Emergency Travel Financial Assistance

The Red Cross works with the military aid societies (Army Emergency Relief, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance). This partnership helps to provide financial assistance for emergency travel that requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day (food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.).

In 2003, the American Red Cross, in partnership with the military aid societies, provided $5,387,846 in emergency financial aid to 6,457 service members, their families, retired military personnel and widows of retired military personnel.

How to access Red Cross services

• Active duty service members stationed in the United States and family members residing in the service member's household (example: service member's spouse) should contact Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for information and assistance 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number may be obtained from military installation operators, from local on-base Red Cross offices and from the local Red Cross chapter - contact us at (256) 536-0084 x 310.. Or e-mail us E-mail Red Cross.

• All family members who do not reside in the service member's household, regardless of where the service member is assigned — at a local military installation or another geographical location — contact us at (256) 536-0084 x 310. Or e-mail us E-mail Red Cross.  

• Members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families should contact us at (256) 536-0084 x 310. Or e-mail us E-mail Red Cross.

• Active duty service members on overseas military installations may access Red Cross reporting and communication assistance by contacting base/installation operators for the listing of the on-base Red Cross office or information on how to access Red Cross assistance if there is not a representative on the local installation.

• Families living overseas may access assistance through the local on-base Red Cross office or through the base/installation operator for information if there is not a Red Cross representative on the local installation.

• In overseas deployment areas, service members should contact the American Red Cross office responsible for their jurisdiction/installation.

Note, when applying for financial assistance the same procedures are followed; however, applications are reviewed by the respective military aid societies and are approved by the respective aid society.