AER sets record for assistance

Headquarters, Army Emergency Relief announced a record year in providing emergency financial and educational assistance to Soldiers and their families in 2008.

Total AER assistance reached $83 million – up from the $74 million of assistance in 2007.
During 2008, AER handled 66,000 cases of financial assistance for unexpected financial stress including emergency travel, housing, car repair, utilities, medical expenses, funeral costs and disaster relief, along with support to surviving families of fallen Soldiers and grants to widows and wounded warriors.

Financial assistance in 2008 represents an overall 12 percent increase over 2007 levels. While some of this increase may be related to the economy, AER also credits its efforts to improve access to AER assistance through the Command Referral and Retired Soldier outreach programs. The Command Referral Program gives company / battery commanders and first sergeants the authority to approve up to $1,000 in interest-free loans for their Soldiers and provides a meaningful way for unit leaders to be directly involved in addressing financial problems of their Soldiers.

The AER Retired Soldier Outreach effort is conducted during the Annual Campaign to provide an opportunity for retirees to make donations as well as provide
information on how to obtain assistance if needed. In support of its education program, AER disbursed $12.1 million in scholarships to more than 5,600 children and spouses of Soldiers.

AER Scholarship programs include the MG James Ursano Scholarship Program for dependent children, the Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program for spouses of active-duty Soldier’s assigned and living in Overseas Commands, and the Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program.

Full details on these programs, including eligibility requirements and application deadlines, may be found on the AER Web site at  www.aerhq.org. AER assistance is available to Soldiers and their families wherever they are located, and the amount of assistance is only limited by a valid need. Soldiers and their family members requiring AER assistance can contact their unit chain of command or go to their local installation AER office. USAG Kaiserslautern’s AER Office is located in Bldg. 2917 on  Pulaski Barracks. The office can be contacted by calling 493-4151/4221 or 0631-3406-4151/4221.

For details on AER’s assistance programs, contact Arabella Quick, USAG Kaiserslautern’s AER
officer, at arabella.quick@eur.army.mil.
(Courtesy of Army Emergency Relief)