MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Did you know that you can terminate your cell phone contract if you deploy for more than 90 days? Or if you get orders to somewhere where you can't get cell phone service?

In October, President Obama signed the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 which made some important updates to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Under this new law, any contract for cellular telephone service or telephone exchange service that you enter into before receiving military orders may be terminated if you relocate to an area that does not support the contract for more than 90 days.

In addition, if you terminate your contract under SCRA in most situations you will be able to keep your telephone number if you re-subscribe to the service within 90 days of returning. These provisions also apply to family plans!

To take advantage of this new provision, you simply need to provide written notice of such termination and a copy of your military orders to your service provider. Be sure to include the date on which the service is to be terminated.

Additional changes to SCRA under the Veterans' Benefit Act of 2010 include that landlords may not charge an early termination fee for cancelling a lease under SCRA and that servicemembers may file a lawsuit to enforce provisions under SCRA. Previously, only the government could sue for enforcement.

If you have any questions regarding SCRA or any other legal matter, please contact the Gunfighter Legal Office at 828-2238 or point your web browser to https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil/.