Where can families with special needs receive financial assistance? Installation Personal Financial Management Program — The Personal Financial Management Program is available through each service branch to help military members control their finances and successfully plan for their financial futures. The program provides classes, one-on-one counseling sessions and additional information designed to educate service members and their families about consumer rights and to help them achieve financial stability. TRICARE Debt Collection Assistance Officers — TRICARE debt collection assistance officers are located at military treatment facilities and TRICARE regional offices to assist in resolving health care collection-related issues. Contact a DCAO if you have received a negative credit rating or are dealing with a collection agency due to an issue related to TRICARE services. Military aid societies — Military aid societies are private, nonprofit organizations that support each of the services. They provide emergency financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans and grants to active and retired service members and their families. These include Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. Social Security Administration — The Social Security Administration may provide disability and Supplemental Security Insurance benefits. Use The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool to answer specific questions. The tool will list benefits for which you might be qualified and provide more information about how to apply. Military OneSource — Financial counseling is also available through Military OneSource. You can access confidential, short-term, problem-solving financial counseling through face-to-face or phone sessions to address a wide range of financial issues, at no cost. To contact Military OneSource by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call 800-342-9647.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:12:15 +0000