Military Families

Get Emergency Help Now

The American Red Cross provides worldwide communications services that keep military personnel and their families in touch during an emergency or other important event.

Using the latest technology, the Red Cross delivers urgent messages around-the-clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We also provide social services such as help in coordinating hardship leave, accessing financial assistance, counseling or compiling veteran benefit claims. (Call 1-888-737-4306 for help or information)

Emergency Communications

When a death, serious illness, birth of a child or another critical event makes communication urgent, the Red Cross can help get an emergency message to a family member in the military. Factual information is communicated to service members and military authorities in an expedient and confidential manner. The information provided aids military authorities in processing emergency leave and extension requests for the service member.

Inquiries can be made when a breakdown occurs in family communication and a family member’s efforts at contact have been unsuccessful.

Counseling

Limited personal and family counseling is available and appropriate referrals are provided for non-crisis situations.

A variety of disaster education materials are available to help service members and their families better prepare for emergencies.

Service members and their families can experience unique financial problems. These may include a delayed pay allotment, financial neglect of family members or emergency travel expenses. The American Red Cross can help to resolve these problems through referrals to other appropriate resources.

When hardship within the immediate family cannot be alleviated by emergency leave, the Red Cross will counsel the family or service member on procedures and documentation needed for either reassignment closer to home, or a hardship discharge. Final decisions are made by military authorities.