Other Services to Military Families
|
Members of the U. S. Armed Forces don't have to be actively deployed to benefit from American Red Cross support. Our services are available to all branches of the military. The American Red Cross wants members of the military to Get to Know Us before You Need Us. All too often, service members don't know about available Red Cross services until they are mobilized. Knowing in advance that communication links, access to financial assistance and counseling will be available in an emergency brings peace of mind to the military members and to the families from whom they are separated.
Military families and personnel can get help and information 24/7 by calling our hotline at 1-888-737-4306
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.).
Counseling
The American Red Cross offers confidential services to all military personnel — active duty, National Guard and Reserves — and their families. Counseling, guidance, information, referrals and other social services are available through our worldwide network of chapters and offices on military installations.
As more and more National Guard and Reserve units are called to full-time duty status, counseling has become increasingly important to prepare the civilian-based military members and their families for the period of activation. Because members of the National Guard and Reserve typically live in civilian neighborhoods, they and their families frequently have difficulty accessing much-needed, military-related social services.
Services for Veterans
The American Red Cross provides assistance and information to veterans about the Department of Veterans Affairs. Red Cross workers assist veterans in the preparation of claims for financial benefits through the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Also, through the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services, Red Cross volunteers provide a number of support services to patients in VA medical centers. Services provided by Red Cross volunteers may include physical rehabilitation, social work, general ward help and information, library work, nursing and administration.
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.
- 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 — should contact their local American Red Cross chapter for assistance. The Connecticut Regional Chapter's Military Services Hotline is 1-888-737-4306.
- Members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families should contact their local Red Cross chapter. The Connecticut Regional Chapter's Military Services Hotline is 1-888-737-4306.
- 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.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
