Section 3956 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) allows active duty service members to end their cell phone, internet, and cable contracts early. The SCRA offers protections to active duty and inactive-duty training members of the Armed Forces, Reserves, National Guard, and other uniformed service positions. For those that qualify, family members may also be able to break their contracts.

No, under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) a termination fee cannot be charged (50 USC § 3956(e)(1)). Service members may still have to pay any unpaid fees or taxes they were responsible for before ending their contract.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act gives active duty service members and their dependents the ability to cancel a contract without penalty when:

1. The contract is for cell phone, internet, telephone (landline), or multichannel video programming (cable) services,
2. The contract was signed before the service member's orders were given,
3. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders were given OR the service member is being deployed outside to the continental United States for more than 90 days, AND 
4. Their new location is not covered by the company’s service area. 

For service members that need to get out of a contract because of relocation orders:

1. Contact the company that is providing the service
2. Ask for an address or email address of where the termination documents should be sent
3. Write a signed electronic or handwritten letter that states:
   • That the request is being made per 50 U.S.C. § 3956 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
   • Date of termination
   • That the relocation is for at least 90 days
   • Name(s) on the account
   • Account number
   • If the cell phone or landline number should be kept or if it can be released to someone else
4. Send a copy of the signed letter with a copy of the PCS orders
   • Sending the documents electronically with a read receipt or via registered mail allows the service member to make sure the documents were received by the service provider.
5. Return the provider’s equipment within 10 days of service being disconnected.

Cell phone service contract termination letter example

It depends. A spouse or dependent may end their contract when:

• They are on the same contract with the service member (Example: a “family plan”),
• They are relocating with the service member,
• The service member received a catastrophic injury or illness while on-duty, or
• The service member or reservist dies while on-duty.

Yes. Section 3956(f) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, requires that the service provider return any prepaid fees within 60 days of the termination date. Payments are not prorated; if the termination date takes place midmonth, the service member is still responsible for paying for the entire month.

Yes. Service members and their dependents may either transfer their phone number to a new provider or ask their current provider to keep, or retain, their phone number. Phone numbers can be retained for a maximum of 3 years. The service member has 90 days after returning from active duty to re-subscribe and claim their phone number.

Yes, a service member may re-subscribe during the 90-day period without having to pay an activation fee. They may have to pay installation or equipment fees. 50 U.S.C. § 3956(e)(2)