Applying for Assistance

Applying For Assistance

Any eligible person may request assistance from CGMA by contacting a CGMA Representative (Coast Guard service personnel may also contact one of the other Military Aid Societies or the American Red Cross for emergency assistance when they are unable to apply through CGMA) and completing the appropriate application for assistance. Generally the CGMA client will apply for assistance for themselves or for their family members. However, when the client is not available, family members may apply.

Each person requesting assistance must provide valid identification.

Prior to providing assistance, Representatives must verify each individual’s status. This can be accomplished by checking their military or civilian identification card. DEERS enrollment can be used to verify military dependency status.

Representatives must also verify that the individual is not on the CGMA Restricted List.

Assistance will be provided in accordance with the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Manual and policies and procedures as established by the CGMA Board of Control.

Where to go for assistance

Your local CGMA Representative is usually the best person to contact if you need assistance. However, if you are away from home, you can receive assistance from any CGMA Representative.

Check to see if there is a CGMA Representative near your home or location

Additionally, CGMA has reciprocal agreements with the:

Air Force Aid Society
Army Emergency Relief
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

With these reciprocal agreements, Coast Guard military members may receive emergency assistance from these organizations when Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is not available and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance will provide assistance to their members when their parent aid society is not available.

Requests for non-emergency and education assistance should go through your local Representative and not these agencies. This may involve faxing or mailing requests for assistance that are not time critical to the nearest CGMA Representative.

Coast Guard military members may also receive assistance from the American Red Cross when Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is not available.

One exception to the above; requests for the Application for Stafford/PLUS Loan Origination Fee Refund (CGMA Form 8) should be sent directly to CGMA-HQ, not to your local CGMA Representative.

If you have questions or need help finding the closest Representative you may also call:

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Headquarters
Toll-free 1 (800) 881-2462
Monday - Friday 0700 to 1600 eastern

What to Bring With You

Your valid Coast Guard ID card.

Your Leave and Earning Statement.

Documents to support your need for assistance (copies of bills or statements, estimates for car repairs, rental agreement, eviction notice, utility bills, etc.)

What Else Will Be Needed

Application for Assistance

An application for assistance must be completed for each request for assistance. Applications are available to download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. Applications may also be obtained from your local CGMA Representative. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you may download it free by clicking here Get Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Most requests for assistance will be made using a CGMA Application for Assistance
(CGMA Form 5).

However, there are a few exceptions:

If assistance is for a CGMA Supplemental Education Grant (SEG)
(CGMA Form 10) must be completed.

If assistance is for a Stafford/PLUS Loan Origination Fee Refund (CGMA Form 8) must be completed.

If assistance is provided by another relief agency,
they will provide their application form to be completed.

Budget Form

In addition to the application form, in most cases a CGMA Budget Form (CGMA Form 15) must also be completed.

Pre Authorization Form

When the CGMA Client isn't available one of the following items will normally be required prior to providing assistance.

Power of Attorney.
Pre-authorization Form. (CGMA Form 16)
Verbal or written consent of the sponsor.

Command Endorsement

A command endorsement will normally be required for requests for assistance from active duty members, civilian employees and Reserve members not stationed at the same unit as the CGMA Representative. All other applicants may, if they choose, elect to include such an endorsement as part of their application for assistance.

Additional Documentation

Depending on the nature, scope and complexity of the request, additional supporting documentation or information may be needed to process the request.

Applicants are encouraged to attach separate letters, statements or other documents to their application when necessary to help support their request and explain extenuating circumstances that would not be evident in the application and other documentation.

Need More Information?

More detailed information concerning applying for assistance is contained in Section 3-D of the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Manual.

Contact your local Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Representative for assistance or additional information.

“We Look After Our Own”

		Your valid Coast Guard ID card.

		Your Leave and Earning Statement.

		Documents to support your need for assistance (copies of bills or statements, estimates for car repairs, rental agreement, eviction notice, utility bills, etc.)

	If assistance is for a CGMA Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) (CGMA Form 10) must be completed.
	If assistance is for a Stafford/PLUS Loan Origination Fee Refund (CGMA Form 8) must be completed.
	If assistance is provided by another relief agency, they will provide their application form to be completed.