Fairchild AFB  Military and Family Support Center

Personal Financial Management (PFR):

Individual and family appointments are available for personal financial management topics such as: developing a spending  plan, getting out of debt, using Power Pay, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), home buying, car buying, saving for college, preparing for baby, investing, saving for retirement, etc.

Personal Financial Management classes are offered to all First Term Airmen at FTAC.  Spokane has recently seen a rise in the cost of living. If you are moving to the area please ask your sponsor about the current cost of living.  There is no Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for this area.

Minimum car insurance coverage requirements are a liability policy with limits of at least 25/50/10. This means: $25,000 for injury to another person; $50,000 for injuries to all other persons; $10,000 for damage to another's property. If you need emergency financial assistance while in route, you may contact the family center of ANY branch of the military.  Go to, or call, the nearest military installation. You will most likely reach the base operator, who can transfer you to the Military Family Center. If it is outside of duty hours, the operator may put you through to the Command Post.

If there is no military installation nearby, you may contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337. Other agencies which may assist include the local Salvation Army, local hospitals for a medical emergency (be sure to contact Tricare as soon as feasible), and American Automobile Association or other roadside assistance to which you subscribe. Many communities also have a 2-1-1 number to call for referral to many assistance agencies.

If you will be delayed in getting to your new installation, be sure to contact your sponsor and/or your new supervisor.

TLF:

Temporary Lodging costs are $77 - $87, depending on availability (not on rank). Members in PCS status are usually authorized up to 10 days Temporary Lodging Allowance for CONUS to CONUS moves (both bases, not each), and up to 5 days for OCUNUS to CONUS moves.

A one-bedroom apartment averages near $1300.  The median purchase price for a home in nearby communities is between $300,000 – $400,000.  Average monthly utility payments (energy and water) are $150 - $350 (will be higher in winter than summer).

Advanced Pay:

The purpose of an advance of pay incident to PCS is to provide a Service Member with funds to meet the extraordinary expenses of a Government-ordered relocation.  An advance of pay shall not be authorized for the specific out-of-pocket expenses covered by advances of other pays and entitlements if such advances are used. The Service Member may be authorized an advance of pay to the extent that incurred or anticipated expenses exceed those covered by the following advances or reimbursements or are outside the scope of those entitlements:

a. Overseas station housing allowance;

b. Service Member and/or dependent travel allowances and per diem at 80%;

c. Dislocation allowance;

d. Basic allowance for quarters and/or variable housing allowance.

e. Base pay

An advance of pay for a PCS move in the same geographic area of a Service Member's prior duty station, or place from which ordered to active duty, is only authorized when the Service Member moves his/her household effects at Government expense. Proof of HHG shipment is required before advance pay for PCS moves in the same geographic area is paid.

An advance is not intended to provide funds for such items as investments, vacations, or the purchase of consumer goods that are not the result of direct expenses resulting from the Service Member's PCS orders. Except under extraordinary conditions, an advance pay must be repaid before an advance for a subsequent PCS may be paid.

Air Force members are authorized a PCS advance of up to 3 months of base pay minus normal deductions.  Commander's approval is required for advance pay in excess of one month, and for repayment requests exceeding 12 months.

Note:  E4/SrA and below must have a Commander's approval for all PCS advance pay payments.