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, assistance to avoid privation, 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

Contact your local Red Cross chapter, which is listed in local telephone directory and at Your Local Red Cross,if you are:

o     Active duty members on leave

o     Family members of active duty service members who do not reside in the service members' household,

o     members of the National Guard and Reserves,

o     recruiters, MEPS military personnel and

o     military retirees

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)