Record Details:

Air Force Aid Society

Main/General Business Number: 1-800-769-8951
Website: http://www.afas.org/


Mission: The AIR FORCE AID SOCIETY (AFAS) is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force. It promotes the Air Force mission by helping "to relieve distress of Air Force members and their families and assisting them to finance their education". It is rooted in the original Army Air Corps and the World War II Army Air Forces, whose members wanted to "take care of their own." Through the years, AFAS has become increasingly effective in helping individuals with personal emergencies-- as well as extremely useful when used by commanders to help solve personnel problems in their units.

The AIR FORCE AID SOCIETY, since its creation in 1942 as a non-profit organization, has helped countless members of the Air Force community. Strong support for AFAS programs and objectives is reinforced each year by the substantial personal contributions made by the active force, all of which are used solely for Emergency Assistance. Although AFAS receives no appropriated or non-appropriated funds, close ties are maintained between the Society and Air Force officials.


Eligibility For Services:See Notes, below



This organization provides Temporary or Permanent Service? Permanent

Notes:

Eligibility:

Active duty members and their dependents

Retired Air Force personnel and their dependents, but not on a continuing basis. Case by case review.

Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel on extended duty over 15 days, away from their home station, under Title 10, U.S. Code.

Spouses and dependent age children of deceased Air Force personnel (who died on active duty or in retired status).

Need and Circumstances

Financial assistance is given when a qualifying individual cannot otherwise pay for specific basic needs essential to continued personal effectiveness as an Air force member.

The Society believes that it is better to err on the side of generosity in assisting with need. However, AFAS does not provide assistance for nonessentials, nor does it supplement the income of people who consistently lack sufficient self-discipline to live within their means.

The Society does not use contributed dollars to assist members with "wants" and "desires" -- needs are first priority.

Loans and Grants

Emergency Assistance can be given as an interest free loan, a grant, or a combination of both.

Most assistance is provided as interest free loans with repayment set according to budget surplus.

Grant or combination loan/grant given when repayment would cause a genuine hardship, but should not be given to reward financial irresponsibility. Grants are sometimes given for basic needs; e.g., food, utilities, emergency travel, medical or dental expenses. They are not normally used for rent, vehicle repairs, moves, or education. Unique cases should be coordinated with HQ AFAS..
ASSISTANCE POLICY
Each case is evaluated on its own merits.

Emergency Assistance is given when:
A member cannot otherwise pay for specific basic needs -- lack of which would affect the member's Air Force job or the essential quality and dignity of life the Air Force wants for its people.

The need is essential.

It is aimed at specific needs -- and, generally limited to relatively short term periods.

Emergency Assistance is not given (except to alleviate an immediate hardship):
If it merely postpones a long-term inability to exist on present pay and allowances. Note: If counseling and a stringent budget, coupled with a loan or grant won't solve the problem, then command participation may be necessary.

For non-essentials -- or to supplement the income of people who consistently lack sufficient self discipline to live within their means.

For continuing long-term assistance commitments.

To replace funds due to garnishment (e.g. DPP, government issued travel cards, military fines).
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Examples of Financial Assistance Covered By Society Policies

Assistance policies are reviewed continuously to insure responsiveness to the essential needs of all eligible. Current policy is to help as follows:

(a) BASIC LIVING EXPENSES
Short-term costs related to the necessities of everyday living. The goal is to avoid privation, for example: FOOD RENT UTILITIES

(b) MEDICAL CARE
Assistance for authorized care under TRICARE or MEDICARE for the patient's share of charges and for payment required in advance. AFAS is not able to finance medical care for cronic illness of indefinite duration.

For all health services, equipment, and supplies determined to be within the TRICARE range of benefits.

May include related expenses such as (1) temporary homemaker/baby sitting, (2) transportation, or (3) prosthetic devices, hearing aids, orthopedic shoes, etc. not covered by TRICARE.

(c) DENTAL CARE
Assistance can be provided when the member does not have sufficient funds to cover dependent dental care payments required in advance or patient's share of charges not covered by dental insurance.

For essential care, not purely cosmetic treatment.

Costs should be reasonable and the care consistent with that given in uniformed services facilities.

Base dental surgeons should be asked to evaluate requests for dental assistance to verify the appropriateness/reasonableness of care and safeguard against unnecessary care/cost.

AFAS can help with required orthodontics care. Assistance is normally given for the down payment and the member can work out a payment plan with the dentist.

Dental assistance is not authorized for dependents of members who disenroll from the insurance program unless approved by HQ.

(d) FUNERAL EXPENSES
Most active duty members receive SGLI when a spouse or dependent child dies.

AFAS provides bridge loan assistance when needed to cover necessary costs of funeral until SGLI pays.

Assistance up to $3500 may be given to cover necessary costs for the funeral of a dependent parent living with the member.

Often requires chain of command to get actively involved in negotiating cost of services with local funeral home and acting as an agent for the member, to include requesting the assistance when the member is unable to do so.

AFAS goal is MINIMUM red tape.

Active duty members faced with the expenses of burying immediate family members (i.e. parent, brother, sister) may seek AFAS assistance if there is no other means of providing for the burial. This assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis, and is usually a loan.

(e) RESPITE CARE - "The Gift of Time"
The Respite Care Program provides a "break" of a few hours a week or month to active duty military families who have the responsibility of 24 hour-a-day care for an ill or disabled family member.

Assistance is given in the form of a grant and is based on need - the need for respite time, as well as financial need.

Families are referred to AFAS through the EFMP Officer or Family Advocacy.

(f) VEHICLE REPAIRS
Assistance can be given to repair a vehicle that is essential for everyday functioning of an individual or family for commuting to work, shopping, medical appointments and household errands.

AFAS objective is to help you assure that members have suitable essential transportation.

Vehicle repair assistance is usually provided as a loan.

Assistance should be approved prior to having the vehicle repaired.

(g) ASSISTANCE WITH OTHER EMERGENCIES
Assistance can be provided for expenses related to travel on a personal emergency.

Generally requires that the person be on emergency leave or have support from unit commander indicating the travel is essential.

Active duty member stranded on either emergency or ordinary leave may be provided assistance to return to duty station.

Accidents or breakdowns while traveling to a new duty station pose special problems.

Remind your people that the Red Cross and other service relief agencies will represent AFAS when an Air Force base isn't nearby. (AFAS ultimately reimburses all other agencies who make disbursements)

Although government allowances usually cover PCS moves, young families may experience unexpected out-of-pocket costs that AFAS might help with.

Because emotions run high and definitions of personal emergencies vary, don't hesitate to seek clarification on available AFAS assistance.

(h)PAY/ALLOTMENT PROBLEMS
Even the best of pay systems can turn unfriendly -- perhaps with a move or the start/stop of allotments.

AFAS will help overcome a short term pay crisis. At some point you may be asked to verify the situation.

Help is provided on the basis of essential need rather than replacing the reduction of normal income.

(i)DISASTERS
American Red Cross has primary responsibility for relief of emergencies caused by widespread disasters.

AFAS is prepared to supplement Red Cross assistance on a needs basis.

In case of a solitary disaster (e.g. a home fire), AFAS will assist with immediate emergency needs for living essentials to include temporary lodging.

AFAS cannot take the place of homeowners or renters insurance.

AFAS will not automatically replace losses. Each case is assessed individually and immediate needs are addressed.

(j)ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVING DEPENDENTS
AFAS provides emergency assistance to surviving spouses and dependent minor orphans at the time of, or shortly after, the death of an Air Force member.

The object is to relieve the surviving dependent of immediate financial distress, normally for short term basic living expenses.

(h) OTHER

See website for other special circumstances involving rehabilitation and/or medical care.

* What AFAS Can't Do

We can aid in many ways but we do have some restrictions.

Funds of the Society are not available as a matter of convenience. For instance, assistance is not given:
To pay for non-essentials such as second automobiles, television sets, VCR's, microwaves.

To pay for essentials that cost more than the average standard.

To provide basic needs on a continuing basis.

To finance business ventures, to purchase a home, or similar permanent investment.

To finance vacations or activities on normal annual leave.

To pay credit card debt including government issued travel cards.

To cover bad checks, provide bail, or pay fines.

To pay DPP bills or replace funds due to garnishments.

To pay taxes and legal expenses.

To make contributions to other charitable or religious organizations.

To assist in maintaining a standard of living inconsistent with the pay allowances of the Air Force member.

To fund non-TRICARE approved medical procedures such as abortions.

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