Fort Detrick
Financial Readiness Program (FRP)

Army Emergency Relief (AER) provides financial assistance to Soldiers, retirees, Family members, surviving spouses, and orphans when there is a valid emergency. There are also scholarship opportunities and grants to Wounded Warriors available. The office works with other relief agencies to assist all military personnel and their Families.

Army Regulation that governs the AER Program [PDF]

Categories of authorized emergency financial assistance include: non-receipt of pay, theft of funds, medical expenses, funeral expenses, required travel, rent, utilities, food, repairs for privately-owned vehicles, clothing, repair of HVAC, cranial helmets, privation, and fire or other disaster.

Under the AER Commander's Referral Program the authorized limit increased to $1,500 on 01 AUG 2011. The repayment period may be extended from 12 up to 15 months. All other conditions/requirements of the Program remain the same.

For financial emergencies after duty hours, contact Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) Center at 1-877-272-7337.

AER Forms

• AER Form 700 [PDF]
  Application For Army Emergency Relief
• AER Form 600 [PDF]
  Commander's Referral Program
• Other AER Forms

Visit the official Army AER Website.

The Consumer Affairs Program provides resources and articles on all relevant issues effecting the Soldier as a consumer with certain and specific consumer rights and obligations. The Financial Readiness Program Manager is also the Consumer Affairs Liaison for Fort Detrick available to assist the Soldier, family member, or retiree with specific consumer problems or issues.

The office offers also information, counseling, and training in consumer affairs. Training topics include consumer rights and responsibilities, credit reporting agencies, consumer scams and fraud, among others.

If you're thinking about making a major financial decision or purchase, we may be able to offer some guidance. In addition, we can advise you on basic investments and investigate complaints against local businesses.

The FRP Office has an interagency agreement with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service to assist service members with specific monitoring of debt and limited consolidation services. This agency should be used to supplement a Soldier's need for financial counseling when reoccurring problems persist. Their phone number is 1-800-747-4222. There is an office located in Frederick, Maryland. Hours: 0800-1700 (M-F)

Through the Food Voucher Program (FVP) we provide temporary emergency food assistance to needy military service members, retirees, and Family members. Usually this program benefits clients that, due to timing, nature of the case, and/or hardship in repayment, are not eligible for an Army Emergency Relief (AER) loan, or the loan cannot be processed in a timely manner.

NOTE: Food vouchers can be spent at the Fort Detrick Commissary to purchase general food and sundry items.

HIEP Flyer [PDF]

The Army Community Service Household Items Exchange Program (HIEP) supports military Families during challenging financial times in their life, mostly in the process of relocating to the costly Fort Detrick area. The program creates a network between people with items they want to donate, and military Families that need those items. The HIEP staff matches needs with availability, and refers the applicants to the appropriate donors.

No storage is available; therefore, donors are asked to hold the items until they can give them to the recipient.

Participation in the HIEP is free. Applicants do not have to give something back to the program, unless they want to. Donations can be accepted from all sources, military and civilian. Priority on referral is given to junior enlisted applicants.

Eligibility - Service members and family members.

Requesting resources - Have the service member come to the ACS office to review our books and videos. Books and videos can be borrowed for 1 month.