Serving the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard since 1924
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.
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. 
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Each person requesting assistance must provide valid identification |
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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 |
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Representatives must also verify that the individual is not on the CGMA Restricted List |
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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 |
Where to go for assistance
Your local CGMA Representative is usually the best person to contact if you need assistance. However, if you are away from home, you can receive assistance from any CGMA Representative.
Check to see if there is a CGMA Representative near your home or location
Additionally, CGMA has reciprocal agreements with the:
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.
One exception to the above; requests for the Application for Stafford/PLUS Loan Origination Fee Refund (CGMA Form 8) should be sent directly to CGMA-HQ, not to your local CGMA Representative. |
Coast Guard military members may also receive assistance from the American Red Cross when Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is not available.
If you have questions or need help finding the closet Representative you may also call Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Headquarters toll-free (800) 881-2462 Monday-Friday 0700 to 1600 eastern.
What to Bring With You
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Your valid Coast Guard ID card |
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Your Leave and Earning Statement |
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Documents to support your need for assistance (copies of bills or statements, estimates for car repairs, rental agreement, eviction notice, utility bills, etc.) |
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. Applications may also be obtained from your local CGMA Representative. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you may download it free by clicking here Get Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Most request 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) then(CGMA Form 7) must be completed. |
If assistance is for a CGMA Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) then |
If assistance is for a Stafford/PLUS Loan Origination Fee Refund then |
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.
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, 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.
Need More Information?
More detailed information concerning applying for assistance is contained in Section 3-D of the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Manual.
Contact your local Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Representative.
Call CGMA-HQ (800) 881-2462 or (202) 493-6621
Send us an email: ARL-DG-CGMA@uscg.mil