General Information

 

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. 

 

 

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

 

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Basic Requirements

	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

 

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Where to go for assistance

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

Location of CGMA Representatives

 

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Other Military Aid Societies and the American Red Cross

CGMA has reciprocal agreements with the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, and the 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. (Note: requests for the Stafford/PLUS Loan Fee Refund (CGMA Form 8) and the CGMA Layette Program (CGMA Form 7) should be sent directly to CGMA-HQ, not to your local CGMA Representative.)

 

 

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

 

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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.)

 

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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.  (If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you may download it free by clicking here Get Adobe Acrobat Reader) Applications may also be obtained from your local CGMA Representative Most requests for assistance will be made using a CGMA Application for Assistance (CGMA Form 5) however, there are a few exceptions: Under certain circumstances, active duty service members and reservists recalled to active duty may be eligible to apply through the Quick Loan Program then (CGMA Form 1) must be completed If assistance is for a CGMA Layette (Welcome Gift for Baby) thenCGMA Form 7 must be completed If assistance is for a Stafford/PLUS Loan Fee Refund then CGMA Form 8 must be completed If assistance is for a CGMA Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) then CGMA Form 10 must be completed If assistance is for a CGMA Education Loan then CGMA Form 11 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 and submitted with the application.
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 CGMA client
Command Endorsement
	A command endorsement will normally be required for requests for assistance from active duty members, Auxiliary 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.

 

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Need More Information?

Detailed information concerning assistance is contained in Section 3-D of the CGMA Manual

Review our General Information Brochure

Contact your local Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Representative

Call CGMA-HQ (800) 881-2462 or (703) 872-6716
Send us an email: ARL-DG-CGMA@uscg.mil