Military Benefits: SCRA

Request SCRA Benefits

What is the SCRA?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a federal statute that provides financial relief and protections to eligible military personnel serving on active duty. The goal of the SCRA is to enable those actively serving in the military to devote their energy to the defense of our country by relieving them from the distraction of certain civil matters.

SCRA Eligibility

The SCRA applies to active duty members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, members of the Reserve component when serving on active duty, members of the National Guard component mobilized under federal orders for more than 30 consecutive days, and active duty commissioned officers of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. SCRA rights may be exercised by anyone holding a valid power of attorney for the servicemember. Some SCRA protections also apply to dependents. 

What benefits are provided by the SCRA?

The SCRA provides an interest rate of no more than 6% and a waiver of certain account fees on all eligible loans. Additionally, eligible servicemembers will automatically receive protection from default judgments and repossession, eviction, and foreclosure without a court order.

I would like to request my SCRA benefits. What’s the next step?

You can simply reach out to a United Community Bank location or contact us at 1-800-822-2651 to request the SCRA benefits and get the process started to determine eligibility.

What does United Community Bank review to determine eligibility?

Once we receive a request to exercise your rights under SCRA, a copy of your service orders can be obtained by the bank from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) website to determine eligibility. Managed by the Department of Defense, the DMDC is a public database that provides active duty status information. If we are unable to verify eligibility, we will work with you to obtain a copy of acceptable military documents. Either way, our entire team is committed to making this process as easy as possible for you.

Are all of my accounts eligible for SCRA benefits?

While the SCRA provides benefits on accounts that were opened before the start of the servicemember’s active duty period, United Community Bank will apply protections to all accounts at the time you invoke your request to exercise your rights under SCRA. This includes lines of credit, auto loans, mortgage and home equity loans, and installment loans. 

Where can I find additional information about the SCRA?

Visit militaryonesource.mil to obtain more information about protections provided by the SCRA. Military OneSource is a Department of Defense funded program that has policy and program information, helpful resources, articles, and tips on numerous topics related to military life.