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SCRA benefits for service members

You may qualify for benefits under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and state military benefits. Find out how we've enhanced the government-required benefits with lower interest rates.

Apply now

What’s SCRA?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, or SCRA, provides financial relief and legal protections to eligible active-duty service members.

Federal benefits

This includes benefits like a 6% interest rate cap on debts you had before starting military service, protection from foreclosure and waived account fees. 

State benefits

Some states offer extra benefits. This might include deferring payments or extending benefits to families or dependents. To learn more, visit your state's official website.

What benefits does USAA offer?

We're committed to going above and beyond for our members. That's why we cap interest rates at 4% on qualifying accounts, exceeding the standard 6% rate.

We know it's important to get answers quickly. That's why we'll let you know if you can get SCRA benefits within 30 days.

Which accounts are eligible?

SCRA benefits typically apply to consumer credit accounts opened before you started your qualifying military service. This includes:

  • Credit cards

  • Auto loans

  • Personal loans

  • Home equity loans and lines of credit

  • Mortgages‍ ‍ See note 1

  • Other collateral loans

How we verify your eligibility

To find out if you qualify for federal SCRA benefits, we check your active-duty status with the Defense Manpower Data Center, or DMDC.

For state-specific benefits, we may also require additional documentation. If we need more information, we'll send you a letter asking for military documents, such as:

  • Title 10 or Title 32 active-duty orders.
  • A DD214 showing active-duty service.
  • A letter from your commanding officer with service dates on official letterhead.

SCRA FAQ

Yes, there are some exceptions. Accounts opened after you started your qualifying military service are generally not eligible.

Mortgages opened after you started your qualifying military service are generally not eligible. If you have questions about  SCRA benefits eligibility, reach out to your mortgage service company directly. Their contact information is on your monthly mortgage statement.

Possible reasons include:

  • Missed the deadline: We can't process your application if we get it more than 180 days after your qualifying military service ends.
  • Ineligible account: Your account was opened during or after your qualifying military service, or it was closed or charged off before you started on active duty.
  • Missing documentation: We need more information to check your active-duty status or account eligibility. Provide the required documents with copies of your orders if requested.
  • Authorized user: Military benefits apply only to primary and secondary account holders who are financially responsible for the account.

Before your SCRA benefits end, we'll review our records and DMDC data to check if you're eligible for an extension.

If you're not eligible for an extension, we'll let you know that you're no longer in a qualifying period of military service.

When your SCRA benefits end:

  • Your credit card or loan interest rate will go back to the regular or variable APR.
  • Any waived fees will be reinstated.

If your benefits are expiring and you remain eligible, you can reapply.

You can send us these documents one of the following ways.

On our mobile app:

  1. Save your document with "LNSSCRA" at the beginning of the file name.
  2. Log on to the USAA Mobile App.
  3. Tap the circle with your initials on an iOS device or “Inbox” on an Android device.
  4. Select "Send documents to USAA," then "Upload new documents" on an iOS device or "Upload other documents" on an Android device.
  5. Select "Banking” to send it to the right place, then tap “Add file” if you have them saved or “Take photo” if you want to take a picture of them. Add all the documents you need.
  6. Tap “Send” on an iOS device or the blue arrow on an Android device to send your documents.

Through our website:

  1. Save your document with "LNSSCRA" at the beginning of the file name.
  2. Log on to usaa.com.
  3. Select your initials, then “Inbox.”
  4. Select "Send documents to USAA,” then "Upload documents.”
  5. Select "Banking” to send it to the right place, then drag the files or use the "Attach files" to add all your documents.
  6. Select “Upload” to send us your documents.

By fax:

  1. Print and fill out our cover sheet Opens in a New Window.
  2. Fax the documents to 800-531-5717, with “Attn: LNSSCRA.”

Through regular mail:

  1. Print and fill out our cover sheet Opens in a New Window.
  2. Mail to:
    USAA Federal Savings Bank
    Attn: LNSSCRA
    10750 McDermott Freeway
    San Antonio, TX 78288-0544

Apply for your military benefits today.

To provide the best support, we can only accept one application at a time.

Apply now

Related footnotes:

  1. Mortgage loans originated by USAA Federal Savings Bank (USAA Bank) may be sold to investors or be subject to guarantor requirements, and these investors/guarantors may exercise their right to apply the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)'s 6% interest rate limitation. These loans are serviced by a third-party mortgage servicer. Contact your mortgage servicer to inquire about available military benefits. While USAA Bank owns your loan, active duty servicemembers receive enhanced benefits, including a maximum interest rate of 4.00% during active duty (and one year thereafter). If USAA Bank sells your loan, the new owner may adjust the interest rate to another rate permitted under the SCRA (or the original interest rate on your loan if less than 6%) for the remainder of your active-duty period (and one year thereafter), potentially affecting your payment. Furthermore, any State Military Benefits that USAA Bank extends beyond what is legally required may not be continued by a third-party investor/guarantor should the loan be sold.

Related footnotes:

  1. Membership eligibility and product restrictions apply and are subject to change.

  2. USAA FSB NMLS 401058

  3. USAA Federal Savings Bank offers deposit, credit card, consumer lending, mortgage, and other banking products and services. USAA Federal Savings Bank is a Member of FDIC. Credit card, mortgage and other lending products not FDIC-insured.

  4. USAA is an Equal Housing Lender

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