Servicemembers Civil Relief Act [Summary]

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), formerly known as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA), is a federal law that provides protections for military members as they enter active duty. It covers issues such as rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, eviction, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, mortgage foreclosure, civil judicial proceedings, automobile leases, life insurance, health insurance and income tax payments.

You should contact your nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program office to see if the SCRA applies. Dependents of servicemembers can also contact or visit local military legal assistance offices where they reside. Please consult the military legal assistance office locator for each branch of the armed forces.

We encourage all servicemembers to first seek assistance from a local military legal assistance office.  However, if military legal assistance cannot resolve the concern, you are not eligible for military legal assistance services, or the matter is time-sensitive, the Department will review the complaint to determine whether action is appropriate.