Assistance for Connecticut Military Servicemembers and Their Families

It is sometimes more difficult for the families of Reserve and National Guard personnel to access the same facilities and support networks that are provided to the families of other active duty servicemen and women. This page is intended to serve as a services center for those servicemembers and their families.

If you need further help, or if you have any trouble getting the assistance you need from the organizations listed below, please call Congresswoman DeLauro's New Haven office at 203-562-3718.

BEFORE DEPLOYMENT

  • Make Legal Preparation

1. Establish or update a power of attorney 
2. Establish or update your will.

Below are some community resources that may be of assistance in locating an attorney to speak with.

  • Make Financial Preparations

    1. Make sure that your spouse or trusted agent has access to your bank accounts.
    2. Update your family budget.

    Many civilian soldiers take a pay cut when called to active duty. 
    M    ake a budget so that your family is prepared.

    3. Review your life insurance policies.

    Recent legislation has increased the amount of Servicemen's Group
    Life Insurance coverage for which servicemembers become eligible 
    upon activation. As of September 1, 2005, you may be eligible for up 
    to $400,000 of coverage. You should check any other commercial life 
    insurance you have see if your life insurance policy excludes paying if 
    you are killed in war, or military service.

  • Know Your Rights!

Review the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2004. Click here to read it. 
This legislation provides financial protection to members of the Armed Forces during deployment – ensuring that you cannot be evicted, suffer undue increases in credit card interest or mortgage rates, and may provide you with an automatic extension for filing income taxes.

It is very important that you and a spouse of trusted friend are familiar with this legislation so that you know your rights and how to protect them.

  • Family Preparations

1. Make sure that your family is familiar with TRICARE. Click here to read about it. 
2. Make sure that your family's military ID cards are current and will not expire during your deployment. 
3. If you have children, notify their school that you are being deployed.

Teachers and administrators will know to watch out for signs that the child is struggling.

4. DON'T try to go it alone.

Deployment is a stressful time for each and every member of your family. 
There is no shame in seeking counseling to deal with the many issues that 
arise before, during and after deployment. Please contact my New Haven 
office (203-562-3718) if you need help.

DURING DEPLOYMENT

  • Helping Families Stay in Touch

1. Phone Cards

Free phone cards are available for members of the military deployed to 
Iraq or Southwest Asia: (due to high demand, the cards may take 4-6 
weeks to be delivered) http://www.operationuplink.org/request.cfm

2. Operation Child Care

Operation Child Care is a program designed to support the short-term child 
care needs of active National Guard and Reserve members.

3. Hero Miles

The Hero Miles program was started to provide free round trip tickets 
donated by the American public to the almost 500 soldiers arriving each 
day from Iraq on R & R Leave last fall. This public response helped 
persuade Congress to change the law and beginning January 1, 2004, the 
Pentagon now pays for these domestic flights for the soldiers. 
Hero Miles tickets are now used to fly family members of wounded soldiers 
to U.S. military hospitals and be at the bedside of their loved ones. In 
general, soldiers should check with their command for ticket eligibility. 
Unfortunately, many more soldiers need tickets than are available, so tickets 
will usually be made available to those with the greatest need or the most 
severe financial burden, or at random. For more information:http://www.heromiles.org/

4. Relief Societies

For extreme financial emergencies, contact the Red Cross .

5. Getting Information to Troops in the Field

The American Red Cross provides a 24-hour a day communication link 
between military personnel and their families during an emergency. It is 
uniquely equipped to provide an exclusive worldwide communications and 
support network that serves as a lifeline between military service members 
and their families. For the American soldier and his or her family, the Red 
Cross is the connection to home, relaying urgent information -- a family 
crisis, a death in the family, a financial emergency, or a joyous birth. F or 
the Third District, contact the American Red Cross at:http://www.southcentralctredcross.org/

6. Purchasing Body Armor

Many families have purchased body armor for their deployed
servicemember. The Department of Defense is REQUIRED to reimburse 
you for these expenses! Click here to download the reimbursement form.

AFTER DEPLOYMENT

1. Returning to Work

After deployment is over, it is imperative that Reservists are aware of the 
laws governing their re-entry into civilian life. A non-technical description 
of your legal rights, along with sample letters to your employer can be 
found here: http://www.esgr.org/members2/thelaw.asp

 

2. Counseling Services

The need for counseling is common among families whose loved ones are
deployed, or who have just returned from service overseas. Feelings of 
sadness, frustration, or even anger, are perfectly normal, but it is often 
helpful to share these feelings with a mental health professional. For 
families coping with the extended deployment of a relative, there are a 
number of resources in our community to look to for mental health care. 
You can also call my New Haven office at 203-562-3718.

 

3. Veterans Administration

4. Additional Services

To find out about local services and jobs: www.warriorgateway.org.