COVID-19 Response

  • Soldiers administer COVID vaccines.

What's Your Situation?

Active duty Soldiers affected by COVID-19

Soldiers affected by COVID-19, including the Department of Defense’s travel restrictions. Remote and in-person options.

Bulletin 02-2020 – Assistance via EFT

Apply

Title 10/32 affected by COVID-19

U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard activated in response to COVID-19. Assistance for personal transportation and basic living expenses for the duration of activation plus 30 days after deactivation.

Bulletin 05-2020-01 – Expanded Assistance for USAR & ARNG

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Childcare, Remote Education and Tutoring Assistance

Financial assistance for costs associated with childcare for working spouses and spouses pursuing employment and costs associated with remote education and tutoring support.

Home School and Remote Education Assistance Program (Bulletin 07-2020-2-3)

Home School and Remote Education Assistance Program – Tutoring Assistance (Bulletin 07-2020-2-6)

Childcare Assistance Program (Bulletin 14-2020)

Apply

Non-Title 10/32 SGLI, FSGLI and TRICARE assistance

Assistance for Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance or TRICARE insurance premiums for U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers affected by the cancelation of Battle Assembly or loss of income.

COVID-19 – SGLI, FSGLI and TRICARE assistance for USAR & ARNG (Bulletin 06-2020-01)

Apply

Non-Title 10 affected by Department of Defene travel restrictions

Assistance for non-Title 10 U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers on a case-by-case basis when experiencing unusual financial hardship due to a canceled deployment or DOD travel restrictions.

Apply

Dignified storage of remains

Active duty Soldiers, including those with Title 10 orders for more than 30 days and U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard activated in support of COVID-19, who are experiencing a delay in funerals and burials.

COVID-19 – Dignified storage of remains (Bulletin 04-2020)

COVID-19 – Dignified storage of remains (USAR and ARNG) (Bulletin 04-2020-1)

Apply

Army Emergency Relief closure / No support available

AER assistance is available through the American Red Cross. Call 1-877-272-7337 select option 1 for financial assistance. Or, use our Office Locator to find additional military aid offices.

Office Locator

Civilian federal employees

The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund is the only non-profit organization devoted to providing emergency financial assistance to civilian federal and U.S. Postal Service public servants and their families.

Visit FEEA Website

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can my spouse obtain AER assistance if I’m deployed or TDY?

    Yes, a spouse or other eligible dependent may seek AER assistance without their sponsor being present when the Soldier is unavailable.

    Unavailable is defined as:

    • When the Soldier is outside the same geographic area as the dependent due to temporary duty travel, field exercise or deployment
    • When the Soldier is inside the same geographic area and (determined by the chain of command) they will be unavailable to visit the local AER office in a timely manner to meet a valid emergency need
    • When the retired Soldier is working outside the local or primary area where the family resides or is hospitalized, incarcerated or otherwise unavailable for a legitimate reason that would prevent them from requesting assistance

    Options for requesting assistance when the Soldier is unavailable:

    • Special Power of Attorney
      • Spouses or other authorized dependent must have a valid SPOA from their sponsor granting them authority to act as the sponsor’s attorney-in-fact to “establish, change, or stop allotments” as required by Financial Management Regulation DoD 7000.14-R, para 400803.
      • Note:  “A general power of attorney is not acceptable to establish, change or stop and allotment.” (FMR 7000.14-R, para 400803)
    • Account Allotment and Authorization Form (AER Form 55)
      • Allows active duty or retired Soldiers to provide one-time authority for a spouse or other eligible dependent to obtain financial assistance in the name of the Soldier when they are unavailable. Upon request, the AER Form 55 will can be initiated by the local AER officer. The AER officer will email the form directly to the active duty or retired Soldier for signature on behalf of the eligible family member.
    • Email from the active duty Soldier’s .mil account stating they concur with the assistance, dollar amount and repayment
      • Under no circumstance can a personal email account be used to provide concurrence.

  • Is there a dollar limit on AER assistance?

    Every request is unique and considered on an individual basis. There is no upper limit for AER support, however, the most common assistance we provide is $1,500 for a 15-month loan.

    Some categories of assistance have dollar limits and other categories have requirements related to grants versus loans.

  • Do I have to contribute to AER to receive assistance?

    No. All eligible requests will be considered regardless of prior contributions.

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