SSgt. Kevin Hanks knew when he first received his activation orders that he and his wife, Kathy, were looking at about a 70% decrease in the family’s income. Before being separated, the two sat down and carefully budgeted for their needs at home during SSgt. Hanks’ deployment. Although they believed they had covered every possibility, they quickly found that their expenses outstripped their means. It got to the point where Kathy was making the house payment with their VISA card. SSgt. Hanks found himself worrying more about her and less about his duty, his safety and that of his team.
They were told of Unmet Needs and applied for assistance. In what SSgt. Hanks calls an amazingly short time, the program delivered a cash grant to cover their bills.
SSgt. Hanks puts his relief in perspective by saying, “I was able to focus on my guys, my team who were counting on me. I didn’t have that worry about what was going on back home. It was wonderful. Unmet Needs really came through for Kathy and Me.”
SSgt. Hanks’ story in his own words – see video.