The protection you earned — and how to claim it.
Most service members and veterans never claim this. Here's how.
What the SCRA is.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) can cap interest on debt you took on before active duty at 6% during your service period. On qualifying debt, interest above 6% is forgiven — not deferred, stacked, or owed later.
It applies across many common obligations — credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and personal loans — when those accounts were opened before you went active.
Does it apply to you?
Tap a point to expand the detail.
How to claim it.
- 1
Gather your active-duty orders
Pull a clean copy of your orders showing the start date of active duty. Keep it as a PDF you can attach to letters.
- 2
Write your lender requesting the 6% cap
Send a written request citing the SCRA. Attach your orders, list the account number, and ask for any interest above 6% to be forgiven for the covered period.
- 3
Mind the time window
Submit while on active duty or within 180 days of leaving active duty. Within that window, the cap applies retroactively to your first day of service. Mortgages get an additional 12-month protection beyond active duty. Earlier is stronger — don't sit on it.
- 4
Confirm the adjustment was applied
Review your next statement. Verify the rate dropped, that prior excess interest was credited, and keep written confirmation for your records.
The SCRA may lower your rate and, if you were charged above 6%, may let you recover some interest. It is not a guaranteed refund — what applies depends on your situation.
Frequently asked.
Quick answers on reservists, mortgages, and the post-service window.
Generate your SCRA request letter.
Fill in the form. Preview updates live. Download a personalized Word document when you're ready.
Your information
Active duty information
Creditor information
Letter date
I am a member of the United States [ Branch of service ] currently serving on active duty. My active-duty service began on [ Active-duty start date ]. I am writing to request relief under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 U.S.C. § 3937.
The account referenced above — account number [ Account number ] — is an obligation I incurred before beginning my active-duty service. Under the SCRA, the interest rate on this pre-service obligation is limited to 6% per year during my period of active duty, and any interest above 6% must be forgiven rather than deferred.
I respectfully request that you:
- Reduce the interest rate on this account to 6% per year, effective as of the date my active-duty service began;
- Forgive any interest charged above 6% on this account during my active-duty period; and
- Adjust my account and monthly payment to reflect the reduced rate.
Enclosed is a copy of my active-duty orders as proof of my eligibility. If you require any additional documentation, please contact me at the phone number or email address listed above.
Please provide me with written confirmation once this adjustment has been applied to my account. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Now let's clean up your credit reports.
SCRA was step one. Credit and debt are step two. We dispute what's wrong, help you manage what's right — mission complete when the work is done.
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