You use credit cards impulsively
• You do not pay your bills on time
• You pay only the minimum amount down on your charge accounts each month
• The use of advance check cashing and pay day loans is part of your regular budget plan
• Your car loan is financed at 12% interest or more

If one or more of the above describes you or your spouse, don't wait! Call 586-282-0489 or stop by the Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program in Building 230, Rm 1H055 and schedule an appointment with a financial counselor.