AER offers grants to Florida Soldiers, Army Families in the path of Hurricane Milton

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Army Emergency Relief | Oct. 7, 2024

Army Emergency Relief is issuing disaster relief assistance to Soldiers, retired Soldiers and Army Families impacted by Hurricane Milton. AER distributes emergency financial assistance

AER distributes emergency financial assistance through the American Red Cross where or when an AER office is not available. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337.

Milton is expected to grow in size and remain extremely dangerous as it approaches the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida peninsula and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across a portion of the entire Florida peninsula.

Hurricane Milton is expected to impact 51 of Florida’s 67 counties, including the metro areas of Tampa, St Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Many Army Families may experience displacement due to flooding and power outages as the hurricane moves on an easterly path across central Florida.

The National Weather Service warns this is an extremely life-threatening situation and residents in the affected areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so.

Eligible Army personnel may be provided financial assistance to assist with expenses associated with basic essential needs to sustain oneself during and after the storm.

Those eligible include:

  • Soldiers on active duty and their eligible Family members
  • Soldiers retired from active duty because of longevity and their eligible Family members
  • Retired Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers receiving retired pay and their Family members
  • Medically retired Soldiers and their dependents, including those placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List or Temporary Disability Retirement List
  • Surviving spouses and children of Soldiers who died while on active duty (including those on Title 10 Orders) or in an eligible retired status
  • Members of the Reserve Component of the Army (National Guard and Army Reserve under Title 10 U.S.C) on continuous active duty for more than 30 consecutive days and their eligible Family members

Additionally, disaster assistance eligibility has been extended to individuals who have been impacted by the Hurricane Francine.  These individuals are normally not eligible for AER assistance:

  • “Grey Area” retired Soldiers of the Reserve Components (Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve)
  • Title 10, Title 32, and TPU Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers who are not mobilized
  • Title 10, Title 32, and TPU Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers mobilized for less than 30 consecutive days
  • Title 10, Title 32, and TPU Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers activated in support of hurricane relief efforts

How to get help:

  • Contact the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337. AER distributes emergency financial assistance through the Red Cross where or when an AER office is not available.

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