The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides sailors and Marines, their families and surviving dependents with financial, educational and emergency assistance. The NMCRS has offices on or near most U.S. Navy and Marine Corps installations.
History
The newly formed United States couldn’t afford benefits packages for its services – let alone their dependents and survivors. For years, sailors and Marines collected funds for the families of their deceased shipmates. Naval officers, their spouses and civilian friends formalized that support by incorporating the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society on Jan. 23, 1904. That year, NMCRC gave $9,500 to widows and families of service members.
Since then, the NMCRS expanded its services to meet the growing needs of service members and their families, including interest-free loans, health care education, assistance and financial counseling.
Programs
Financial Assistance and Counseling
The NMCRS can provide service members with interest-free loans or grants for urgent financial needs. Qualifying situations include financial help with essentials, such as food, rent or mortgage and utilities; necessary home repairs; security and utility deposits; car expenses; medical expenses; delayed entitlements; funeral expenses and even OCONUS pet travel for permanent changes of station. There is no application fee, and the appointment with a caseworker is free. Additionally, caseworkers can help service members and their families with budget planning and resources.
Eligibility: Active-duty or retired sailors and Marines, eligible family members with military ID, surviving spouses and reservists on active duty for at least 30 days.
Quick Assist Loan (QAL)
For service members with an unexpected financial need, the NMCRS offers interest-free loans for up to $1,000. Eligible sailors and Marines must apply in person, but they don’t need an appointment. There is no application fee. The QAL must be paid back within 12 months.
Eligibility: Service members must be on active duty in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps, must have no outstanding interest-free loans from the NMCRS and cannot have any disciplinary actions that impact their pay or rank.
Education Assistance
The NMCRS offers interest-free loans and grants of between $500 and $3,000 to eligible applicants attending undergraduate/post-secondary education at accredited two- or four-year university, technical or vocational institutions in the United States. The funds are payable to the academic institutions and must be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board. Read the full eligibility requirements and download the application here.
Eligibility: Children (under age 23) of active-duty, retired or deceased sailors; Marines or spouses of active-duty and retired sailors and Marines; and Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program or Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program students. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
The Visiting Nurse Program
Visiting nurses provide education and resource referrals to active-duty or retired service members and their families. During in-home visits, nurses answer questions and provide health information on topics including medications, medical care and chronic medical conditions. They can address prenatal, infant and pediatric concerns for parents of young children. Visiting nurses do not provide emergency or bedside care but help patients understand their options for better taking care of themselves and their families.
Eligibility: Active or retired Navy and Marine Corps Service members and their families.
Other Society Programs
Budget for Baby
This workshop helps expectant parents develop a budget and provides tips on how to save money. Plus, attendees receive a free handmade baby blanket.
Emergency Travel
This program provides an interest-free loan for emergency travel to sailors or Marines traveling to visit a sick or dying loved one or family members visiting a severely ill or injured sailor or Marine.
Thrift Shops
The NMCRS operates thrift shops on several bases. They offer affordable prices on gently used clothing, military uniforms and household goods. They carefully inspect all items to ensure good quality.
Disaster Relief
When a natural disaster or personal catastrophic event strikes, the NMCRS provides financial relief. The NMCRS can help service members pay for needed items such as gas, temporary lodging, food and baby formula. They also offer interest-free loans to pay for insurance deductibles or replace lost items such as food and furniture.
To learn more about the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, visit www.nmcrs.org.
Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News
