How AER works - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

How AER works

Who is eligible:

• Active-duty members and their dependents.

• National Guard and Reserve members and their dependents mobilized under Title 10 for more than 30 days.

• Retired service members (including medically retired) and their dependents.

• Widows and widowers and dependent children of service members who die on active duty or after retirement.

Emergency financial assistance available: Loans, grants or a combination. Examples of help include money for food, rent or utilities, emergency transportation and vehicle repair, funeral expenses, medical and dental expenses.

Qualifying factors: Officials stress that the relief societies assist with emergency or unexpected needs. The level of aid usually combines an assessment of the emergency — a death in the family, a needed vehicle repair, pay problems — and evaluation of the individual’s financial situation.

Loan repayment terms: Loans normally are repaid by allotment, generally within 12 to 24 months. The relief societies say their guiding principle is not to put service members in a financial bind.

Consequences of failing to repay a loan: If repayment causes hardship, loans may be converted to grants. Soldiers who can repay but do not may be put on a restricted list that makes it harder to get future AER aid. Outstanding loans for active-duty members are not given to collection agencies. Any disciplinary action is between commanders and soldiers; AER has no role and does not recommend any action.