The Army Emergency Relief Fund (AER) is a private nonprofit organization offering financial assistance to soldiers and their families. The motto and goal of the AER is “Helping the Army take care of its Own.” It branches out worldwide and provides servicemembers with various types of aid such as scholarships, grants and loans. Since its origination, the AER has provided over $1.2 billion in financial assistance.
Am I Eligible?
There are various levels of eligibility for aid from the AER, however no aid is guaranteed.
Some instances for eligibility may include:
- Active duty soldiers serving an extended period of duty.
- Members of the Army National Guard or Reserve serving continuous active duty for more than 30 days.
- Widows and children of servicemembers who died while serving or after retiring.
- Servicemembers that were forced to retire from active duty as a result of a physical disability.
- Servicemembers who retired after reaching the age of 60.
How to Apply
To apply for help from the AER, you will need to visit the AER location closest to you. Site locations are listed on the AER website or can be found by calling 866-878-6378.
To apply, you will need to provide your military ID card, a leave order/PCS order, and a leave and earnings statement. Spouses are also able to request financial assistance through AER by providing a power of attorney, a military ID card, and documents proving financial need such as a car estimate bill, rental lease or a utility bill.
There is no set limit for financial aid. The AER will respond accordingly to your needs, and often can provide assistance almost immediately.
