Military benefits / Legal & Financial Protection

Free Legal Help and SCRA Protections

Active duty members and their families, and retirees, can use base legal offices (based on space). SCRA protections apply to active duty members and Guard and Reserve members on federal active duty orders, with some protections for dependents.

Base legal offices give free wills, powers of attorney and legal advice. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act can cap old debts at 6% interest, let you break leases when you get orders, and protect you from court cases while you serve.

What it is

Legal assistance is free legal help from military lawyers (JAGs) at your base legal office. They can:

  • Write a will and advance medical directive
  • Prepare powers of attorney for deployments
  • Review leases, contracts and car deals
  • Help with family law questions, landlord problems and consumer issues
  • Notarize documents

They usually cannot represent you in court for private matters, but they can advise you and refer you.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a federal law that protects you from some money and legal problems while you serve.

SCRA protections

  • 6% interest cap. Loans and credit cards you had before active duty can be cut to 6% interest. This includes car, student, personal and credit card debt. For a mortgage, it lasts one extra year after active duty. The lender must forgive the extra interest, not just delay it.
  • Breaking a lease. You can end a home lease without penalty if you signed it before active duty, or if you get PCS orders or deployment orders of 90 days or more. Give written notice and a copy of orders.
  • Car leases. You can end a car lease signed before active duty of 180 days or more, or if you get orders overseas or to deploy for 180 days or more.
  • Phone contracts. You can end a cell phone or similar contract without fees if orders send you somewhere the service does not work for at least 90 days.
  • Default judgments. A court must appoint a lawyer for you before it rules against you for not showing up. You can ask for a delay of at least 90 days if duty keeps you from court.
  • Foreclosure and eviction. A lender needs a court order to foreclose on a mortgage from before active duty, during service and for one year after. There are also limits on evictions.
  • State residency. You keep your home state for taxes and voting when you move on orders.

How to use it

  • Send a written request with a copy of your orders to each lender, landlord or company. Keep proof you sent it.
  • Book a will appointment before deployment or a big life event.
  • Use the legal assistance locator to find your nearest office, including at other branches' bases.

What people miss

  • Ask within 180 days. You have up to 180 days after leaving active duty to request the 6% rate for your service period.
  • Guard and Reserve count when on orders. Protections begin when you get orders, in some cases.
  • New debt is not covered. The 6% cap only applies to debt from before active duty. Watch for the Military Lending Act, which caps many new loans at 36%.
  • Report problems. If a company ignores the SCRA, contact your legal office, the CFPB or the Justice Department.

Related

See Relief Societies and Emergency Financial Help and Military OneSource for financial counseling.

Related benefits

  • Relief Societies and Emergency Financial Help
    Each branch has a nonprofit relief society that gives zero-interest loans and grants for real emergencies. They are a far better choice than payday loans. Free financial counseling is also available on every base.
  • Basic Pay and the 2026 Pay Raise
    Basic pay is the core of your paycheck and the number most other benefits are based on. Troops got a 3.8% raise in January 2026. Knowing how basic pay works helps you read your LES and plan for retirement.
  • BAH and BAS: Your Housing and Food Allowances
    BAH helps pay for housing and BAS helps pay for food, and neither one is taxed. For 2026, BAH rose an average of 4.2% and BAS rose 2.4%. These tax-free dollars are a big part of what you really earn.
  • Special Pays, Bonuses and Military Tax Breaks
    Beyond basic pay, many troops earn extra pay for where they serve or what they do. Combined with tax-free allowances, the combat zone tax exclusion and state residency rules, the military gives you more ways to cut your tax bill than most people realize.

Last reviewed 2026-11. Not affiliated with the Department of Defense. Confirm current rates with your finance office or the official source.

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