Military benefits / Legal & Financial Protection

Relief Societies and Emergency Financial Help

Active duty members, Guard and Reserve members on active duty, retirees and their families. Each service has its own society, but any of them can usually help you.

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.

What it is

When money is tight, each branch has a private, nonprofit relief society that helps its own people:

  • Army: Army Emergency Relief (AER)
  • Navy and Marine Corps: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
  • Air Force and Space Force: Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)
  • Coast Guard: Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)

They give zero-interest loans, grants or a mix of both for true needs. Common reasons include rent, utilities, car repairs, emergency travel to see a sick family member, funeral costs, and some medical or dental bills. Many also offer scholarships and budget counseling.

Who gets it

Active duty members and their families, Guard and Reserve members on active duty for more than 30 days, retirees, and surviving spouses can usually apply. Each society sets its own rules.

How to use it

  • Go to your society's office on base or apply online. Bring your ID, LES, and proof of the need (like a repair estimate or a late notice).
  • No office nearby? Another branch's society can process your request. If no military relief office is near, the American Red Cross can help.
  • Talk to your Family Readiness or Fleet and Family Support Center. They can connect you to help.
  • Get free financial counseling from your base Personal Financial Counselor or Military OneSource. They can help you build a budget and a plan.

What people miss

  • Asking for help is not a career problem. Relief societies exist so troops do not turn to high-cost lenders. Using them is smart.
  • Some help needs no command involvement. Many societies offer quick-assist loans for small amounts without going through your chain of command. Ask what is available.
  • They do not cover everything. Fines, legal fees, buying a house or car, and nonessential items usually do not qualify.
  • Avoid payday and title loans. The Military Lending Act caps most consumer loans to service members and dependents at a 36% Military Annual Percentage Rate. Even so, these loans can trap you. A relief society loan costs 0%.
  • Food help. Families with lower income may qualify for the Basic Needs Allowance, FSSA, or WIC. See BAH and BAS.
  • Disasters and shutdowns. Relief societies often step in after hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters. They have also offered help when a government shutdown delayed pay.
  • Scholarships. Several societies give grants or interest-free loans for college to spouses and children. Check deadlines early in the year.

Build your safety net

Emergency help is great, but the best plan is not needing it. Try these steps:

  1. Start an emergency fund. Aim for at least $1,000, then work up to three to six months of bills.
  2. Use an allotment to send a set amount from each paycheck to savings automatically.
  3. Check your credit for free and set up a fraud alert. Active duty members can get a free active duty alert with the credit bureaus.
  4. Meet with a financial counselor before big moments like a PCS, a new baby, a car purchase or leaving the military.

Related

See Legal Assistance and SCRA for debt protections, Military OneSource for financial counseling, and BAH and BAS for the Basic Needs Allowance.

Related benefits

  • Free Legal Help and SCRA Protections
    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.
  • 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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