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Army Emergency Relief

  
 

ACS
 

Emergency Assistance

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 

The AER Program plays a unique and important role in helping the Army "Take Care of Its Own." The AER office provides emergency financial assistance to soldiers, both active and retired, and their family members.

AER is private non-profit organization whose sole mission is to collect and hold funds to relieve financial distress of soldiers and their family members. Although a private organization, AER exists solely for the soldier. AER belongs to all Army people, active, retired, and the spouses and orphans of deceased soldiers. Spouses geographically separated from the service member should obtain a Power of Attorney allowing spouse to receive AER assistance and sign the allotment when assistance is provided.

Approval of an AER loan is based on the need created by an emergency beyond the control of the soldier. Although each loan application is considered on its own merit, the AER office should be the last aid station when all other agencies are unable to assist. AER will consider cases in the following areas.

Authorized Assistance

Unauthorized Assistance
  • Non-Receipt of Pay
  • Loss of Funds
  • Medical, Dental and Hospital (Bridge Loan)
  • Funeral Expenses
  • Emergency Travel Expenses
  • Food  Rent, Utilities
  • Essential POV Repair
  • Privation
Building 232
Phone (586) 282-0482
e-mail Army Emergency Relief
  • Abortions
  • Bad checks
  • Civilian court fees, fines or judgments, bail bonds, liens, legal fees
  • Credit card bills, liquidation/consolidation of debts
  • Marriage or divorce
  • Ordinary leave or vacation
  • Overdrawn bank accounts/overdrafts
  • State or federal income taxes
  • Telephone bills
  • Purchase of a vehicle or home, home improvements, business loans

 
 
   

Adopt a Family Holiday Program

Enjoy the holiday spirit, become a shining star by sharing with others. Anyone can be a sponsor; any unit, individual, family, or agency/group can change the holiday season for a military family who may be experiencing temporary financial difficulties.  Click here to view additional information   View and print sponsor form

 

Command Approval

The unit commander must sign all AER applications for financial assistance. The primary goal of AER is to meet valid emergencies for the soldier and the family member. Continued command and individual support, prompt repayment of loans, and the use of the AER Program for valid emergencies only will ensure the continued availability of AER funds for all soldiers.

Make an appointment.

Make an appointment by calling (586) 282-0482 or send an email to  Army Emergency Relief. Hours of Operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday (except for government holidays). For assistance requests more than 50 miles from the Selfridge area, please contact AER at (586) 282-0482 between 8 to 4:30 Monday thru Friday or if after hours, call American Red Cross, toll-free (888) 317-0860.


Click here to view and print additional information

Eligibility

Active duty, Retirees, Army Reservists and National Guard on active duty orders for more than 30 days are eligible to apply for emergency relief. Those on ADSW or AT orders or Title 32 are not eligible for assistance.

How to apply for assistance

Service members should complete DA 1103   Application for Army Emergency Relief Financial Assistance and a budget sheet. The application must be signed by the commander or XO for approval.   Once you have obtained signatures, please call for an appointment.  At that time, we will tell you what supporting documents you will need to bring

              

Emergency Travel

Emergency travel situations are time essential. We do appreciate a phone call stating the emergency need so that we may be prepared to expedite your request as quickly as possible. Travel for illness or death of a spouse, parent, or child take priority over all other appointments.

  • All requests need to be accompanied by:

  • Signed DA 1103 (by commander/XO).

  • Approved orders for emergency leave or regular leave under emergency conditions.

  • Red Cross verification of death/illness or ARC case number.

 Processing of AER requests for emergency travel during nights, weekends and holidays is available thru the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, toll-free, at 1-888-317-0860. Be sure to ask for the Armed Forces Emergency Section (AFES).

Emergency Assistance for Other Branches

We process requests for Air Force Aid and Navy Marine Corps Relief Societies at our office in at the Detroit Arsenal, Building 230, Room 1260, Warren, Michigan 48397. As above please call to schedule an appointment. To assist you in applying for assistance:

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) application forms are at www.afas.org.

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) information www.nmcrs.org   For these requests, please us AER application DA 1103 and budget sheet

For local Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) please contact: USCG AIR STATION DETROIT C/O SELFRIDGE ANGB MT. CLEMENS, MI 48045-5011 Point of Contact LCDR Timothy A. Mayer (586) 239-6702 tmayer@asdetroit.uscg.mil

USCG SECTOR DETROIT 110 MOUNT ELLIOT AVENUE DETROIT, MI 48207-4380 Point of Contact CWO Guillermo A. Viarnes (313) 568-9567 gviarnes@grudetroit.uscg.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to have an application processed?

Every situation is handled case- by- case. Most applications are processed within 24 hours of receiving the completed forms. If information is not complete, this will delay the process and increase the processing time.

2. How long can I expect my appointment to take?

Again this depends on how well you are prepared for your appointment. We feel that most cases should be handled within 90 minutes unless the situation needs more information or documentation that originally determined from the initial phone call or contact.  

3. When will I know if my application is approved?

In most cases, you will know the same day, if not at the scheduled appointment.  There are situations where we may need additional information that arises from discussion in the appointment. This can temporarily put the application in a pending status.

4. If I am a Retiree, am I automatically eligible to apply for Relief Society assistance?

It will depend on how you left the military. Each case is looked at individually. If you are receiving 100% benefits from the Veteran’s Administration, you may need to apply to the Veteran’s Trust Fund for assistance.  If you are a gray-area Retiree, you will not be eligible to apply until after you have reached  the age of 60.

5. If  I am a Spouse and the Service Member is overseas may I apply for assistance?

Spouses need to provide a Power of Attorney (POA) with their initial request. If there is no POA, the Service Member will be contacted for approval to provide assistance.

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