The CGMA sponsor should normally be the applicant, however, due to deployment, temporary assignments, being underway, serious illness or death of sponsor and other situations, there will be times when it will be necessary for a spouse or eligible family member to request assistance.

See the Pre-Authorization section to see additional requirements when a spouse or eligible family member requests assistance.

Contact your local Representative for additional information.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
1005 N. Glebe Road
Suite 220
Arlington, VA 22201

Contact your local Representative for additional information.

Applicants are to read, thoroughly complete and sign the application for assistance. If there is insufficient space on the application, additional pages may be attached, as needed, to provide complete information.

The completed signed application, along with endorsements and supporting documents, will form the basis for determining if assistance may be provided.

At a minimum, the applicant must complete the "Assistance Requested" block of the application for assistance. This information should be detailed enough for the Representative to understand the applicant's need and to assist in making a decision on the request.

However, in more complex or unusual cases, in addition to the information provided on the application, applicants are encouraged to provide an additional statement that may help explain or justify the need for assistance.

Generally, the more information provided by the applicant explaining the situation they are in, their need, and what they are expecting from CGMA, the easier it will be to understand the applicant's request and to make the correct decision as to whether or not assistance may be provided.

Contact your local Representative for additional information.

The CGMA Budget Form (CGMA Form 15) provides a standard format for organizing budgetary data.

It allows both the client and the Representative to have a clear picture of the financial assistance needed and the client's current and projected financial situation. The budget can also be used to determine the client's ability to repay any assistance given and to develop a long-term plan for financial self-sufficiency.

By listing the client's sources of income, deductions and expenses, a detailed picture of the client's financial situation will emerge from the budget process.

Clients do not have to include the CGMA Budget Form (CGMA Form 15) when requesting an endorsement from their command.

They will however, be required to include the CGMA Budget Form along with all other supporting documents when submitting their request for assistance to the CGMA Representative.

Contact your local Representative for additional information.

Due to deployment, temporary assignments, being underway, serious illness or death of sponsor and other situations, there will be times when it will be necessary for a spouse or eligible family member to request assistance.

In addition to the other documentation requirements listed, in situations where a spouse or eligible family member requests assistance, one of the following items will normally be required prior to providing assistance.

• Power of Attorney
• Pre-Authorization Form
• Verbal or written consent of the sponsor

Sponsors and family members must clearly understand that such authorizations merely allow CGMA to assist if there is a need. CGMA will decide whether or not to approve a request based on the merits of the case and the appropriate CGMA policies.

Contact your local Representative for additional information.

Ideally, the endorsement may be made in writing on the CGMA Application for Assistance. However, the endorsement may be made by fax, email or telephone when necessary and conditions justify these means of communication.

Representative are to include a statement on the application for assistance when one of these optional methods are utilized.

Contact your local Representative for additional information.

All applicants requesting assistance are expected to furnish full supporting documentation justifying their need for assistance.

Poor or missing documentation can cause undue delays and hardship and can result in postponement or disapproval of cases even though it appears that a legitimate need for assistance may exist.

Fully documenting and supporting the case not only will allow the case to be quickly and accurately reviewed and processed, it will greatly improve the likelihood of a favorable decision.

Representatives may require the applicant provide additional documentation they feel is necessary in aiding them in evaluating the request for assistance.

Representatives may disapprove a request for assistance when they feel the applicant has not provided adequate documentation to justify the request.

In emergency situations (death in the immediate family, emergency travel, and other emotionally sensitive situations Representatives may postpone the requirement for providing full documentation and completing a budget until a later appropriate time.

Contact your local Representative for additional information.