Financial Readiness & Assistance
Financial Readiness Program
The Financial Readiness Program (FRP) promotes readiness by counseling and educating Soldiers and Families in all areas of consumer and financial topics and ensuring that emergency assistance is available when needed. The misson of FRP is to reduce indebtedness and requests for emergency financial assistance, and to prevent financial difficulties before they arise through classes on money management, credit, financial planning, insurance and consumer issues. We envision Soldiers and Families living within their means and providing for their financial future.
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Subprograms
Consumer and Financial Education
Classes are offered on a wide variety of topics and may be taught at ACS, units, or other locations.
Mandatory classes are provided monthly: First Termers' Personal Financial Readiness Training (required for E4 and below at first permanent duty station, 3rd Friday each month); Pre-Move Financial Planning (required for E4 and below, open to anyone interested - 3rd Wednesday of each month); Refresher Checking Account Maintenance (anyone with a problem with their bank account; by appointment). Classes cover all aspects of consumer and financial issues. To schedule a class for your unit, FRG, or organization, give 2 weeks' notice. Watch the Bayonet and other media for general interest class schedules.
Financial Counseling/Debt Liquidation
Individual assistance is available to strengthen or improve Soldiers' and Families' financial situations. In cases where the Soldier is overextended in debt, free debt liquidation assistance is available.
Free financial counseling, contract review, and budget development is available from certified counselors. When debt liquidation is necessary, we will work with your creditors to reduce interest rates and payment amounts and develop a repayment plan that allows you to provide for your family. The first step is to attend the Financial Counseling Intake, held each Monday at 0815 in Building 2624. Once you have all necessary financial information, you will schedule an appointment with a counselor. The counselors will also review contracts before you sign them to prevent you from getting a bad one.
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Provides no-interest loans and grants to assist with emergency situations. Also provides emergency food vouchers when AER assistance for food cannot be accomplished the same day.
Most AER assistance is provided as a no-interest loan. Traditional assistance is provided to active and retired Soldiers, their dependent Family members, and widow(er)s. Under the Commanders Referral Program, the company commander or first sergeant may be the approving authority for assistance of $1,000 or less for active Soldiers (loan only; other requirements may apply). If you are not near an Army installation, you can go to any service's relief society or to the local chapter of the American Red Cross. AER provides scholarships for Spouses of active Soldiers and for dependent Children of active, retired, and deceased Soldiers. Scholarship applications are available at www.aerhq.org.
Consumer Complaint Resolution Assistance
Trained and certified financial counselors are available by appointment to assist in resolving consumer issues with businesses.
Financial counselors work with Soldiers, Family members, and the business in question to resolve the issue in question. Complaints are coordinated with the Better Business Bureau and other installation agencies, and trends are identified. When a pattern of discriminatory or unscrupulous business practices is identified, the matter is raised to the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board, which may recommend a business be put off-limits to Soldiers.
Resources and Forms
- Consumer Complaint Form
- Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) - a supplemental amount up to $500 per month for Soldiers who fall below 130% of the poverty level; call us to schedule a pre-screening
- FSSA Documents Required to Determine Eligibility
Hours & Contact Information
| Address | Building 2624, Dixie Road - Soldier's Plaza (view on map) |
| Phone | (706) 545-7517 |
| Hours | Monday thru Friday: 8am - 4:30pm |
Contact the Financial Readiness Program manager  |
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| Submit an ICE comment card |
