On Thursday, August 20, as part of a historic commitment by USAA’s Military Family Relief Initiative, Army Emergency Relief received $5.75 million to assist Soldiers and their Families during these challenging economic times. The donation will support AER’s ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts, including financial assistance for Soldiers affected by the DoD travel ban, Army Reserve and National Gaurd Soldiers activated in response to COVID-19, financial assistance to support costs associated with remote education, and more.

“USAA has been a dedicated supporter of AER’s mission for many years, and we are grateful to receive this latest grant,” AER Director LTG (R) Ray Mason said. “This newly-announced 2020 gift from the USAA Team is another powerful demonstration of their commitment to America’s military members and their families. USAA is an incredibly generous partner, and on behalf of Army families everywhere, we thank them for their support.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and negative financial impact on military members and their families. According to recent Blue Star Families research, 25 percent of active military families have been separated due to deployment or pandemic-supporting activations. Additionally, 30 percent of military spouses are expected to experience unemployment, nearly four times the level of their civilian peers.

“For nearly a century, USAA’s mission has been to help our members be financially secure and to support them no matter what they face,” USAA President and CEO Wayne Peacock said. “Providing this gift to organizations such as Army Emergency Relief that share our mission to care for military families does double duty. It helps meet the fast-emerging needs that today’s military families and veterans are facing. And it gives these organizations momentum to keep serving as a lifeline for the military community.”

For more information about USAA COVID-19 relief efforts, including more than $30 million in donations to organizations serving military and veteran families, visit usaa.com/coronavirus.

To learn more about AER’s COVID-19 relief efforts or to apply for financial assistance, visit armyemergencyrelief.org/covid19.