Armed Forces Emergency Services FAQs

 Q.  My relative is in the military and I need to speak with him/her as soon as possible due to a family emergency. Can the Red Cross help to locate this person?

 A.  Yes, in the event of an emergency, critical accident, illness, or death in the service member's immediate family, the Red Cross should be contacted immediately. Our Armed Forces Emergency Services unit is equipped to verify the situation and relay an emergency message, if necessary, to the proper military authorities. If you need immediate assistance please call 409.832.1644 and ask to speak to a military caseworker.  Red Cross emergency reporting and communications services are available 24 hours a day.

 Q.  Since my spouse has been deployed, my family and I have not been doing well financially. We have barely made it in previous months, but this month I will not be able to pay my rent, utility bills or even feed my children. Does the Red Cross have any financial assistance services that can help?

 A.  The Red Cross can assist active duty military families and veterans who are retired military in applying for a possible interest-free loan or grant through the military aid societies. Emergency financial assistance may be authorized for other emergencies as well and are disbursed on the basis of need. If you need assistance, please call 409.832.1644 and ask to speak to a military caseworker.

 Q.  Can the Red Cross grant leave or emergency leave?

 A.  No, only the military authorities from the armed forces are authorized to grant a service member leave or extension of leave. The role of the Red Cross is to provide verification of an emergency when requested by a service member or his/her family member. Although there is some variation among military branches, they may provide emergency leave or extension of leave in the case of a terminally ill family member, death of a family member, serious illness or injury. If a family member needs to request the presence of a service member due to a family emergency, or a service member home on leave needs to request an extension of leave for emergency reasons, the Red Cross should be contacted at 409.832.1644. Please request to speak to a military caseworker. Red Cross emergency reporting and communications services are available 24 hours a day.

 Q.  Can the Red Cross assist me in requesting that my husband be granted leave for the birth of our child?

 A.  The Red Cross can send a message to a service member’s unit requesting his presence due to the pending birth of the service member’s baby. In order to do so, the Red Cross must speak to the attending physician to verify the anticipated due date. The decision regarding whether or not the service member will be granted leave for the birth is made only by the military authorities, not by the Red Cross. If a service member is not able to be present for the birth of the baby, a message may be sent through the Red Cross to notify him of the birth after it occurs. If there is an emergency complication at any time during a pregnancy or delivery and the service member is not present, the Red Cross can verify the situation with the doctor and send an emergency message to the military authorities so that they can make a decision regarding leave. If you need assistance please contact the Red Cross at 409.832.1644 and ask to speak to a military caseworker. Red Cross emergency reporting and communications services are available 24 hours a day.

 Q.  I am currently in the middle of a divorce with my spouse who is in the Armed Forces. Does the Red Cross offer any type of legal aid or advice?

 A.  The Red Cross cannot give any legal information or advice. If a service member is in need of legal services, they will be referred to the legal officer on their installation. A family member will be provided with information about legal resources in their community. For referral to legal services, please contact the Red Cross at 409.832.1644 and ask to speak to a military caseworker.

 Q.  My relative is currently in the armed forces and I have not heard from him/her in over a month. Can the Red Cross help contact this person so I know everything is all right?

 A.  Yes, through the Red Cross' worldwide communication network we can communicate with the installation or ship where the service person is stationed. You can obtain a report on the service member's health and welfare to give you peace of mind. If you are in need of this service, please contact the Red Cross at 409.832.1644 and ask to speak to a military caseworker.

 Q.  Does the Beaumont Chapter of the American Red Cross provide Veterans Services?

 A.  Veterans who are retired from the military may be eligible to apply for military emergency relief loans for emergency financial needs (See # 2 above). Veterans who have financial needs but who are not retired from the military should call the community Information and Referral help line at  2-1-1 for a list of resources in their community. Veterans who need help with other issues, such as obtaining their military records, may call the Red Cross at 409.832.1644 to request referral to a veteran organization which may be able to assist them.

 Q.  I would like to write letters and/or send care packages to the soldiers in Iraq. What do I need to do?

 A.  The Beaumont Chapter of the American Red Cross is not collecting letters or care packages to be sent to soldiers. The Department of Defense (DoD) has advised us of heightening security concerns and transportation restrictions, and has further cautioned us against collecting a large amount of goods. In the past, the military and DoD have accepted care packages directed to "Any Service Member", however, the DoD has suspended its own "Any Service Member" services due to security and logistical concerns. For those individuals or groups who would like to collect items for the troops and who are willing to mail or transport them to Ft. Hood, the American Red Cross office at that location has a program in which they distribute items to injured service members at their military hospital and troops who are serving overseas.
The American Red Cross, Ft. Hood, TX station supports our service men and women going to, during, and coming home from war. In the recent past, the citizens of Beaumont, TX , and the surrounding areas, have been generous in giving toys and games to those children who's parents are away at war. More help is needed. In addition to helping families of service members away on deployments, the Ft Hood office assists in providing hygiene and snack items to soldiers on their way to Iraq; shipping these same items to units who are there currently; and providing hygiene items, snacks, candy, and other necessary items for those troops coming home early without their gear. Any donations of new hygiene items or snacks for these troops are very welcome. Further, monetary donations are always welcome. With these funds, we help provide a first set of civilian clothing for wounded soldiers