SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT 101: The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (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. It covers issues such as rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, eviction, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, mortgage foreclosure, civil judicial proceedings, automobile leases, life insurance, health insurance and income tax payments. The law was first passed in 1918 and most recently rewritten and expanded in 2003. It offers an umbrella of protections to military personnel whose service duties conflict with the financial obligations they have as civilians. The SCRA covers all active duty servicemembers, reservists and the members of the National Guard while on active duty. Many portions of SCRA apply to dependents, as well. The protection begins on the date of entering active duty and generally terminates within 30 to 90 days after the date of discharge from active duty.