Financial Resources

Government Resources:

• Military OneSource  
  Log into Military OneSource for information on where to find help if you are unable to pay housing, medical, legal, or other expenses. Site includes: 

• What to do in a financial emergency 
• Getting help with housing and utility bills 
• Getting help with food and meal expenses 
• Finding medical care and getting help with medical expenses 
• Getting help for a legal emergency 

You can also speak with a personal financial counselor over the phone or video call which may be the easiest way to go.

• Office of Service member Affairs
  A component of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau helps to educate and empower military members, veterans, and their Families in the consumer financial marketplace. 
• Thrift Savings Plan
  A Federal Government-sponsored long-term retirement savings and investment plan, available for both Federal civilian employees and members of the uniformed services.
• U.S. Savings Bond
  A shorter-term savings option with competitive interest rates and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

Non-Government Links:
No Official U.S. Army Endorsement Implied

• American Legion Family Support Network 
  The American Legion's Family Support Network is ready to provide immediate assistance to service personnel and families whose lives have been directly affected by America's war on terror.
• American Red Cross 
  The American Red Cross works under partnership agreements with the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. Types of assistance include financial assistance for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, assistance to avoid privation, etc.
• AmericaServes 
  AmericaServes‘ mission is to empower a coordinated network of service providers in the United States, and equip them with the technological and informational resources needed to efficiently and effectively guide service-members, veterans, and their families to the most appropriate services and resources.
• Army Emergency Relief 
  Army Emergency Relief is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff. AER's sole mission is to help soldiers and their dependents.

AER is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to "Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own". AER provides commanders a valuable asset in accomplishing their basic command responsibility for the morale and welfare of soldiers. 

AER funds are made available to commanders having AER Sections to provide emergency financial assistance to soldiers - active & retired - and their dependents when there is a valid need. AER funds made available to commanders are not limited and are constrained only by the requirement of valid need. For these reasons, the AER assistance program is conducted within the Army structure by major commanders and their installation/organization commanders through AER sections and other related organizations.

• Better Business Bureau Military Line
  Provides specialized education and support services, which meets the needs of active and retired military personnel and their Families. 
• H.E.R.O.E.S. Care 
  H.E.R.O.E.S. Care is an affiliation of program partners working together to provide support to military families in the communities where they live. H.E.R.O.E.S. Care combines the power of national organizations dedicated to providing emergency financial aid, employment opportunities, and mental health care services through a network of specially trained care givers before, during, and after deployment.
• Housing Resources for Military Members
  The National Military Family Association has compiled a great list of resources to help Military Families who are struggling with the pitfalls of the housing crisis. 
• Military Brats Inc Veteran Relief Fund 
  The goal of the Veteran Relief Fund is simple: To provide assistance to the men and women that have sacrificed so much to protect our freedom. We aim to provide emergency funds to our nations vets to help cover those unexpected hardships of life including but not limited to hardship caused by a job loss, auto repair, groceries, past due utility bills, rent assistance, and more! Many other programs exist for our veterans, but most of their requirements make it nearly impossible to receive assistance.
• New Beginnings 
  The purpose of this site is to match family sponsors with those military families that need a helping hand. We encourage military families that need help contact us with their needs and a picture of their military partner. We will post that individuals picture on a page of honor and match your family’s needs with a willing sponsor that will handle one of your bills.
• Operation Once in a Lifetime 
  Operation Once in a Lifetime’s mission is to make the dreams of soldiers and their families come true by providing free financial and moral support. 

Operation Once in a Lifetime was created by a soldier to help other soldiers; a soldier knows what a soldier needs and a Soldier knows what a soldier does not need. A soldier does not need to worry about providing beds for his kids, worrying if his electricity will still be on when he goes home or if his house will be foreclosed on when serving his/her country. A soldier needs a program that will provide free financial assistance regardless of his rank, race, branch of service, physical condition or his deployment status. A soldier needs a program that can help make a life altering contribution when he is in his/her greatest need; Operation Once in a Lifetime is that program.

• Salute, Inc. 
  Salute, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and support of issues facing active military personnel, veterans and their families and to provide financial support through advocacy and fundraising.

We know deployment to active duty, injury and/or the transition back to civilian life can cause military personnel, veterans and their families a great deal of emotional and financial stress. Salute, Inc. helps affected families by providing financial aid for rent/mortgage payments, auto expenses, phone, utility bills, and other everyday living expenses.

• Saveandinvest.org
  A project of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, a free, unbiased resource dedicated to your financial health. Helps you make informed decisions through easy-to-use tools and resources, and arms you with the information you need to protect yourself from investment fraud.
• Thanks to Yanks
  If you know of or are a military member, veteran or immediate family member of a military member or veteran and are in need of assistance (financial or material resources), please complete and submit the form on our website. All requests will be vetted and responded to.
• The Last Mission Project (Operation First Response) 
  Combat PTSD is exasperated by the battle mindset. During combat a Warrior’s duty is to survive and do their best to keep their comrades alive, this can compound the normal sense of survivor guilt, most believe that they have failed their comrades who were killed or severely injured. These emotions isolate the Warrior because they cannot be shared with anyone who has not had the same traumatic experience, which explains the Combat Veteran’s belief that his/her family members or therapist will not understand because they haven’t been there. At the same time studies indicate that talking about the trauma can be the key to unlocking its debilitating grasp. 

OFR has traveled this journey with our wounded Warriors for 6 years, during that time we have experienced the changes they have endured as their journey continues. 
PTSD has become the invisible injury that gone untreated can take its toll on the Veteran by means of alcohol and substance abuse, criminal activities, unemployment, divorce, in severe cases suicide. 

From our experience the financial devastation can be the last straw, it is our hope to alleviate the financial stress for the veteran allowing them to make clear decisions about treatment without the burden of the cost it will have on the family. By receiving treatment and learning to cope with PTSD in a manageable manner we will return more veterans to their families and communities as productive members. As the recipients of their service and sacrifices we have a responsibility to assure their quality of life. 

Operation First Response is the bridge between the Warrior and hope for a promising future, enabling them to concentrate on recovery. Examples of assistance: rent/mortgage, utilities vehicle payment, groceries.

• USA Cares
  USA Cares exists to help bear the burdens of service by providing post-9/11 military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need. Assistance is provided to all branches of service, all components, all ranks while protecting the privacy and dignity of those military families and veterans who request our help.
• VeteransPlus 
  VeteransPlus is a financial literacy organization devoted to improve the quality of life of those who have worn our nation's uniform, and their families by providing unparalleled solutions that focus on financial security and support in pursuing their economic goals. More than creating financial solutions, we add the unique capability of enabling non-profit partners to demonstrate their commitment and concern for America's veterans through financial education and coaching.