AER is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff. AER’s mission is to provide emergency financial assistance to Soldiers, active and retired, to their Families, and to Surviving Spouses and Orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty, or after they retired.
AER’s five areas of support
Basic needs & housing: housing assistance, food, emergency car repair
Care during a crisis: disaster response, domestic violence, funeral expenses, Wounded Warriors
Health & wellness: medical co-pays not covered by TRICARE, cranial helmets, dental care for dependents, special-needs equipment
Workforce development: spouse re-licensing and recertification fees, Career Skills Program support
Supporting Families: emergency travel, childcare, immigrations, visa & passport fees, scholarships
Who is Eligible?
Active duty Soldiers, single or married, and their Family members.
Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers on continuous active duty for more than 30 days and their Family members (Title 10, USC).
Soldiers retired from active duty for longevity or physical disability, and their Family Members Surviving spouses and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after they retired.
The USAR Expansion Pilot Program
The Army Emergency Relief (AER) US Army Reserve Expansion pilot program extends eligibility to USAR Soldiers not on active duty, specifically Troop Program Unit (TPU) and Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). This coverage applies to these Soldiers performing Inactive Duty Training (IDT) or serving on orders less than 30 days.
This pilot program directly supports AER's goal of Total Force Support and Army People First initiatives. It promotes readiness, resilience, and trust that strengthens parity with Active-Duty counterparts.
The US Army Reserve Command (USARC) facilitates and supports AER's initiative through its Family Program (FP) Directorates at Geographical Readiness Division (RDs) and Mission Support Commands (MSCs). The pilot program is for one year (CY 2026) or until AER pilot funding is exhausted. See the Soldier AER information sheet for additional information.
How to Apply for Assistance
AER now provides an online application system, making it easier to check eligibility and request financial help.
If you are an Active Duty Soldier, Retired Soldier, or Survivor, you can apply online and get an immediate eligibility decision.
To apply, follow these steps on your phone or computer:
- Click here to Sign up then create an account if you don’t already have one.
- Once your account has been created, click "Apply for Assistance" at the top of the page to start your application.
This process will guide users through eligibility checks, account creation, and request submission.
For help with “time sensitive” Emergency Travel requests (meaning you are requesting to travel within the next 12 hours), or assistance using the portal during the office closure, weekends, or holidays, email: soldierportalhelp@aerhq.org.
