Guardlife -
Volume 31, No. 4
News Guard Families Can Use
Compiled by the Guardlife Staff
Frequently used websites
My Pay: http://www.dod.mil/dfas
TRICARE: http://www.tricare.osd. mil
TRICARE Health E-Mail Service
(THEMS): http://www.samhouston.army.mil/thems/them.asp
TRICARE Dental Program
(TDP): http://www.ucci.com/was/ucciweb/tdp/tdp.jsp
US Family Health Plan
(USFHP): http://www.usfhp.net
National Guard Family Programs: http://www.guardfamily.org
NJ Dept Military & Veterans
Affairs: http://www.state.nj.us/military
NJ National Guard Family Programs: http://www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/home.html
NJ Employer Support of the
Guard & Reserve: http://www.njesgr.org
ICE – “In Case Of
Emergency”
Following the London terrorist attacks,
the British ambulance service
launched a national “In Case of Emergency” (ICE)
campaign.
The idea, which has been adopted
here in the U.S., is that you store the
word “ICE” in your mobile phone address
book, and against it enter the
number of the person you would want
to be contacted “In Case of Emergency.” For
more than one contact
name program ICE1, ICE2, etc.
In an emergency situation ambulance
and hospital staff will then be
able to quickly find out who your next
of kin are and be able to contact them.
Veteran Home Loans
Many Guard members are eligible
for a VA home loan.
Guard members that have been
called to active duty for a minimum of
90-days may qualify. The VA home
loan program's purpose is to assist
veterans in the purchase of homes
with favorable loan terms and at a rate
of interest that’s competitive with the
rate charged elswhere.
VA loans offer important advantages.
They ensure that all veterans
are given an equal opportunity to buy
a home with VA assistance. Other
advantages include, no down payment
(certain restrictions apply) and a
competitive fixed interest rate. Among
others, you must have a good credit
record, and enough income to meet
the loan’s mortgage payments on the
loan. For a complete list of benefits
and requirements logon on to: www.homeloans.va.gov.
The first step to determine if you
qualify for a VA loan is to obtain a
Certificate of Eligibility through your
lender or from the VA. For more
information in obtaining a certificate
logon on to: www.home
loans.va.gov/elig1.htm. Or contact the VA
Eligibility Center directly at 1-888-487-1970.
FRC Offers Grants
The State Family Readiness
Council has established a Grant
Program that will provide both Family
and Business Grants to deserving
New Jersey National Guard
families impacted by deployment.
Business grants are up to
$5,000 and family grants $2,500.
Those interested should contact
Family Assistance through the
hotline at 1-888-859-0352. More
information is available at the
Council’s website help@njguardfamilies.com or through FACs
or
FRGs.
SCRA Info
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
(SCRA) protects active-duty military
families, including National Guard
troops called up to active duty, from
foreclosures, evictions and other financial
matters.
Under the law, servicemembers
are exempt from repossession or foreclosure
without a court order. The act
also caps service-members’ interest
rates at six percent, if military service
affects his or her ability to meet the
obligations, and allows them to terminate
any real estate lease when their
military orders require them to do so.
The law also forbids judges from
holding military personnel in default
on any legal matter unless the court
has first appointed a lawyer to protect
the individual.
State Park Passes
All Active New Jersey National
Guard members are entitled to Division
of Parks and Forestry State Park
passes. The pass entitles the NJNG
member (and passengers) free parking
at all New Jersey State Parks,
Forests, Recreation Areas and Historic
Sites. This pass does not include
campground fees. ID cards must be
shown along with this pass for access.
National Guard members and their
families can obtain state park passes through the
State Family Programs
office by calling 609-562-0739 or at
any National Guard Family Assistance
Centers. For more information
contact Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ralph
Cwieka, State Family Program Coordinator
at 609-562-0668 or e-mail:
Ralph.cwieka@nj.ngb.army.mil.
Or call toll free: 1-888-859-0352.
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