The Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act
Congress passed the SCRA to let you focus on your mission, not your debts. This law caps interest rates at 6% on pre-service obligations—and you may be owed refunds for overpayments you've already made.
Your SCRA Knowledge Base
Deep dives into every aspect of your SCRA benefits. Click any topic to learn more.
The 6% Rate Cap
How the interest rate cap works, which debts qualify, and how to calculate your potential savings.
Eligibility Requirements
Find out if you qualify based on your service status, debt timing, and military orders.
Retroactive Refunds
How to recover interest you've overpaid—even years after the fact.
National Guard
Special considerations for Guard members including Title 10 vs Title 32 activations.
Reserve Members
SCRA protections for Reservists called to active duty and how to document eligibility.
MLA vs SCRA
Understanding the difference between the Military Lending Act and SCRA protections.
Lease Termination
Terminate residential leases penalty-free with PCS or deployment orders.
Vehicle Lease
End auto leases early without penalties when you receive qualifying orders.
Contract Cancellation
Cancel cell phone, gym, internet, and security contracts without fees.
Foreclosure Protection
Prevent foreclosure during service and get your mortgage rate capped at 6%.
Insurance Protections
Protect life insurance from cancellation and suspend professional liability.
Tax Protections
Maintain state domicile, protect your spouse from taxes, and defer payments.
Legal Protections
Prevent default judgments, request stays, and reopen past judgments.
How to File Claims
Step-by-step process for filing SCRA claims with all your lenders.
What is the SCRA?
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is a federal law that provides financial and legal protections to military personnel on active duty. Originally passed in 1940 as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act, it was updated and renamed in 2003.
The law recognizes that military service can make it difficult to meet financial obligations and protects service members from unfair treatment by lenders, landlords, and courts during their service.
The most valuable benefit for most service members is the 6% interest rate cap on pre-service debts. This applies to credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and other obligations incurred before entering military service.
Key SCRA Protections
6% Interest Rate Cap
Caps interest at 6% per year on debts incurred before active duty. Excess interest is forgiven, not deferred.
Lease Termination Rights
Terminate residential or vehicle leases early without penalty when receiving PCS or deployment orders.
Foreclosure Protection
Protection from foreclosure and eviction during service and for 12 months after.
Default Judgment Protection
Courts must appoint an attorney before entering default judgment against service members.
How to Claim Your Benefits
The SCRA claims process is straightforward. Here's what you need to do.
Verify Your Eligibility
Confirm your active duty status and identify debts that were incurred before your service began. Use the DMDC SCRA website to get official verification.
Gather Your Documentation
Collect your military orders showing your active duty start date and statements from your lenders showing account details and interest rates.
Submit Requests to Each Lender
Contact each lender with a written request for SCRA benefits, including copies of your military orders. Each lender has their own process.
Track & Receive Your Benefits
Follow up with lenders to ensure your rate is reduced and any retroactive refunds are processed. This can take 30-90 days per lender.
Do You Qualify for SCRA Benefits?
Answer yes to all four to confirm your eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Claim Your Benefits?
Stop leaving money on the table. SCRA Saver automates the entire claims process so you can focus on what matters.