Fort Bliss Monitor

Fort Bliss one of three test sites for new AER program

Master Sgt. Steve Miller
Public Affairs Chief

Fort Bliss Soldiers requesting emergency financial assistance through Army Emergency Relief now have a simpler, more expeditious way to meet their needs under a new program designed to streamline the process.
The new program, known simply as Commander’s Referral, allows a Soldier’s unit commander the authority to approve a loan of up to $500 for immediate valid financial needs. The initiative is designed to simplify and expedite emergency financial assistance for Soldiers, AER officials say.

“We’re excited that we’ve been selected to be a test bed for the Army for this program,” said Janice Gamel, post AER coordinator. “If we get the Soldier’s request before 11 a.m., we can have a check ready in the afternoon. If the request comes in after 11, the check will be ready the next day.”

Active duty Soldiers, as well as activated members of the National Guard and Army Reserve, may request up to $500 in AER funds by submitting a completed DA Form 1103 to their unit commander. The commander will decide whether or not the Soldier’s request is reasonable, justifiable and necessary. If the commander recommends approval, the Soldier takes the request and a current Leave and Earnings Statement to the local AER office, where a check is issued and an allotment for repayment of the loan is prepared. Reserve Component personnel will also need a copy of the orders which activated them.

The following conditions apply:
• The AER office confirms eligibility for assistance before issuing a check – if the Soldier does not meet eligibility under the Commander’s Referral program, a check will not be issued. AER will inform the commander of the final decision.
• Soldiers may only obtain loans twice a year under the Commander’s Referral program, and the existing loan must be paid before additional assistance is authorized.
• Repayment must be by allotment before ETS and must be done in 12 months or less.
• Soldiers cannot be on AER’s restricted list.
• Assistance under the Commander’s Referral program is always done as a loan. No grants are authorized.
The Commander’s Referral is not designed to replace existing categories or procedures for Soldiers seeking AER assistance. It is intended as a tool for commanders to have a mechanism to assist their Soldiers with short-term problems or needs for basic living expenses, AER officials say.

“AER has always given commanders considerable flexibility in the implementation of local AER sections,” Gamel said in a press release. “This new category is just an extension of that flexibility. However, commanders are still required to operate AER sections within existing guidelines while ensuring they distinguish between Soldiers’ wants and needs, and to provide AER assistance to all Soldiers in a fair and equitable manner.”

Commanders who do not wish to approve assistance under the Commander’s Referral but think the Soldier still has a valid need for AER assistance may recommend approval and forward Soldiers’ requests to the AER office for processing under other existing procedures, AER sources said.

Gamel said she may be contacted at 568-7088 by units interested in undergoing training about the Comman-der’s Referral program.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 28, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Fort Bliss one of three test sites for new AER program Master Sgt. Steve Miller Public Affairs Chief Fort Bliss Soldiers requesting emergency financial assistance through Army Emergency Relief now have a simpler, more expeditious way to meet their needs under a new program designed to streamline the process. The new program, known simply as Commander’s Referral, allows a Soldier’s unit commander the authority to approve a loan of up to $500 for immediate valid financial needs. The initiative is designed to simplify and expedite emergency financial assistance for Soldiers, AER officials say. “We’re excited that we’ve been selected to be a test bed for the Army for this program,” said Janice Gamel, post AER coordinator. “If we get the Soldier’s request before 11 a.m., we can have a check ready in the afternoon. If the request comes in after 11, the check will be ready the next day.” Active duty Soldiers, as well as activated members of the National Guard and Army Reserve, may request up to $500 in AER funds by submitting a completed DA Form 1103 to their unit commander. The commander will decide whether or not the Soldier’s request is reasonable, justifiable and necessary. If the commander recommends approval, the Soldier takes the request and a current Leave and Earnings Statement to the local AER office, where a check is issued and an allotment for repayment of the loan is prepared. Reserve Component personnel will also need a copy of the orders which activated them. The following conditions apply: • The AER office confirms eligibility for assistance before issuing a check – if the Soldier does not meet eligibility under the Commander’s Referral program, a check will not be issued. AER will inform the commander of the final decision. • Soldiers may only obtain loans twice a year under the Commander’s Referral program, and the existing loan must be paid before additional assistance is authorized. • Repayment must be by allotment before ETS and must be done in 12 months or less. • Soldiers cannot be on AER’s restricted list. • Assistance under the Commander’s Referral program is always done as a loan. No grants are authorized. The Commander’s Referral is not designed to replace existing categories or procedures for Soldiers seeking AER assistance. It is intended as a tool for commanders to have a mechanism to assist their Soldiers with short-term problems or needs for basic living expenses, AER officials say. “AER has always given commanders considerable flexibility in the implementation of local AER sections,” Gamel said in a press release. “This new category is just an extension of that flexibility. However, commanders are still required to operate AER sections within existing guidelines while ensuring they distinguish between Soldiers’ wants and needs, and to provide AER assistance to all Soldiers in a fair and equitable manner.” Commanders who do not wish to approve assistance under the Commander’s Referral but think the Soldier still has a valid need for AER assistance may recommend approval and forward Soldiers’ requests to the AER office for processing under other existing procedures, AER sources said. Gamel said she may be contacted at 568-7088 by units interested in undergoing training about the Comman-der’s Referral program.