ABOUT ARMY EMERGENCY RELIEF (AER)

Army Emergency Relief (AER) is a private, non-profit organization ​​​​​​that provides emergency financial assistance to Soldiers and their Families. 

MISSION

AER promotes financial readiness and helps relieve distress of Soldiers and their Families by providing grants, interest-free loans and scholarships. 

ELGIBILITY: 

The following individual are eligible for AER assistance in accordance with Army Regulation 930-4:

  • Active Duty, Retired and medically Retired Soldiers and their eligible dependents.
  • Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers on active duty for more than 30 consecutive days and their eligible dependents. 
  • Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers who are renting and receiving DFAS Retired Pay and their eligible dependents. 
  • Surviving Spouses and children of Soldiers who died while on active duty or as retirees.
categories of assitance 

AER provides more than 30 categories of assistance. 

All assistance requests are unique and considered on an individual basis. 

  • Emergency Travel 
  • Natural disaster preparation and evacuation 
  • Mortgage, rent, and initial deposit 
  • Temporary lodging 
  • Food 
  • Healthcare not covered by TRICARE 
  • Vehicle Costs 
  • Utilities 
  • Funeral expenses 
  • Basic essentials furniture 
  • PCS Travel 

Check out all the Categories of Assistance here. 

how to get assitance 

Quick Assist Program 

  • Allows chain of command to provide immediate assistance. 
  • Company commander or first sergeant can approve loans up to $2,000.

Direct Access to AER 

  • Soldiers are allowed two financial requests within a 12-month period without unit commanders' review with the following safeguards: 
    • Soldiers E-1 through E-4 must have completed Initial Entry Training (IET). 
    • Soldiers must have at least 12 months' time in service or have finished IET (whichever is greater). 
    • Unit commanders' approval is required for Soldiers determined to be at "high risk" (as per AR 600-85). 
three ways to apply 

1. Talk to Your Chain of Command

Your chain of command has the power to approve immediate financial assistance up to $2,000 through the Quick Assist Program. Your chain of command can also refer you to the on-post AER officer. Your chain of command is empowered to help. Just ask!

2. Visit your AER Officer 

Any Soldier (active or retired) can visit their nearest AER officer. Officers are conveniently located at many Army installations around the world. No Army post nearby? No problem! Soldiers can visit any military installation and request AER assistance from any military aid society.

3. Call the American Red Cross 

Not located within 50 miles of a military installation? The American Red Cross is authorized to provide financial assistance on behalf of AER. Call the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337 and select the option for financial assistance.

 

Resources & Forms

AER Budget Planning Sheet

AER Form 600 Commanders Referral (pdf)

AER Form 101 Application for Financial Assistance

Army Emergency Relief (AER) Service Application Checklist (pdf)

URANO SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW 

Please contact the Fort Myer AER Officer at+1 (703)696-3510 or +1 (703)696-8435