the Society does not normally provide assistance for  the  following  purposes: Paying  expenses  which  service  members or  dependents  can  meet  by  proper  management of  their  own  resources Financing  business  ventures,  purchasing a  home,  car,  or  similar  major  investment Purchase   of   nonessential   items,   paying interest  on  loans,  or  consolidating  debts Paying   debts   incurred   before   becoming eligible  for  Navy  Relief  assistance Making  payments  on  motor  vehicles, insurance and license fees Financing  liberty  or  normal  annual  leave Paying  taxes  and  legal  expense Covering  bad  checks,  providing  bail,  or paying fines RESTRICTIONS   ON   ASSISTANCE   PRO- VIDED   CERTAIN   PERSONS.—Assistance   is not   provided   to   deserters,   unauthorized absentees,  or  personnel  in  a  disciplinary  status as a result of court-martial. Dependents of such individuals who seek Navy Relief assistance are referred   to   local   welfare   agencies.   While   the application  for  welfare  is  being  processed,  Navy Relief may provide minimal essential assistance to  prevent  hardship.  Alternatively,  if  a  member of  the  family  or  a  friend  is  willing  and  able  to provide them shelter in another area, the Society may furnish necessary assistance for transporta- tion. SHIPBOARD   BRANCHES.—Many   large ships  have  Navy  Relief  branch  offices  aboard. Chaplains and RPs will invariably be involved in varying  degrees  in  the  operation  of  this  office. Senior  RPs,  E-6  and  above,  may  serve  as  Navy Relief interviewers. The American Red Cross The  American  Red  Cross  provides  financial assistance  on  the  basis  of  need  for: Basic   maintenance   pending   receipt   of support  allotments Travel  and  maintenance  expenses  in  con- nection with emergency leave Travel  and  maintenance  expenses  to enable  a  family  member  to  visit  a  seriously  ill service member Other  emergency  needs  that  arise  during the  period  of  military  service The financial assistance programs of the Red Cross  and  the  Navy  Relief  Society  parallel  each other  in  many  respects,  and  in  general,  each serves  those  who  apply  directly  to  them.  For dependents  living  at  a  distance  from  an  NRS auxiliary, or for service members in training, the Red  Cross  will  help  with  applications  to  NRS, provide  information  and  advance  funds  at  the authorization  of  NRS  for  later  reimbursement. Navy Legal Services Some  preventive  financial  counseling  is  per- formed by Navy legal assistance officers through predeployment   or   regular   homeport   briefings for  service  members.  In  addition,  spouses  are counseled  via  the  Navy  Wives  Information School.  Discussion  of  powers  of  attorney,  wills, rental   leases,   state   income   tax   requirements, financial   aspects   of   the   Soldiers   and   Sailors Relief  Act,  and  consumer  protection  are  often part  of  the  informal  financial  counseling available through the Legal Assistance Program. T H E    L E G A L    A S S I S T A N C E    P R O - GRAM.—The   primary   purpose   of   the   Legal Assistance  Program  is  to  interview,  advise,  and assist  members  of  the  Armed  Forces  of  the United States and their dependents, and military personnel of allied nations serving in the United States, its territories or possessions. The service is  intended  primarily  for  the  benefit  of:  person- nel during active service; retired military person- nel and their dependents; survivors of members of the Armed Forces who would be eligible were the service member alive; and in overseas areas, if  the  workload  of  the  legal  office  renders  such service feasible, to civilians, other than local-hire employees,  who  are  in  the  employ  of,  serving with, or accompanying the United States Armed Forces and their dependents. 5-23