Why doesn't the Army offer Emergency Loans to Reservists?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 12:38:39 -0400

I know the Army offers emergency assistance loans to active duty soldiers and those that are on active duty status, but do not offer anything for Reservists. Why not and do you think they should? I think a Reservist may actually need help more often than an Active Duty soldier. PFC Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth PVT James Strait SSG Private RallyPoint Member Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Jack Durish COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 11 at 2018 12:51 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 12:51:57 -0400

That's a really good question Cody, have you asked anyone from the local V A office or your unit admin about this.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2018 1:40 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:40:39 -0400

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member - Unfortunately, they financially can’t open those loans up to reservist. Because they would not have the assurance of being able to dock your pay if needed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2018 2:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:24:00 -0400

The army does not do loans for service members, although you can get an advanced pay for one month's pay that is paid back over the course of a year.
The Army emergency relief fund is not an army entity, it is a nonprofit organization, and so they can make whatever rules they choose. As everyone stated, the reason they do not offer loans to reservists is that they are not guaranteed have their funds paid back.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 12 at 2018 12:06 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 00:06:40 -0400

AER is not the Army. AER does not receive any appropriated or non-appropriated government money. It is a private non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization. AR930-4 covers the relationship between AER and the Army.

Who is eligible?
Soldiers on active duty and their eligible dependents.
Soldiers retired from active duty because of longevity, or retired upon reaching age 60 (Reserve Component) and their eligible Family members.
Widows(ers) and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or while retired.
Medically retired Soldiers and their eligible Family members.
Members of the Reserve Component of the Army (Army National Guard and Army Reserve under Title 10 U.S.C.) on continuous active duty for more than 30 consecutive days and their eligible Family members.

Army Reserve has this program. https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/army-reserve-family-programs-fort-family-outreach-and-support

National Guard relief organizations vary state to state. At this link, Illinois and Mississippi had organizations right off hand. http://www.operationwearehere.com/FinancialAssistance.html

Army Reserve Family Programs: Fort Family Outreach and Support | RallyPoint

FORT FAMILY IS HERE FOR YOU 24/7 Connecting Soldiers and Families with the Right Service at the Right Time. Fort Family Outreach and Support Center provides relevant and responsive information to support Army Reserve Soldiers and Families. Live Support 24/7, 365 DAYS Fort Family provides a single gateway to responsive Family Crisis Assistance, available 24/7, 365 days a year. It provides a unit and community based solution to connect people to...