http://www.defenselink.mil/ specials/Relief_Act_Revision/ http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/sscra/ http://www.defenselink.mil/ specials/Relief_Act_Revision/usmilitary.about.com/cs/sscra/ http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2002/FIL02134.html http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/questions/ssrelief/usc50top.html
from: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0317action17.html http://www.azcentral.com/12news/consumer/articles/03122003SoldierBills-CR.html
Military families shouldn't give up easily
CALL 12
FOR ACTION
Rick DeBruhl
Mar. 17, 2003 12:00 AM
Paula Stevenson knows her most important job these days is learning to say, "Everything's just fine."
Her husband, Ken, was called to active duty and sent to Kuwait in January. He calls home two or three times a week for 10 minutes at a time. With the threat of war looming, the last thing Paula says Ken needs to hear about is bill problems back home.
Ken is lucky. His military pay isn't much different from his civilian pay.
The families left back home are not only coping without husbands and dads, wives and moms but also getting along with potentially less money.
Fortunately for families like the Stevensons, there is help.
To start with there is the Soldiers and Sailors' Civil Relief Act. It limits interest rates on mortgages and credit cards to 6 percent. It allows activated members of the military to break housing leases under certain circumstances and prevents evictions if their rent is less than $1,200. It can also put on hold some court proceedings.
There are plenty of limitations, but the Soldiers and Sailors' Civil Relief Act can help. At least it can if people use it.
Paula says there was plenty of paperwork involved, and lots of faxing. If you know someone who needs help the act can provide, don't let them give up. Make sure they know what it can do for them, and take advantage of it.
Military families left in a financial pinch need to be creative and persistent. The bills may not disappear, but they may be put on hold. Don't give up easily.
Internet links:
www.defenselink.mil/ specials/Relief_Act_Revision/
usmilitary.about.com/ cs/sscra/
www.fdic.gov/news/news/ financial/2002/FIL02134.html
www.chinfo.navy.mil/ navpalib/questions/ssrelief/ usc50top.html
Reach Call 12 for Action from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays at (602) 260-1212 or 1-866-260-1212.
Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act
Rick DeBruhl
Call 12 for Action
Mar. 12, 2003 05:06 PM
Soldiers who've been activated for a potential war have a lot on their minds. That includes the bills they leave behind.
There is something called the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act. Its a law designed to help Soldiers who may find their bills harder to handle without that civilian job.
But that only solves part of their problem. Sometimes you have to get creative to solve the rest.
Paula Stevensons husband was sent overseas in January. But while Ken Stevenson is coping with the threat of war, Paula is coping with the bills.
She says, "we now have extra childcare expense now. We have the extra amenities, and the extra expense to keep up a house by yourself. You have a lot more expenses a month that you just didn't plan on."
One thing they didn't need was a $340 a month payment for Ken's leased Toyota pickup. But when Paula called Toyota and asked what it would take to terminate, she was told it would cost $18,000 to satisfy the lease.
The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act helps activated troops get lower interest rates on mortgages and credit cards. It puts any legal proceedings on hold and it can help cancel apartment or home leases, but it won't get soldiers out of a car lease.
So Paula dialed Called 12 for Action.
We got a hold of Toyota and said there has to be a better solution. Toyota took another look at the termination clause in the contract and decided that Paula could pay the difference between the wholesale and retail value. Instead of $18,000, Paula was able to pay $2,000 to satisfy the lease.
Which is one less burden Paula has to shoulder alone.
The important thing is to understand both what the soldiers and sailors civil relief act can do you for you, and what it can't. And remember not to give up before you can find out every option that is available to you.