Military Saves Articles

Resources for Military Families during the COVID-19 Crisis

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Information

Military OneSource COVID19 Information

Veterans Crisis Line Call 800-273-8255, chat online, or text 838255

Military Service Relief Organizations.

Depending on the circumstances, service relief organizations provide emergency financial help with interest-free loans, grants, or a combination of loans and grants. They can also offer financial preparedness counseling and tuition assistance.

Air Force Aid Society - Aside from their regular emergency assistance, AFAS is offering virtual schooling grants and college education assistance for families impacted by COVID19.

Army Emergency Relief - In addition to their regular offerings of loans/grants, AER is offering childcare, remote education, and tutoring assistance.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance - While CGMA does not have COVID-specific offerings, they offer a wide range of assistance with everything from education and housing to layette packages, PCS childcare reimbursement, and rental car assistance for service members moving overseas.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) - In addition to their traditional financial assistance, NMCRS is offering an interest-free Covid-19 Rapid Response loan that allows clients to borrow up to $1500, even if they have an outstanding balance on other loans.

Other Organizations

AFCPE- Talk to a qualified financial counselor or coach - for free. Thanks to the generosity of the Wells Fargo Foundation, and in partnership with Yellow Ribbon Network, AFCPE® certified financial counselors and coaches are now offering unbiased and fully confidential virtual financial counseling and coaching sessions – free to individuals and families who are struggling with the financial implications of COVID-19.

Gary Sinise Foundation M ilitary service members, veterans, first responders, and their families affected by COVID-19 canapply for financial assistance through an initiative of the Foundation’s Relief and Resiliency program, called H.O.P.E. (heal, overcome, persevere, and excel).

Independence Fund - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Independence Fund launched Independence@Home, an emergency program to directly support its catastrophically disabled Veterans, Caregivers, and families.

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) - The MOAA Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund offers financial assistance for currently serving (including National Guard and Reserve), spouses of currently serving, veterans (with an honorable discharge), and caregivers of the same who are experiencing an unexpected, short-term financial setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Open to all ranks and U.S. uniformed services. Preference will be given to those who are not eligible for support from service relief societies.

Operation Homefront - During the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire Operation Homefront family is fully focused on ensuring military families receive the financial assistance they urgently need – when they need it. With this commitment in mind, we will continue to accept and process immediate requests for assistance outside the normal monthly application cycle.

Operation HOPE - The Operation HOPE mini-grant program is designed to provide HOPE clients with a meaningful impact to improve their financial well-being during this difficult time.

Penfed Foundation (application process currently suspended, but may reopen; Foundation also has other financial assistance options).

Red Cross Financial Assistance - The American Red Cross works in partnership with military aid societies to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. Assistance can include funds for emergency travel, the burial of a loved one, emergency food, and shelter, etc.

Education

GI Bill Benefits to continue . Students with questions can contact the VA’s Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET on weekdays

Income Taxes

Tax Day for 2020 Tax Year Extended - Deadline is now May 17, 2021

IRS Coronavirus tax relief - Economic Impact Payments

IRS Check Status of Stimulus Check

MilTax ServicesMilitary OneSource – free tax filing to get a refund now; call 800-342-9647 to connect with a MilTax consultant

Other Resources

Digital Resources for Military Families

Through the MWR Digital Library Portal, families can access many FREE, useful resources including:

• Tutoring - free tutoring for military families through Tutor.com
• Major daily newspapers
• Consumer Reports
• National geographic plus most magazines
• Ebooks, audiobooks, comics, and graphic novels
• Research tools such as Britannica Library, Gale Academic Onefile, Morningstar, Ancestry.com
• Mango Languages

Through Blue Star Families, military families can enjoy free memberships to:

1. Headspace – access meditation and mindfulness content for free with a membership to this app (valued at $95.88)
2. Thrive Market – receive a free membership (valued at $59.95) to shop and ship best-selling natural and organic products at wholesale prices right to your doorstep
3. Caribu – enjoy books focused on military children in the app’s dedicated Blue Star Families category

Financial Information

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - Financial help for service members affected by the coronavirus

FINRA Foundation FINRA is committed to providing guidance, updates, and other information to help stakeholders stay informed about the latest developments.

National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Coronavirus Financial Toolkit

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) COVID-19 Information for Bankers and Consumers

Mortgage/Rental Relief

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

• Mortgage relief options and protections
• New relief for renters
• Eviction relief for renters extended until March 31, 2021

Foreclosure Moratorium and Forbearance Deadline Extension until March 31, 2021

Scams

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Coronavirus advice for consumers

Student Loans

Federal Student Aid – Coronavirus and forbearance information for students, borrowers, and parents

Covid Emergency Relief extended through at least September 30, 2021

DOD Resources

Military Personnel Q/A