Financial Assistance and Child Care Program Expansions Unveiled by Air Force Aid Society
Air Force Aid Society Revamps Financial Aid to Aid Airmen, Guardians, and Families
In a significant move, the Air Force and Space Force's official charity, Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), has rolled out a series of changes to make life easier for Airmen, Guardians, and their families. These changes focus on streamlining the application process for financial aid, broadening aid recipients' options, and simplifying access to childcare.
Retired Major General Ed Thomas Jr., AFAS Chief Executive Officer, shared, "We've made some of the most profound changes in decades, tailor-made to accommodate the needs of our Airmen, Guardians, and their families."
Financial Aid: A New Era
AFAS combines its loan and non-repayable grant programs, offering an unparalleled single pathway for assistance. This new approach enables Airmen, Guardians, family members, or retirees to request loans, grants, or both. At a 0% interest rate, these loans are a standout alternative to high-interest credit card loans or payday loans. As Thomas explained, "Why take out a loan with an 18% or 39% interest when you can get a 0% one, repaid within two years?"
The aid's size is determined on a case-by-case basis, with recipients able to take advantage of it for a wide range of financial needs. From adoption costs to essential home repairs, mental health support, and more, AWS is committed to supporting its beneficiaries in their time of need.
Child Care: Breathing Room for Military Families
Two AFAS programs are providing some much-needed relief for military families dealing with a nationwide child care provider shortage. The Give Parents a Break program offers parents $40 per dependent child per month for up to three months, which can be spent on any form of childcare-even flying in a family member.
Designed for providing parents with a few hours of respite, Give Parents a Break requires a referral from a commander, chaplain, medical professional, family advocate, or first sergeant. The Child Care for PCS program, on the other hand, provides $200 per child up to age 12 for a maximum of $1,000 per household during a permanent move, retirement, separation, or transfer to the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard.
Inspired by Listening Tours
Many of these recent changes were inspired by a listening tour undertaken by AFAS officials, allowing them to hear firsthand concerns from troops across the Air Force and Space Force. Key themes emerged, including the complexity of the financial aid application process and the ongoing stressors posed by PCS season and the child care provider shortage.
In 2021, AFAS granted more than $200,000 for child care and $4.9 million for emergency financial aid. The charity anticipates a rise in demand for these services and has budgeted accordingly.
Thomas reflected, "We've seen the difference the money makes for those who need it the most. A young Airman suddenly becoming a guardian to his two teen sisters; a staff sergeant struggling to pay bills amid his daughter's long-term hospital stay-we strive to bridge these unforeseen gaps."
In addition to financial assistance, AFAS partners with military-family readiness centers and other organizations to help Airmen and Guardians build budgets and regain their financial footing.
Enrichment Data:To apply for assistance, eligible members can:
- Go online and visit the AFAS website at www.afas.org to click on "Request Assistance."
- Submit applications in person at local Military and Family Readiness Centers.
- Register for the service through the AFAS portal (https://portal.afas.org) following the Quick-Start Guide.
New categories of financial assistance primarily include:
- Financial aid for accessing mental health services.
- Support for those relocating due to domestic violence situations.
- Help with immigration-related costs.
- Financial aid for families adopting children.
- Childcare assistance.
- Support for purchasing essential household items during transitions or hardships.
Changes have also been implemented to streamline the application process and provide more holistic support to service members and their families. Moreover, AFAS has demonstrated a commitment to helping individuals who experience unique financial challenges and points of instability by bridging the gap when "life happens and the exceptional occurs."
The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) has unified its loan and non-repayable grant programs, offering a single pathway for assistance to Airmen, Guardians, family members, and retirees. This new approach includes access to loans, grants, or both at a 0% interest rate, providing an alternative to high-interest loans. ("Financial Aid: A New Era")
In recognition of the nationwide child care provider shortage, AFAS has introduced the Give Parents a Break program, providing $40 per dependent child per month for up to three months and the Child Care for PCS program, offering $200 per child up to age 12 during specific military transitions. ("Child Care: Breathing Room for Military Families")
AFAS has expanded its financial assistance to various new categories, such as mental health services, domestic violence relocation, immigration-related costs, adoptions, childcare, and essential household items during transitions or hardships. These changes aim to provide more holistic support and address unique financial challenges faced by service members and their families. ("Enrichment Data")
