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Military Relief Societies: Emergency Loans and Grants

By CalculateBenefits Editorial Team · Reviewed by Mark Phaneuf, Publisher · September 2026

Military relief societies can provide interest-free loans, grants, or other help during a money emergency. Each service branch has its own nonprofit group.

Help may cover food, rent, utilities, car repair, emergency travel, or other basic needs. The group reviews each case.

Which relief society serves each branch?

• Army: Army Emergency Relief
• Navy and Marine Corps: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
• Air Force and Space Force: Air & Space Forces Aid Society
• Coast Guard: Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

A member, eligible family member, retiree, or survivor may have a path. Reserve and Guard rules differ by group and duty status.

What needs may be covered?

Common needs include:

• Rent, food, and power bills
• Emergency travel for a death or serious illness
• Urgent car repair needed for work or duty
• Health or dental costs not paid elsewhere
• Moving, disaster, or funeral costs
• Some child care or education needs

Not every group pays every need. It may pay a bill straight to the company instead of giving cash.

Is the help a loan or a grant?

It can be either. Many cases use an interest-free loan. A grant may be used when repayment would cause more harm or when a set grant program fits.

Do not assume the word “grant” means every applicant gets free money. A caseworker reviews the need, budget, service link, and ability to repay.

Who can apply?

Active-duty members and eligible family members are common groups. Retirees, survivors, Guard members, and reservists may also qualify under each society's rules.

Call the society tied to the member's branch. If you are away from a base, one military relief group or the Red Cross may help route an urgent case.

What papers should you gather?

• Military ID and service facts
• Recent pay statement
• Bank balance and monthly budget
• The bill, repair bid, or travel proof
• Orders or leave papers when they matter
• Proof of the emergency

Do not wait for every paper if food, shelter, or safety is at risk. Call and ask what can be sent later.

How fast can help arrive?

Urgent cases may move fast, but there is no one time promise. The group needs to check eligibility and the request.

Say if you face eviction, loss of power, no food, unsafe travel, or a duty problem. That helps the worker see the true deadline.

How do you apply safely?

1. Start at the official relief society site for the branch.
2. Call or open its secure application.
3. Explain the need and due date.
4. Send the proof the worker asks for.
5. Read loan terms before you sign.

The societies do not charge an application fee. Do not pay a middleman or send military records through a link from an unknown message.

What other help should you check?

Military OneSource offers free money counseling and can point you to more support. A local base family readiness office can also help.

If the service member has left the military, check our veterans benefits hub. A survivor can also read our VA DIC guide.