Fort Bliss Monitor

Answers provided for your AER questions

Master Sgt. Steve Miller
Public Affairs Chief

Team Bliss is on its way to having another successful Army Emergency Relief fund campaign, post officials say.

As of midday Wednesday, $23,610 – about 19.7 percent of the post goal – had been raised during the first week and a half of the campaign, according to Zenaida Gutierrez, assistant AER officer.

The post AER campaign started April 29 and continues through May 23. The annual campaign raises money to benefit Soldiers and their families during emergencies.

“Every Soldier that comes to see us is one less Soldier that goes to a loan shark downtown,” said Nathaniel Thompson Jr., national director for AER and a retired lieutenant general. “In an average year we save the troops (nationwide) $6 million in interest.”

The following are some frequently asked questions, with answers, about AER:

Who does AER help?

Active-duty Soldiers; National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers on continuous active duty for 30 days or more; Soldiers retired from active duty for longevity or disability; National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers who retired at age 60; family members of all these groups; and surviving spouses and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after retiring.

What can AER do?

AER helps with emergency financial needs for food, rent or utilities; emergency transportation and vehicle repair; funeral expenses; medical or dental expenses and personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen. AER can also give undergraduate scholarships to children of Soldiers.

What kind of assistance can I expect?

An interest-free loan or a grant, if repayment of a loan will cause undue hardship; or part loan and part grant.

What should I bring with me?

Military ID card; Leave and Earnings Statement; emergency leave form or PCS orders and substantiating documents (car-repair estimate, rental agreement, utility bill, etc.).

Can my spouse get AER help if I am away?

Yes. Your spouse should bring proof of a power of attorney, a military ID card and substantiating documents.

Do I have to contribute to AER to get help?

No. If you are eligible for AER assistance and have a valid emergency need, AER will help.

Does AER get its money from the government?

No. AER gets its funds from voluntary contributions from active and Reserve Component Soldiers, retirees and Army civilians; repayment of AER interest-free loans; investment income and unsolicited contributions.

How do I find AER when I need help?

First, see you unit commander. Then go to the AER section at Army Community Service, Bldg. 2494, Ricker Road. For information, contact your unit AER keyworker or visit the AER Web site at www.aerhq.org.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 12, 2005

<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>	Answers provided for your AER questions Master Sgt. Steve Miller Public Affairs Chief Team Bliss is on its way to having another successful Army Emergency Relief fund campaign, post officials say. As of midday Wednesday, $23,610 – about 19.7 percent of the post goal – had been raised during the first week and a half of the campaign, according to Zenaida Gutierrez, assistant AER officer. The post AER campaign started April 29 and continues through May 23. The annual campaign raises money to benefit Soldiers and their families during emergencies. “Every Soldier that comes to see us is one less Soldier that goes to a loan shark downtown,” said Nathaniel Thompson Jr., national director for AER and a retired lieutenant general. “In an average year we save the troops (nationwide) $6 million in interest.” The following are some frequently asked questions, with answers, about AER: Who does AER help? Active-duty Soldiers; National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers on continuous active duty for 30 days or more; Soldiers retired from active duty for longevity or disability; National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers who retired at age 60; family members of all these groups; and surviving spouses and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after retiring. What can AER do? AER helps with emergency financial needs for food, rent or utilities; emergency transportation and vehicle repair; funeral expenses; medical or dental expenses and personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen. AER can also give undergraduate scholarships to children of Soldiers. What kind of assistance can I expect? An interest-free loan or a grant, if repayment of a loan will cause undue hardship; or part loan and part grant. What should I bring with me? Military ID card; Leave and Earnings Statement; emergency leave form or PCS orders and substantiating documents (car-repair estimate, rental agreement, utility bill, etc.). Can my spouse get AER help if I am away? Yes. Your spouse should bring proof of a power of attorney, a military ID card and substantiating documents. Do I have to contribute to AER to get help? No. If you are eligible for AER assistance and have a valid emergency need, AER will help. Does AER get its money from the government? No. AER gets its funds from voluntary contributions from active and Reserve Component Soldiers, retirees and Army civilians; repayment of AER interest-free loans; investment income and unsolicited contributions. How do I find AER when I need help? First, see you unit commander. Then go to the AER section at Army Community Service, Bldg. 2494, Ricker Road. For information, contact your unit AER keyworker or visit the AER Web site at www.aerhq.org.