Financial Readiness and Emergency Assistance - Joint Base Lewis McChord

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Installation Listings

Installation Listing Category

Geographical Address

City
Duty Station(s)
Public Address
Waller Hall 2140 Liggett Ave. BLDG 2140 Joint Base Lewis-McChord 98433 United States
latitude
47.09
longitude
-122.6

Contact Info

DSN
Operator: 357-1110
COMM
+1 (253)967-1453 | Base operator: (253) 967-1110
Operating Hours
Waller Hall closes for cleaning daily at 3:30 p.m. until further notice. | Monday 7:30am-4:00pm Tuesday 7:30am-4:00pm Wednesday 7:30am-4:00pm Thursday 7:30am-4:00pm Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed Federal Holidays Closed

DPFR Financial Readiness Program (FRP)

 

Our purpose is to provide services that support commanders in maintaining unit financial readiness to sustain deployments and to counsel and educate Service members and their Families on financial self-sufficiency.  This is accomplished through prevention education, one-on-one counseling sessions, and support services.

Learning new money management skill sets or improving upon existing money management techniques will enable Service members to become financially independent, which is achieved by living within one’s means, having emergency savings set aside, setting and meeting personal financial goals, and planning for retirement through the use of the Thrift Saving Plan or other investment products.

For information, to make an appointment, or to register for class, call 253-967-1453.

JBLM FRP Brochure

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FRP Counseling Services

Our FRP Specialists also provide specialized classroom instruction to Service members who have been assigned to JBLM as their first duty station out of basic training or AIT.  Spouses are also welcomed and encouraged to attend these classes with their Sponsor.

Service members and Families anticipating PCS relocation, deployment, marriage or divorce, or who are expecting to increase their family size could benefit from the various classes offered or making an appointment with one of the Certified Financial Counselors for an individualized financial counseling session. DoD civilian employees and retirees are also welcome to use the services provided by the FRP Specialists.

To find out more about our services or to make an appointment with one of the Financial Counselors, please call 253-967-1453.

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Financial Classes and Briefings

In addition to prevention education, FRP services include assistance with developing and sustaining a debt reduction plan, credit report review and repair, developing a monthly budget and spending plan, learning to recognize and prioritize spending, consumer advocacy, and assistance with handling consumer complaints to obtain an equitable resolution.  Financial education is taught through briefings and classes in the units, at FRG meetings, and special events.  Scheduled classes that emphasize the importance of managing personal financial affairs are also taught throughout the month. These classes include, but are not limited to:

  • Money management, decreasing debt, budgeting and spending plans
  • Checking account principles and maintenance , identity theft and consumer scams
  • Lending practices, including home loans, car loans, student loans, personal loans, and credit cards
  • Effects of bad credit versus good credit, credit reports and credit scores, car and home buying

Helpful Resources

DoD Briefing Card: Dated 08 September 2020

For Military

• Example: Leave & Earnings Statement (LES) • Payroll Fact Sheet

For DoD Civilians

• Example: Civilian Leave & Earnings Statement (LES) • Civilian Payroll Fact Sheet

Securing the Financial Frontline

Securing the Financial Frontline is your trusted source for financial education.

Financial readiness is mission readiness. Just as you continuously train to achieve readiness in your specialty, so must you continuously train to develop financial readiness. This site offers modules that align with major life events in your military journey, along with videos, calculators and other resources to help you improve your money management skills.

For more information, visit https://www.financialfrontline.org/

MilSpouse Money Mission (MSMM)

MilSpouse Money Mission (MSMM), an official DoD website, provides military spouses with information to help make financial decisions for their families' financial well-being.

For budgeting, paying off debt, tips for a high cost-of-living area, or any personal finance topic, MSMM serves as a great resource for military spouses regardless of their spouse’s pay grade.

For more information, visit https://www.milspousemoneymission.org/

FRP: Thrift Savings Plan and the Blended Retirement System

Information on the Thrift Savings Plan and the Blended Retirement System can be found at the links below:

Publications

 Videos

To view additional videos about the Thrift Savings Plan, click HERE

Army Emergency Relief: AER

AER Overview

Army Emergency Relief (AER) is a private, non-profit organization established to assist Soldiers and their Family members in emergency financial situations due to no fault of their own. Financial assistance is given in the form of an interest-free loan, grant, or combination of the two. Loans are repaid by an allotment.

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AER Appointments

  • By Appointment (intakes & returns): AER is by appointment for intake or returns. Call our office to schedule at 253-967-9852.
  • Walk-ins (emergency travel): Walk-ins are available for emergency travel (Red Cross messages death or illness), privation due to floods, fires or natural disasters.

For after-hours emergencies, contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337.

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Commonly Asked Questions

Who does AER help?

  • Active duty Soldiers (single or married), and their dependents
  • Members of the Army Reserve National Guard (ARNG) and the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on continuous active duty under  Title 10 orders for more than 30 consecutive days and  their dependents
  • ARNG and USAR Soldiers who retired at age 60 and their dependents
  • Surviving spouses and orphans of Soldiers who die while on active duty or after they retired. Survivors can contact JBLM Survivor Outreach Services at 253-967-3672/966-5047 for assistance.

What type of assistance does AER provide?

  • An interest-free loan or a grant, if repayment of loan will cause undue hardship (determined by the AER Officer on a case-by-case basis), or
  • A combination of a loan and grant (determined by the AER Officer on a case-by-case basis)

AER can help with emergency financial needs for:

  • Food, rent or utilities
  • Emergency transportation
  • Funeral expenses
  • Emergency medical/dental expenses
  • Emergency needs when pay is delayed or stolen
  • Give undergraduate-level education scholarships, based primarily on financial needs, to children of Soldiers
  • Provide spouses of active duty Army Soldiers and widow(ers) of Army Soldiers financial assistance to further their education via the AER Stateside Spouse's Education Assistance Program (SEAP)

AER cannot:

  • Finance ordinary leave or vacation
  • Pay fines, divorce or legal fees
  • Help liquidate or consolidate debt
  • Assist with house purchase or home improvements
  • Help purchase or lease a vehicle
  • Cover bad checks or pay credit card bills (including the Government Travel Card)

When visiting AER you should bring the following:

  • Military ID card
  • Most recent end-of-month Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) and mid-month (if applicable)
  • Emergency Leave form (DA Form 31) or PCS orders
  • Substantiating documents related to the assistance your are requesting (i.e. major car repair estimate, rental agreement, eviction notice, utility bill, disconnection notice, etc.)
  • Retirement Statement Account (RSA)

For a complete list of AER Forms, visit https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/resources/ Before you download and complete a form, please confirm with AER which form is required.

You may complete an AER intake sheet, which will be completed before or during your appointment with an AER officer.

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AER Campaign (Mar. 1-May 15)

AER provides interest-free loans and grants during times of distress, as well as scholarships for spouses, surviving spouses and children. Contributions can be made via Personal Check, Allotment, Cash, and via Credit/Debit Card. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Visit www.aerhq.org to contribute or for more information. Call 253-967-9852 for information about JBLM AER Campaign activities.

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AER also offers Educational Assistance and other programs.  Visit https://jblm.armymwr.com/programs/AER for more information.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)

 

Air Force Aid Society Bldg. 100, COL Joe Jackson Blvd. JBLM McChord Field Open Monday - Friday:  0730 - 1630 (Closed Weekends & Federal Holidays) +1 (253) 982-2695 _______________________________ The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the United States Air Force

The Society supports the Air Force Mission by providing worldwide emergency financial assistance to Airmen and their eligible Family members, sponsoring educational assistance programs, and offering an array of base community enhancement programs that have a positive impact on the welfare of Airmen and their Families.  We’re here to meet immediate needs in an emergency.  The Society provides interest-free loans and grants based on the individual situation.

Who does AFAS Help? 

  • Active Duty Air Force members and their dependent Family members
  • Retired Air Force members
  • Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve personnel on extended active duty over 15 days under Title 10, U.S.C.

How does AFAS Help? 

  • an interest-free standard loan
  • a grant
  • a combination of a grant and interest-free loan

The majority of AFAS assistance is provided in the form interest-free loans with repayment of these loans helping to fund future assistance. Grant assistance will be fair and equitable and not be provided simply because an individual has a deficit and cannot repay a loan.

Falcon Loans (Active Duty Only) 

Loan allows Air Force members to receive emergency financial assistance in a more streamlined process.

  • They are intended to meet specific emergency needs
  • Must be paid back within 12 months
  • Have a dollar limit of $1000 or less and must meet all the emergency criteria as a standard loan.

 

How to Receive AFAS Assistance & After-Hours Emergencies

If you are on or near JBLM You can complete an on-line application at the following website:  https://my.afas.org/memberportal.  Once your application is submitted you should call the nearest AFAS office to set up an appointment

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Visit your Air Force Aid Society Section by going to the AFAS office at 100 Colonel Joe Jackson Blvd. on McChord Field or call us at +1 (253) 982-2695 during our duty hours:  Monday thru Friday, 0730-1630.  AFAS Sections are located at Air Force Bases worldwide – most are located at the Airman and Family Readiness Centers.​​​​​​​

If you’re away from JBLM but near an Army Post or Navy/Marine Corps or Coast Guard base: the Air Force Aid Society has reciprocal agreements that allow you to receive assistance through these other agencies.  You can apply for assistance at any of the services emergency relief societies.

AFAS also has a reciprocal agreement with the American Red Cross.  If you’re not near a military installation, contact the Red Cross at +1 (877) 272-7337 to do a referral to AFAS.

AFAS After-Hours Emergencies (evenings and weekends):  Call the American Red Cross at +1 (877) 272-7337 or you can call your unit First Sergeant will who will be able to contact a local AFAS representative.

 

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