1. Eligibility: Who can get Air Force Aid Society assistance?

• Active Duty Military and their dependents.
• Retired Air Force personnel and their dependents, but not on a continuing basis. Case by case review is required.
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel serving on active duty under Title 10, U.S. Code, on extended duty over 15 days, away from their home station.
• Spouses and dependent age children of deceased Air Force personnel (who died on active duty or in retired status).
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2. Basic Operating Principles: How does the Air Force Aid Society process work?

• Emergency assistance usually combines an assessment of the emergency situation and an evaluation of the personal budget to arrive at a decision to make an interest free loan, a grant, or combination of both.
• The Air Force Aid Society maintains an open door policy that encourages individuals to apply for assistance when they feel an emergency situation exists -- but keeps the commander informed when a personal problem surfaces that might affect the performance of duty.
• Timely response to personal emergencies is the Air Force Age Society watchword. Streamlined procedures are authorized when the situation is urgent or the individual is applying for a Falcon Loan.
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3. Needs and Circumstances: What can the Air Force Aid Society assist with?

• 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.
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4. Loans and Grants: How is Emergency Assistance given?

• Emergency Assistance can be given as an interest free loan, a grant, or a combination of both.
• Most assistance is provide as interest free loans with repayment set according to the individual's budget.
• Grants or combination loan/grants are given when repayment would cause a genuine hardship, but will 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 are coordinated with the Air Force Aid Society Headquarters.
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5. Assistance Policy: How is Emergency Assistance given?

• Emergency Assistance can be given as an interest free loan, a grant, or a combination of both.
• Most assistance is provide as interest free loans with repayment set according to the individual's budget.
• Grants or combination loan/grants are given when repayment would cause a genuine hardship, but will 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 are coordinated with the Air Force Aid Society Headquarters.

• Examples of Financial Assistance Covered
• Examples of Special Situations and Unique Needs

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6. What Air Force Aid Society Can't Do:
We can aid in many ways but we do have some restrictions.

• To pay for non-essentials such as second automobiles, television sets, DVD players, 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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If you need assistance, call us at (605) 385-4663.

The Falcon Loan is a loan of $500 or less that can be used for emergency needs such as basic living expenses (rent, utilities, food), car repairs, emergency travel, or other approved needs. Each Air Force member can utilize a Falcon Loan twice during their career.

Applying for a Falcon Loan is as easy as 1-2-3:

• 1. Download the application HERE.
• 2. Call the Airman & Family Readiness Center (605) 385-4663 for an appointment. At that time, you will be informed about what other documentation is needed based on your need for the loan.
• 3. Bring your ID card, current EOM LES, and any other required documents.

The streamlined application process for a Falcon Loan requires no budget information, or First Sergeant/Commander approval. Minimal information required to process an allotment, certain documentation based on the need, and your signature is all that is needed to complete the application.

To be eligible for a Falcon Loan, you must be an Active Duty Air Force member or spouse with Power of Attorney stationed at an Air Force base with an Airman and Family Readiness Center, and cannot have a current Air Force Aid Society loan. You will be expected to repay your Falcon Loan by allotment within 10 months or by your ETS if less than 10 months.

Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel activated on Title 10 orders at the time of application are eligible for a Falcon Loan. Repayment by cash or Paymatic will normally be over 10 months while still on active duty or if deactivated.

The Falcon Loan is a complement to the Society’s standard emergency assistance loan/grant program. Receiving a Falcon Loan does not make you ineligible to receive a standard Air Force Aid Society loan/grant while you are repaying your Falcon Loan.

For more information on the Falcon Loan, please visit your Airman & Family Readiness Center or call us at (605) 385-4663.

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Give Parents a Break - The purpose of this program is to offer eligible parents a few hours break from the stresses of parenting due to deployments, special needs, or other unique circumstances. Active duty Air Force families may use this time to suit their personal needs. Parents can receive a certificate from their Squadron commander/first sergeant, Chaplain, Doctor or other medical professional, Family Advocacy personnel, Child Development Center personnel, and the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Read more about this program at www.AFAS.org.

Bundles for Babies - If you are an Air Force active duty member or spouse of an active duty member who is expecting a baby or is a new mother, you are encouraged to contact us to sign up for a "Bundles for Babies" class and, upon completion of the class, receive a free "bundle" that the Air Force Aid Society purchased from the Gerber Company. This gift from the AFAS consists of a tote bag, receiving blanket, washcloths, hooded towels, sleepers, onesies and more! Read more about this program at www.AFAS.org.

Car Care Because We Care - The program is designed to keep the primary family vehicle of deployed active duty Air Force members in top running condition by providing preventive vehicle maintenance. This maintenance includes oil/filter change, lubrication, and vehicle safety checks on a grant basis. This program is available to Spouses of active duty Air Force members deployed for more than 30 days or on a remote assignment. Read more about this program at www.AFAS.org.

Child Care for Volunteers - Recognizing the importance of volunteers to the base community, the Air Force Aid Society provides funding for the Child Care for Volunteers program. The AFAS will provide child care expenses in AF licensed or affiliated family day care homes for volunteers who are engaged in supporting programs which benefit the Air Force community. Read more about this program at www.AFAS.org.

Child Care for PCS - This program is intended to help relieve some of the stress felt by families in the process of a PCS move. The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) will pay up to 20 hours of child care (per child) in licensed Family Child Care (FCC) homes on base or in Air Force affiliated homes off base. Families with PCS orders can obtain a Child Care for PCS Certificate at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Families can receive a certificate at both the base from which they are departing and at their new base. Certificates are good only at the base at which they are issued -- unused hours do not transfer from one base to another. Families may use the 20 hours of child care within 60 days before the family's departure from a base, and 60 days after arriving at the new base. This program is open to all ranks. Read more about this program at www.AFAS.org.

Respite Care Program - This program is intended for active duty Air Force families who have a family member with special needs. The goal of the program is to provide a "break" for a few hours a week or month to families who have the responsibility of 24 hour a day care for an ill or disabled family member. This person may be a child, spouse, or parent living in the household. The stress of providing care, the burden of medical expenses, plus the high cost of hiring someone to provide care, make it difficult if not impossible to be able to afford even a few hours away. AFAS Assistance for respite is based on need. Read more about this program at www.AFAS.org.

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Spouse Orientation Program (Heart Link) - The Air Force Aid Society contributes to our Heart Link Program. The objective of the Heart Link Program is to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness. Appreciating that spouses play an important role in re-enlistment decisions, therefore impacting retention, a major program goal is to help spouses, especially those with the Air Force five years of less, acclimate to the Air Force/military environment. Each base appoints a Heart Link Administrator to oversee the program, which includes orientation activities consisting of presentations, interactive games and exercises that should, by the end of the day, leave spouses feeling they are an important and respected part of the Air Force team. A program highlight is a visit from the Wing Commander who presents a coin to each spouse for completing the program.

Youth Employment Skills (YES) - The Youth Employment Skills (YES) Program is an on-base volunteer program for high school students and is offered at selected Air Force bases. This program, underwritten by the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), is a joint effort between AFAS and Air Force Family Member Programs Flight to offer high school students an opportunity to learn valuable work skills, "bank" dollar credits toward their post-secondary education/training, and have a positive impact on their base community.This program is coordinated through the base Family Members Program coordinator. For more information or to participate, please call the Teen Center at (605) 385-6399 or the Airman & Family Readiness Center at (605) 385-4663.
Read more about this program at www.AFAS.org.

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The centerpiece of the Society's education initiatives is the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program which provides $2000 grants to selected sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air Force members; spouses (stateside) of active duty members and Title 10 AGR/Reservists; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their undergraduate studies.

This grant program remains competitive in its need-based selection criteria, uniquely tailored to recognize the proper weighing of family income and education cost factors, and is administered by ACT Recognition Program Services. Use of funds is limited to tuition, books, fees, or other curriculum-required materials.

Click HERE to download an application and apply.

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