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.
What is the SCRA?
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is a federal law that provides powerful financial and legal protections to active duty military members. It ensures you can focus on your mission without worrying about civil legal matters back home.
Originally enacted in 1940, the SCRA has evolved to provide over 21 distinct protections covering interest rates, housing, contracts, court proceedings, and more. Yet most service members never claim these benefits.
Learn More About SCRAA federal law providing financial and legal protections to active duty service members, allowing them to defer or reduce certain civil obligations during military service.
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.
Military Spouse & Family Guides
What is the SCRA?
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. §§ 3901-4043) 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 substantially 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 under 50 U.S.C. § 3937. This applies to credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and other obligations incurred before entering military service. The excess interest above 6% is "forgiven"—not just deferred—meaning you never have to pay it back.
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 (§ 3953)
Protection from foreclosure and eviction during service and for 12 months after under 50 U.S.C. § 3953(c).
Default Judgment Protection (§ 3931)
Courts must appoint an attorney before entering default judgment. You have 60 days post-service to reopen under 50 U.S.C. § 3931(g).
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
Let Us Handle Your SCRA Claims
For one $59 filing fee, we contact ALL your lenders, send certified letters, track responses, and follow up until you get every dollar you're owed. 98% success rate.