If you are in need of emergency financial assistance:   

Army Emergency Relief: AER is a private, nonprofit organization established to help Soldiers and their families in emergency financial situations due to no fault of their own. AER provides financial assistance through zero percent interest loans, and in certain cases, grants. Make AER your first choice for financial assistance. 

For more information about how the Financial Readiness Program can help you, contact Army Community Service.   

Eligible applicants can conveniently apply for financial assistance anytime, from anywhere, using the Online Assistance Application on a computer or mobile device.

AER now offers an online system for requesting financial assistance. Active-duty Soldiers, retirees, and survivors can apply directly and receive an immediate eligibility decision. To apply during office closures, weekends or holidays:

  1. Visit https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org (external page)
  2. Click "Apply for Assistance" in the upper-right corner to begin your application

For time-sensitive Emergency Travel assistance (traveling within 12 hours, or help using the portal, send an email to soldierportalhelp@aerhq.org

For in-person visit, please bring the following:

  • Military ID card
  • Leave and Earnings Statement

       For Emergency Leave:

  • IPPS-A generated emergency leave form (must be approved by commander)

Areas of Financial Assistance

  • Basic Needs & Housing.  Provides financial support to assist in maintaining stable housing and basic essential living needs. 
  • Care During a Crisis.  Ensures immediate access to financial support during critical and stressful life events generally associated with natural disasters. 
  • Health & Wellness.  Provides financial support for expenses that are essential to maintaining health and wellness.
  • Supporting Families.  Ensures immediate access to financial support for unique situations that impact family resilience and well-being. 
  • Workforce Development.  Provides financial support for a variety of workforce development needs to enhance career opportunities, employability and professional growth.

Who Does AER Assist?

  • Soldiers on extended active duty and their dependents.
  • Members of the Reserve components of the Army (Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve) on continuous active duty for more than 30 days and their dependents. (This applies to soldiers on AD for training (ADT) or serving under various sections of title 10, United States Code).
  • Soldiers retired from active duty because of longevity or physical disability, or retired upon reaching age 60 (Reserve components) and their dependents.
  • Widows/widowers and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after they retired.

AER cannot assist with:

  • Help pay for nonessentials.
  • Finance ordinary leave or vacation.
  • Pay fines or legal expenses.
  • Help liquidate or consolidate debt.
  • Assist with house purchase or home improvements.
  • Help purchase, rent or lease a vehicle.
  • Cover bad checks.
  • Pay credit card bills.
  • Funds to replace those overdrawn from bank account.

Spousal Assistance

  • Spouses may receive financial assistance; however, they must be geographically separated and possess a power of attorney, military identification card and provide substantiating documents (eg. car repair estimate, rental agreement, utility bill).

What kind of assistance is given?

  • Assistance may be provided in the form of a non-interest bearing loan, a grant (an outright gift of funds) if repayment of loan will cause undue hardship or a combination of the two. Should a loan be given, it will be prorated from the Soldier’s military pay. It is always best to discuss the payment plan with an AER representative.

Is there a dollar limit on AER assistance?

  • No. AER assistance will meet your emergency need.

Where does AER receive its funding?

  • Voluntary contributions from active and retired Soldiers.
  • Repayment of AER interest-free loans.
  • Income from investments.
  • Unsolicited contributions.