We Support Our Nation's Military

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

We want to make sure our servicemembers are aware of the laws that support them, including the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), and the benefits it offers. 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. The SCRA protects members of the regular force and members of the National Guard and other Reserve components called to active duty (starting on the date active duty orders are received) and, in limited situations, their dependents. The SCRA may cover rental agreements, security deposits, eviction, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, mortgage foreclosure, automobile leases, life insurance, health insurance and income tax payments.

Eligibility

If you are a military servicemember who received a loan or credit prior to a period of applicable military service, you may be eligible for an interest rate reduction benefit and may be protected from non-judicial foreclosure and repossession of property without a court order. Other SCRA protections may apply to all military members while serving during an eligible period.

You may be eligible if you are:

On active duty, defined as full-time in the active military service of the United States, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, including as a member of a reserve component that is called to active duty. Active duty includes full-time training duty, annual training duty and attendance (while in the active military service) at a school designated as a service school by law or by the secretary of the military department concerned.
On active service as a member of the National Guard called to service by order of the Federal Government
On active service as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA
The spouse, domestic partner or dependent of a covered service member
Called to duty under state-issued orders; some state laws provide similar benefits for National Guard members

Who is not eligible for benefits and protections?

Individuals who received their loan or credit while on active duty in the military service are not eligible for the 6% interest rate cap or the protection from non-judicial foreclosure or repossession
National Guard members, except when called to service by federal or some state-issued orders

Benefits

Line of credit and credit card benefits:

Reduction or limits on interest rates. If you enter active duty and have an existing credit card, you may be entitled to a lower interest rate. While you are on active duty, lenders generally can't impose an interest rate higher than 6% on debts incurred prior to active duty. The 6% rate is in effect for your entire active duty service.
Reduced payments. If your interest rate is higher than 6%, your payments will be reduced to reflect the lower interest rate.

Installment contract benefits (including auto, RV, boat, motorcycle and other vehicle loans):

Reduction or limits on interest rates. If you enter active duty and have an existing installment contract, you may be entitled to a lower interest rate. Lenders generally can't impose an interest rate higher than 6% on debts incurred prior to active duty. The 6% rate is in effect for your entire active duty service.
Reduced payments. If your interest rate is higher than 6%, your payments will be reduced to reflect the lower interest rate.
Protection from repossession. If you enter active duty and have an existing loan, you're protected from repossession unless a court issues an order allowing the repossession to take place.

Home loan and home equity benefits:

Reduction or limits on interest rates. if you enter active duty and have an existing home loan, you may be entitled to a lower interest rate. Lenders generally can't impose an interest rate greater than 6% on debts incurred prior to active duty. The 6% cap is in effect for your entire period of active duty service. For home loans, the benefit extends 1 year beyond your period of 1 year beyond your period of military service. For home loans, the benefit extends 1 year beyond your period of military service.
Reduced payments. If you are eligible for military benefits and your interest rate higher than 6%, your payments can be reduced to reflect the lower interest rate.
Protection from foreclosure. The SCRA generally prevents lenders from foreclosing (unless there's a court order) on eligible active duty servicemembers during their period of military service and 12 months thereafter.

Apply

How to request benefits:

Servicemembers have up to 180 days from the date military service is completed to request benefits. To submit a request, you will need to complete and deliver a MILITARY BENEFIT REQUEST FORM (PDF,requires Adobe Reader) by following these instructions:

To get your application started:

Download and complete the MILITARY BENEFIT REQUEST FORM
Submit completed form via:
- US Mail: COPOCO Community Credit Union Attn: Military Benefits, PO Box 1520, Bay City MI 48706
- Fax: Attn: Military Benefits, 989-667-3600
- Deliver to Branch Office:
  - Wilder Branch | 4265 E Wilder Road, Bay City MI 48706
  - Straits Branch | 1479 Straits Drive, Bay City MI 48706
  - Cabaret Trail Branch | 3262 Cabaret Trail S., Saginaw MI 48603

Important Security notice: We do not recommend email transmission, as sending personal information through unsecured email may place your inofrmation at risk of being seen by unauthorized parties.

What happens after you submit your benefit request form?

COPOCO Community Credit Union will use the information you provide on the Military Benefits Request Form to verify your eligibility for military benefits including contacting the Department of Defense's Manpower Data Center (DMDC). If we are unable to confirm your military service through DMDC, we may contact you to provide additional qualifying military documentation. Please allow up to 30 days for a response to your request.

For additional information regarding request for Military Benefits, contact us at : 989-460-3638 or email us at militarybenefits@copoco.org

NOTE: The information on this page is only intended to address the benefits and protections under the federal SCRA and comparable state laws. It does not address other military-related laws, rules or programs.