Relief Agency Eases Access

Most soldiers who face financial hardships will have easier access to the agency directly responsible for helping them in such situations. Army Emergency Relief (AER) now will allow soldiers to apply directly for assistance, rather than waiting for command referral. All soldiers are eligible except for those in basic training, advanced infantry training, and less than one year in service. The agency made the change in recognition that many soldiers are hesitant to take their financial problems to their chain of command. As a result, too many of them end up relying upon procuring loans from predatory lenders.