Application for Family Fund: [Fund Request Form] [Financial Worksheet] 

        Emergency Relief Fund                                                              Family Assistance Fund                       
(AZ Army and Air National Guard Soldiers not mobilized)          (Families of AZ Reserve Components who are mobilized under Presidential Order)
                              CSM Craig                                                                            Danielle Salomon                                                   
                 Com: 602.267.2604                                                                    Com:  602.267.2731 
                 Fax:   602.267.2432                                                                    Fax:    602.267.2954
           Karen.Craig@az.ngb.army.mil                                                     Danielle. Salomon@azdema.gov
 

ARNG Emergency Relief Fund
(ARNG-ERF)  

Purpose: The Arizona Army National Guard Emergency Relief Fund (ARNG-ERF) was established to provide short term, emergency financial assistance in the form of loans or grants to AZ National Guard Soldier's and /or families impacted by mobilization and deployment.  All funding for the ARNG-ERF is received by donations individual or businesses.  ARNG-ERF is the AZ  National Guards’ own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to “Helping the Guard take care of It’s own.  ARNG-ERF provides a valuable means to assist and improve the morale and welfare of Arizona RC members.

Background:  ARNG-ERF was incorporated in 1996 as an independent 501.C.3 nonprofit corporation, devoted to assisting Arizona (Reserve Component) National Guard members/families in times of crisis caused by mobilization and/or deployment, when the situation can reasonably be expected to be remedied with a one-time loan or grant.  The ARNG-ERF is not a State Agency or Federal entity and is not affiliated with the United Way.  The ARNG-ERF Board of Directors set policy and has the responsibility to oversee the operations of the program and approve all grants or loans. The Board appoints an Administrator who reports to the board, and handles the day-today administrative requirements and coordinates donations solicitations.

 Eligibility:  Any current member of Arizona National Guard is eligible to request assistance from the ARNG-ERF.  The guard member must verify that the applicant is current and regular in their drill attendance.  The ARNG-ERF requests that the applicant explore all resources (family, community service organizations, churches, etc.) before making application for emergency assistance.  The RC member may be referred to a financial counselor or representative from the State Family Readiness Program office for additional financial counseling based on the recommendations of the board reviewing the request. 

Funds Administration:  As mentioned above, the requested financial assistance must be to solve a crisis situation.  A crisis is defined as “an event beyond the control of the Guard member or a family member that requires assistance that is not available from any other reasonable source.”  Additionally, the financial assistance should remedy a one-time problem, not an ongoing situation.  If an applicant’s monthly cost of living notably exceeds their income, no one-time infusion of financial assistance will solve the problem.  A large percentage of available funds are designed to provide immediate cash to Guard member or families who are waiting to receive military pay or reimbursements that have been delayed.  These situations are handled as a temporary, interest free, loan.  Examples of situations that could qualify are:

·         Delay in receiving pay or reimbursement from the government.

·         Temporary shelter, lodging or rent.

·         Emergency utility assistance, i.e. electric, gas, water (not telephone, cable or Internet Service Provider)

·         Emergency transportation and vehicle repair.

·         Costs incurred for emergency travel due to death of immediate family member.

·         Any special circumstance as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

Examples of things that would not typically qualify are:

·         Payment for nonessential items or services

·         Finance ordinary leave or vacation

·         Payment of fines or legal expenses

·         Liquidation or consolidation of debt

·         Assistance with down payment on a home purchase or home improvements

·         Funds to purchase, rent or lease a vehicle

·         Cover bad checks

 Application Procedures:   The Soldier’s first step will normally be to contact the unit First Sergeant or Company Commander or Full-Time Staff of the unit.  If these personnel are not available, contact should be with the service member’s ARNG-ERF representative. Officer grade personnel needing assistance are invited to contact their Commander, the State Chaplin.  A Guard member’s spouse can act on their behalf if they have a properly executed Power-of-Attorney and a valid ID card.

 The Soldier in need, or Unit Commander/1SG/ other representative on the Soldier’s behalf, will prepare a memorandum or electronic message to request assistance. It is preferred that the request be prepared and forwarded to the State Command Sergeant Major electronically (by email) so that the request can be emailed to all the board members. This will help expedite the process.  The request should contain, as a minimum:   

·         Description of the circumstances or events that caused the financial emergency

·         The purpose or bills that the loan/grant will be used for

·         The amount requested

·         Whether the request is for a loan (indicating projected ability to repay), or a grant (the soldier’s situation is such a dire emergency that repayment within a reasonable time cannot be predicted).

·         Any explanation or attempt to remedy the situation by the Soldier or the lack of other options or resources (savings account, family assistance, other organizations).

·         Name, rank, social security number, unit of assignment, home address, and phone contact numbers.

 When forwarding the application request, a unit representative should include information regarding the Soldier standing in the unit/drill attendance, and any additional information in reference to the Soldier’s situation, especially when a delay in military pay is the cause for financial crisis. 

Applicants may be required to provide verifiable proof of the need and other supporting documents. At a minimum the following items should be available:   

·         Military or Dependent ID Card

·         Leave and Earnings Statement and any proof of other family income.

·         Substantiating documents (car repair estimate, rental agreement, utility bill, etc.)

Type of assistance available:  The type of assistance approved is at the discretion of the Board.  Most assistance is in the form of an interest free loan, however it is possible to also receive a grant (an outright gift of funds).  A combination of loan and grant is also possible.  Upon approval, the funds may be paid to the service member or applicant or may be made payable direct to a creditor, at the discretion of the Board.

Response Time:  Once received by the State Command Sergeant Major the Soldier can typically expect a decision within 24-48 hours, once the service representative receives the application.  If approved, funds are usually available within 24 hours after approval.  If a no interest loan is approved, the applicant will be asked to sign a Promissory Note upon receipt of the funds and a repayment date will be established. 

Repayment:  Repayment of a no-interest loan should be made by cash or money order payable to the “AZARNG Emergency Relief Fund”.  Payment should be mailed or delivered to the Command Sergeant Major at Bldg 101, 5636 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85008-3495   Soldier’s  receiving loans may make repayment in a number of small, incremental payments, made on a consistent basis.  This will in most cases be easier for the service member, rather than expecting to make one lump sum payment at the end of the loan period.   All service members receiving a loan should be aware of their obligation to make good on the Promissory Note they sign.   Repayment allows the fund to continue to help other service members in need.

ARNG-ERF Fund Sources:  Funds are received via individual [Donation Form] or corporate donations.  Primary sources of funding are the annual Federal Employees Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and State Employees Charitable Contribution (SECC) campaigns in cooperation with the United Way., individual unit fund raising functions, and other donations solicitations coordinated by the Fund Administrator.  100% of all funds received by the ARNG-ERF go directly to helping Guard Members.