On May 7th, Army Emergency Relief announced additional support for U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) and Army National Guard (ARNG) Soldiers during the COVID-19 crisis. USAR and ARNG Soldiers rank E-6 or below are now eligible for financial assistance to pay insurance premiums for Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), and TRICARE Reserve Select.
The COVID-19 crisis has forced the cancellation of most in-person Battle Assembly drills. Without such drills, USAR and ARNG Soldiers are unable to earn their reserve component pay, including insurance benefits. To address this hardship, AER worked with USAR and ARNG leadership to rapidly deploy assistance for Soldiers most impacted by cancelled Battle Assemblies.
Assistance for TRICARE Reserve Select, SGLI, and FSGLI insurance premiums is limited to USAR and ARNG Soldiers rank E-6 or below. As with most AER assistance, completion of a Budget Planning Sheet is required and assistance will be provided through a zero-interest loan, grant, or a blend of both. Repayment of a loan may be deferred up to 90 days.