SCRA Glossary
Plain-English definitions for every SCRA term. From "Active Duty" to "Waiver," understand the law that protects you.
6% Interest Rate Cap
The most valuable SCRA protection. Limits interest on pre-service debts to 6% during active duty, potentially saving thousands annually on credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages.
Learn MoreFull-time duty in the active military service of the United States. This includes members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and …
A sworn statement regarding whether a person is in military service. Before entering a default judgment, courts must require plaintiffs to file an affidavit stating …
Federal agency that enforces consumer protection laws, including SCRA. Servicemembers can file complaints with the CFPB if lenders fail to comply with SCRA interest rate …
Non-criminal legal matters including lawsuits, divorce proceedings, child custody cases, contract disputes, and debt collection actions. SCRA provides protections for servicemembers involved in civil proceedings …
While SCRA does not directly address all contracts, some states and the Telecommunications Act allow servicemembers to cancel cell phone, gym, internet, and other service …
The 48 contiguous states plus the District of Columbia. PCS orders to a location outside CONUS (such as Alaska, Hawaii, or overseas) qualify for vehicle …
An attorney appointed by the court to represent the interests of an absent servicemember before a default judgment can be entered. This protection ensures servicemembers …
A court judgment entered against a party who fails to appear or respond in a lawsuit. SCRA requires courts to appoint an attorney to represent …
A spouse, child, or other family member who relies on a servicemember for support. Some SCRA protections extend to dependents, including eviction protection and certain …
Military orders directing a servicemember to deploy with a military unit for a specified period. For residential lease termination, orders must be for 90+ days. …
The Department of Defense agency that maintains the SCRA database. Lenders and courts use DMDC to verify servicemembers' active duty status when processing SCRA claims.
The Department of Justice has authority to bring civil enforcement actions for SCRA violations. The DOJ has prosecuted numerous cases against lenders who failed to …
A person's permanent legal home for tax and voting purposes. Under SCRA, servicemembers do not lose their domicile solely because of military relocation, protecting them …
When National Guard or Reserve members are called to active duty under federal orders (Title 10). Federal activation provides full SCRA protections, unlike state activations …
SCRA protection prohibiting foreclosure, sale, or seizure of property owned by a servicemember during military service and for 12 months after, without a court order. …
Under SCRA, excess interest above 6% is permanently forgiven, not deferred. This means servicemembers never have to pay back the interest that exceeds the cap …
The SCRA limits interest rates to 6% per year on all debts incurred before entering military service. This includes credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, student …
The SCRA right allowing servicemembers to terminate residential and vehicle leases without penalty when entering military service, receiving PCS orders, or receiving deployment orders of …
SCRA protection preventing life insurance policies from lapsing due to nonpayment of premiums during military service. The government may pay premiums on policies up to …
A legal standard meaning that military service has a direct impact on the servicemember's ability to pay a debt or meet a financial obligation. Servicemembers …
Official documents issued by military authorities directing a servicemember to active duty, deployment, or permanent change of station. These orders are required documentation when requesting …
As defined by SCRA, military service includes active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, commissioned corps of NOAA, …
Under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA), spouses of servicemembers may keep the same state of domicile as the servicemember for income tax purposes, …
A separate federal law (not part of SCRA) that protects active duty servicemembers and their dependents from predatory lending. MLA caps interest at 36% on …
The protection of the 6% interest rate cap and foreclosure prohibition for mortgages incurred before military service. Servicemembers are protected during service and for 12 …
State-based military forces that can be activated by either federal or state authorities. Guard members receive SCRA protections when federally activated (Title 10), but not …
The requirement that servicemembers provide written notice to landlords or lessors when terminating a lease under SCRA, along with a copy of their military orders. …
Military orders directing a servicemember to move to a new duty station. PCS orders qualify servicemembers for lease termination rights under SCRA, allowing them to …
Any debt or obligation incurred before a servicemember enters active duty. Only pre-service debts qualify for the SCRA 6% interest rate cap. Debts incurred after …
SCRA provides servicemembers with the right to sue in court for violations of the Act. Remedies may include actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.
SCRA allows professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) called to active duty to suspend their professional liability (malpractice) insurance coverage during service, and reinstate it without proof …
The maximum monthly rent amount for SCRA eviction protection to apply. This amount is adjusted annually by the Department of Defense based on the Consumer …
The Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve. Reserve members receive SCRA protections when called to active duty …
A lease for housing purposes (apartment, house, etc.). Under SCRA, servicemembers can terminate residential leases when entering military service or receiving orders for PCS or …
The repayment of excess interest that a servicemember has already paid above the 6% cap. Lenders are required to refund overpayments, and servicemembers can request …
A document from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) that verifies a person's military status. Lenders and courts may request this certificate to confirm SCRA …
When a lender, landlord, or other party fails to comply with SCRA requirements. Violations can result in civil lawsuits by servicemembers, enforcement actions by federal …
A person on active duty in the military services, including activated National Guard and Reserve members. SCRA protections apply to servicemembers and, in some cases, …
When National Guard members are called to duty by their state governor for state emergencies or missions. State activations (Title 32) are generally NOT covered …
A court-ordered delay or suspension of civil proceedings. Under SCRA, servicemembers may request a stay of at least 90 days if their military duties materially …
SCRA provisions allowing servicemembers to maintain their state of domicile for tax purposes regardless of where they are stationed. This includes protection for military spouse …
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Amendments and FCC regulations, servicemembers can terminate cell phone contracts without early termination fees when deployed or relocated under …
The section of U.S. law that governs the armed forces. When National Guard or Reserve members are called to "Title 10 status," they are federally …
State-controlled National Guard duty funded by the federal government. Guard members on Title 32 orders are NOT automatically covered by federal SCRA, though some states …
No terms found matching your search.
Ready to Claim Your Benefits?
Now that you understand the terms, let SCRA Saver handle your claims.
Calculate Your Savings