Case Studies from the Four Military
Aid Organizations

• Air Force Aid Society
• Army Emergency Relief
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

From Air Force Aid Society

1. In 2010, I adopted my special needs sister. I was terrified because it seemed I was upside down in my finances. Being a single parent of a 15 year old for the first time was a challenge in itself and with the added financial issues, it was very overwhelming. I came into our Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) and spoke with a lovely lady named Debbie who really went above and beyond to help me with my situation. Debbie worked with the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) and they assisted me in a way that made me speechless. Not only did they give me money to go pick up my sister in Indiana, but also provided money for food and hotel expenses. They even provided assistance to get my sister a bedroom set including the comforter and sheets! My sister and I were so delighted. I will never be able to fully thank AFAS and the A&FRC for what they did for me and my sister. We will forever hold a place in our hearts for their exceptional efforts to increase my morale and ease my mind so that I can be an effective parent as well as work stress-free. I am forever grateful and thank those who have donated and assisted to make the Air Force Aid Society possible.   ~ A1C Yulonda Murphy
2. AFAS assisted an active duty Master Sergeant assigned to Scott AFB with a $3000 grant to purchase special medical equipment to assist his 4 year old daughter who has Cerebral Palsy (CP). This Discovery Series bike allows severely handicapped children with CP get around either by themselves or someone pushing from behind.

From Army Emergency Relief

1. Spouse of deployed soldier requested assistance with travel from California to Washington.  While visiting her family for Christmas the family car broke down and she didn’t have enough money to pay for the repairs.  Army Emergency Relief was able to assist her with the necessary repairs to get back on the road but she was also helped with motel and food while waiting for the repair work.  Even though she was stranded in a rural area she was able to process her request through the American Red Cross Call Center to get emergency assistance from the aid society. 
2. The spouse of an activated National Guard soldier was assisted with funds to move herself and her children into an apartment after her husband was deployed.  While preparing for deployment the soldier was placed on several short term active duty tours so he was unable to continue working at his civilian job.  Problems with payments for the short activations had caused them to fall behind on their rent and they were eventually evicted.  Army Emergency Relief was able to assist her with funds for the initial rent and deposits on a new apartment and also with money to pay the utility bills from the previous residence so that she could get them turned on in the new apartment. 
3. Army Emergency Relief purchases a gift membership with Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association for all survivors of fallen active duty soldiers.  A recent survivor expressed that she was extremely grateful for her membership and praised her Financial Advisor for helping her to obtain DIC from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Her plan until the aid society stepped in to help was to sell her home to make ends meet.  She calls us “her guardian angel.”

From Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

1. Tyler and Jennifer were reluctant to have a Combat Casualty Assistance (CCA) Visiting Nurse make a home visit, but finally the nurse convinced them to let her stop by. When she arrived and asked how they were doing, Tyler gave his standard “we’re fine” reply. The nurse drilled deeper, asking Tyler how he was sleeping. He said he slept only a couple of hours a night, but assured the nurse that his nightmares didn’t interfere with Jennifer’s sleep. From Jennifer’s expression, the nurse got a different picture. As the conversation continued, it became clear that this was a family that wasn’t “fine.” The nurse connected them to the Society.  Tyler and Jennifer needed food and gas money and other assistance which the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provided. The CCA nurse arranged for their baby to be seen by a pediatrician immediately – which was fortuitous. The baby was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Many families or service members don’t want to admit that they are having problems. They feel that they should be able to handle things on their own. Skilled professionals like the Society’s CCA nurses can quickly size up these family situations, determine what’s needed, and orchestrate the support required for families like Tyler and Jennifer.

2. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Imagine your bewilderment and frustration if you came home from a seven-month deployment and found an eviction notice on the door of your apartment.  That is just what greeted a San Diego-based Chief Petty Officer upon his return from a WestPac cruise.  To make sure things went smoothly while his ship was underway, the Chief established an allotment to pay the rent on the family’s apartment directly from his Navy pay. What he couldn’t anticipate was that while he was gone, his landlord sold the property. His prompt monthly payment continued to go to the old landlord’s business address. That money was never forwarded to the new landlord. The new owner began sending correspondence to the Chief at his home address. The correspondence was addressed to just him, so his wife put it away awaiting her husband’s return. He came to the San Diego Office of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society even before unpacking his sea bag. He was confused, worried and angry that he had 72 hours to produce back payment on his apartment or vacate the premises. A Caseworker unraveled the pieces to the situation and took prompt action, giving him a check to cover the accumulated rent due, an alert to the local Navy housing office to advise them that other service members may have gotten into the same jam, and making an appointment for him with the Navy Legal Services Office so he would have help in confronting the unscrupulous former property owner and get his money back.

Military families that face unexpected problems can turn to a skilled caseworker and get the emergency financial assistance they need to solve a problem. The Society has been doing it for 106 years.

From Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

1. The daughter of an active duty E-6 suffers from a blood disorder that has resulted in serious tooth deterioration.  Extensive dental intervention is necessary to prevent bacteria from entering her bloodstream.  Insurance covers a portion of the cost, however the member doesn’t have the resources immediately available to cover the patient share.  He receives a loan to help with the cost of the dental work.
2. A service member had to replace the roof of his home because of severe damage caused by hurricane Isabel.   Insurance covered only a portion of the entire replacement cost, and the member was unable to finance the rest.  He received a CGMA loan to help make up the difference.
3. While underway aboard a high endurance cutter, a service member learned that his young son had been struck by an automobile and seriously injured.  He flew home on emergency leave to be with his wife and son.  They found that his son’s extensive injuries would require his wife to give up her job for several months to provide the care needed.  With the loss of income, they were temporarily unable to cover their monthly expenses.  CGMA provided an interest-free loan to cover the emergency airfare and help with monthly expenses.