Emergency Financial Assistance

The Red Cross works with the military aid societies (Army Emergency Relief, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance). This partnership helps to provide financial assistance for emergency travel which requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day (food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.).

In 2001, the American Red Cross, in partnership with the military aid societies, provided $3,252,496.80 in emergency financial aid to 3,786 service members, their families, retired military personnel and widows of retired military personnel.

In 2002, the Red Cross administered a new assistance program that National Guard and Reserve troops could tap when no other financial resources were available.

How to obtain emergency financial assistance:

• Active duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members can call the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for help seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number is available through base or installation operators and from local on-base Red Cross offices.
  
• Members of the National Guard and Reserves and retirees may access assistance through their local Red Cross chapter. In Portage County contact Armed Forces Services at 715-344-4052. Other Red Cross chapters are listed in local telephone books and on the American Red Cross Web site http://www.redcross.org/where/where.html.
  
• On overseas military installations, military personnel may access assistance through their local on-base Red Cross office.
  
• In overseas deployment areas, contact the American Red Cross staff who are working directly with America's military to provide Red Cross services.