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Compiled by the Guardlife Staff

SCRA explained

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act covers all National Guard members while on active duty. The protection begins on the date of entering active duty and generally terminates within 30 to 90 days after the date of discharge from active duty.

The SCRA provides a wide range of protections for individuals entering, called to active duty, or deployed servicemembers. It is intended to postpone or suspend certain civil obligations to enable service members to devote full attention to duty and relieve stress on the family members of those deployed servicemembers. A few examples of such obligations you may be protected against are: outstanding credit card debt, mortgage payments, pending trials, taxes and lease terminations.

The Act expands current law that protects servicemembers and their families from eviction from housing while on active duty due to nonpayment of rents. Under the new provisions this protection would cover housing leases up to $2,720.95 per month – and then be adjusted annually to account for inflation.

SCRA clarifies limits to six percent interest on credit obligations incurred prior to military service or activation, including credit card debt. Please note that this law only covers debt incurred prior to military service.

The Act will prevent states from using the income earned by a servicemember in determining the spouse’s tax rate when they do not maintain their permanent legal residence in that state.

If you haven’t already taken advantage of the SCRA, please look into it so that you get the full benefits allowed to you under the law. Remember that only a lawyer can advise you on legal matters.

Family Readiness increases grants

The New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council has increased the amounts of family and business grants up to $5,000 and $10,000, respectively. Both grants are known as TIER I grants.

TIER II family grants are also available to New Jersey Army and Air National Guard non-deployed servicemembers who served on State Active Duty or State Missions (e.g., hurricanes, floods, border missions) for more than 20 consecutive days. Servicemembers meeting these criteria are eligible to apply for a financial hardship grant up to $1,500.

Applications are available at all New Jersey Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance Centers

Family Assistance Centers

108th Air Refueling Wing
3327 Charles Blvd.
McGuire AFB, NJ 08641
POC: Doug Ridgway doug.ridgway@njmcgu.ang.af.mil
Jersey City Armory
678 Montgomery Street
Jersey City, NJ 07306-2208
POC: SFC (Ret) Bernard Sims
bernard.sims@us.army.mil
Lawrenceville Armory
151 Eggert Crossing Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-2897
POC: Jane Hackbarth
jane.e.hackbarth@us.army.mil
Morristown Armory
430 Jockey Hollow Road
Morristown, NJ 07960-0499
POC: SFC (Ret) Robert Kraemer
robert.kraemer@us.army.mil
Pomona NJNG FAC
400 Langley Road
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234
POC (Air): CMSgt (Ret) Paul Gunning



paul.gunning@njatla.ang.af.mil

POC (Army): CSM (Ret) Michael Hughes
michael.hughes@njatla.ang.af.mil
Somerset Armory
1060 Hamilton Street
Somerset, NJ 08873
POC: John Hales
john.a.hales@us.army.mil
Teaneck Armory
Teaneck & Liberty Roads
Teaneck NJ 07666-0687
POC: SFC (Ret) Janis Shaw
janis.m.shaw@us.army.mil
Toms River Armory
1200 Whitesville Road
Toms River, NJ 08753
POC: Maria Morro
maria.morro1@us.army.mil
Woodbury Armory
658 North Evergreen Avenue
Woodbury, NJ 08096
POC: Michele Daisey
michele.daisey1@us.army.mil
or call 1-888-859-0352
Guardmembers, become A Recruiting Assistant and for every person you recruit into the new jersey Army or Air national guard you earn $2,000. Login to http://guardrecruitingassistant.com/ pick your branch of service. fill out the application and you are on your way to helping someone make a great career choice and some serious cash for yourself.
Table of Contents
Volume 34 Number 4 Staff / Information
     
(c) 2009 NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
http://www.nj.gov/military