The American Red Cross works under partnership agreements with the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. Types of assistance include financial assistance for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, and assistance to avoid privation (food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.)

In FY 08, the Red Cross, in partnership with the military aid societies, facilitated access to more than $5.8 million in financial aid to more than 5,000 service members, their military dependents, retired military personnel and widows of retired military personnel.

Casualty Travel Assistance Program

The Casualty Travel Assistance Program (CTAP) provides travel assistance for two immediate family members to attend a memorial or funeral service for a service member killed on active duty in the combat zone and to travel to the bedside of a service member wounded in the combat zone.

Assistance includes funding for:
-Roundtrip airfare
-Lodging costs
-Food and incidentals

How to contact the Red Cross for assistance

-Active duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members can call the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for help seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number is available through base or installation operators and from local on-base Red Cross offices or 877-272-7337 throughout the U.S.

-On overseas military installations, military personnel may access assistance through their local on-base Red Cross office.

-In overseas deployment areas, contact the American Red Cross staff who are working directly with America's military to provide Red Cross services.

-Members of the National Guard and Reserves, retirees, and recruiters may access assistance by contacting the Red Cross through the following numbers

When calling the Red Cross, please provide as much of the following information about the service member as is known:
-Full name
-Rank/rating
-Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
-Social Security Account number or date of birth
-Military address
-Information about the deployed unit and home base unit (for deployed service members only)