The Financial Readiness Program at Army Community Service combines services offered by the Consumer Affairs and Financial Assistance program and Army Emergency Relief. We offer a wide range of services to assist active duty and retired military, their ID card family members and
Department of the Army civilian employees with their financial affairs. Our goal is to help you save money, live within your means, and invest for the future. We want to help families prevent financial difficulties before they arise.
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A private non-profit organization incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff. AER’s mission is to provide emergency financial assistance to Soldiers. Assistance is provided to:
- Active duty Soldiers and their ID card family members.
- ARNG and USAR Soldiers on continuous active duty for more than 30 days (Title 10) and their ID card family members.
- Soldiers retired from active duty for longevity or physical disability and their ID card family members.
- ARNG and USAR Soldiers who retired at age 60 and their ID card family members.
- Surviving spouses and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after they retired.
For more information, please call (803) 751-5256 or send an email to Angela Crosland, or Madelyn Mercado to usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@mail.mil.
AER Helps With Funds For:
• Food, rent or utilities
• Emergency transportation expenses
• Vehicle repair
• Funeral expenses
• Medical/dental expenses
• Personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen
AER also provides undergraduate-level education SCHOLARSHIPS based primarily on financial need, to children & spouses of soldiers (active & retired). For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, go to http://www.aerhq.org/dnn563/EducationalAssistance.aspx
AER Assistance will be given as:
• An interest-free loan
• A grant (an outright gift of funds) if repayment of loan will cause undue hardship
• Part loan and part grant
To apply for AER assistance, call (803) 751-5256 or send an email to Angela Crosland, usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@mail.mil , to schedule an appointment to meet with a caseworker after the AER application has been reviewed and approved by your unit Commander and/or 1SG. (Retirees do not require unit approval). Bring the following documents to your appointment:
• AER Form 600 or 700 ( Please link to http://www.aerhq.org/section_usermanblank.asp)
• Military ID card
• Most recent end of month Leave and Earning Statement
• Proof of other household income
• Substantiating documents
(Emergency Leave Form, military orders, car repair estimate, utility bill, etc.)
• Power of Attorney (required for spouses)
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Emergency Financial Assistance
We provide zero interest loans, grants, or a combination thereof using Army Emergency Relief (AER) funds for emergency situations being experienced by Soldiers (active or retired) and/or their immediate families. We also provide emergency food assistance. Financial assistance is not available for DA civilian employees. To schedule an appointment for financial assistance, please call (803) 751-5256.
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Emergency Food Assistance
Short-term emergency food assistance is available to active and retired Soldiers and their ID card family members. Assistance is given in the form of a check written out to the Fort Jackson commissary. For more information, please call (803) 751-5256 or send an email to Angela Crosland, or Madelyn Mercado at usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@mail.mil .
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Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is an integral part of mission readiness and quality of life. ACS offers classes in personal financial management readiness and consumer affairs so you can gain control over your finances and manage your money more effectively. The goal of this training is to provide you with the tools to handle your money wisely and to make informed consumer decisions. Classes can be tailored to meet your needs. To schedule a class or to obtain more information, please call us at 751-5256. Click here for a list of classes offere.
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Financial Counseling Services
Soldiers and their family members are given the opportunity to meet with a financial counselor to discuss the management of their personal finances. The counselor develops a personal financial analysis to determine the household’s monthly living expenses and a budget is established, with an emphasis on managing personal finances and tracking spending habits. The financial counselor also offers assistance in bankruptcy counseling, the home & car buying process, credit repair, & repaying creditors. Clients will be given financial intake forms that must be filled out prior to the counseling session. In order to make an accurate assessment of the financial situation, you must bring the following to your appointment along with the ACS Financial Readiness Program Intake Sheets:
- Most recent end of month LES
- Spouse’s earning statement(s) for the past month
- Proof of any other household income
- Most recent statement(s) from creditor(s) indicating current balance, interest rate, and minimum payment
- Checkbook and most recent bank statement
To schedule an appointment to meet with a financial counselor, call (803) 751-5256.
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Debt Liquidation Assistance
Assisting clients in contacting creditors and developing a repayment plan to liquidate debts. This program is done in conjunction with Consumer Credit Counseling in Columbia, SC. If you find yourself in the position of considering loan consolidation, you may be headed for financial difficulty and may need to discuss your situation with a financial counselor. The following are danger signs:
- More than 15-20% of your take home pay is used for credit payments (excluding home mortgage)
- You have one or more loans from a lending company at 20% APR or higher
- You screen your phone calls because bill collectors are calling frequently
- You use credit cards impulsively
- You routinely use your overdraft protection
- You do not pay your bills on time
- You pay only the minimum amount required on your credit cards every month
- You are taking out loans from advance check cashing and payday places
- Your car loan is financed at 12% APR or higher
If one or more of the above describes you or your spouse, do not wait! Stop by ACS, Bldg. 5450 Strom Thurmond Blvd. or call us at (803) 751-5256 to schedule an appointment to meet with a financial counselor.
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Consumer Advocacy/Complaint Resolution Services
Information is provided to help the Fort Jackson military community make educated consumer decisions and feedback is provided to commanders on consumer issues affecting our Soldiers. Informational pamphlets are available on many consumer issues. If you feel that your consumer rights have been violated, you can file a consumer complaint with us by submitting DA Form 5184 (Consumer Complaint) and copies of relevant documents that would help the consumer advocate speak on your behalf (e.g. warranty papers, bill of sale, correspondence with merchant, etc). To schedule an appointment to meet with a consumer advocate, call (803) 751-5256.
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Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance
(FSSA) Pre-screening
Pre-screening and counseling for Soldiers who qualify for the FSSA entitlement. FSSA is an entitlement authorized by Congress in 2001 and created to supplement the Soldier’s Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). This entitlement will not exceed $500 per month.
The application for FSSA is web-based & can be found at: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/fssa/. Soldiers who believe they are eligible for this entitlement need to contact ACS at (803) 751-5256 and schedule an appointment to meet with the financial counselor.
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