Fort Campbell  Military and Family Support Center

If you are having trouble managing your finances, the ACS Financial Readiness Program can assist you. For ALL Services, please call (270) 798-5518. Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Tuesdays 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The office is closed on weekends and Federal holidays. 

There are 3 components to the Financial Readiness Program:

• Financial Counseling and Classes
• Army Emergency Relief (AER)
• Consumer Affairs Office (CAO)

Financial Counseling- Whether you are just starting your career, or are close to retirement, ACS Financial Readiness Accredited Financial Counselors are here to set you up for financial success. From setting up a spending plan and managing debt to smart investing and retirement planning, we can help you take charge of your hard-earned money. Please call 270-798-5518 for an appointment.

Financial Classes – monthly and/or upon request. Follow Fort Campbell ACS on Facebook for class schedule.  Topics include but are not limited to:

• Money Management
• Managing Credit and Debt
• Buying and Maintaining a Car
• Savings/Investments
• How To Buy A House
• Retirement Planning
• Thrift Savings Plan
• Consumer Education

Army Emergency Relief (AER) – Army's own non-profit organization.

If you need financial assistance due to no fault of your own, contact Army Emergency Relief (AER) at 270-798-5518. AER is located in the main ACS Building at 1501 William C. Lee Road (near Gate 1). For after-hours emergency financial assistance, please contact the American Red Cross (ARC) Hero Care Center at 1-877-272-7337 to speak with a Red Cross Emergency Community Specialist.

Eligibility: Soldiers on active duty and their eligible dependents, Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers activated on Title 10 orders for more than 30 days and their eligible dependents, Soldiers retired for longevity, medical, or upon reaching age 60 (reserve component) and their eligible dependents, Surviving Spouses who have not remarried and children of Soldiers who died on active duty or died after reaching retirement eligibility.

Categories of assistance: emergency travel, natural disaster (preparation and evacuation), mortgage, rent, initial deposit, temporary lodging, food, healthcare (not covered by insurance), vehicle costs, utilities, funeral expenses for immediate dependents, basic essential furniture, appliance costs, PCS travel, and more. .

Consumer Affairs Office (CAO) – Serves as a consumer advocate for Soldiers and their families. It is a one-stop service to save money. We maintain a library of consumer materials and can assist you in making wise decisions with large purchases and contract reviews. Our office will mediate consumer complaints, review contracts prior to signing, assist with price comparison and financing information, discuss warranties and provide the client with negotiating power to make a purchase. Carfax, a report that provides a complete history on used vehicles, is available "free of charge" when purchasing used vehicles.

The Army Community Service (ACS) Financial Readiness Program provides financial management to include a permanent change of station budget, and one-on-one financial counseling for Soldiers and Families making a PCS move.  The ACS Financial Readiness Program is located at the main ACS building, 1501 William C. Lee Road (inside gate 1). Contact the Financial Readiness Program at 270-798-5518 to schedule an appointment. Hours of Operation are Monday, Wednesday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Tuesdays 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Where the Money Might Go When You PCS:

Whenever you PCS, you are going to be faced with some unusual expenses. Be sure to plan ahead! Listed below are several expenses you will incur. You may have additional expenses besides these:

• Travel costs – tickets, gasoline, food and lodging, tolls, car tune-up, new tires before the trip and emergency repairs along the way
• Deposits – damage and rent deposit on new apartment, utilities, telephone and cable TV
• Closing costs if buying or selling a house
• Temporary lodging at the old post and at the new post
• Food – restocking the refrigerator and the food pantry
• Household incidentals – light bulbs, toilet paper, soaps, cleaning supplies and equipment
• Curtains and rods (and the tools required for installation)

Other Financial Impact:

• Do you depend on the money your spouse gets from his or her job? How long will it be before he or she can get a new job in the new location? Will it pay as well? You may have to live on a lower income for a couple of months or more.
• You may face a higher cost of living. This includes not only higher housing and food costs but also things like having to drive farther to work, childcare costs and school costs.
• You may receive a lower Basic Allowance for Housing at the new post.

Where the Money Might Come From:

• Miscellaneous Income – Consider hosting a garage sale before you move.
• Refunds – You may be due refunds from rent and damage deposits from your old home or apartment. Again, it may take a couple of months to get these.
• Returned Deposits – You may be entitled to deposits, plus interest, from apartments and utilities.
• Cost of Living – You may experience a lower cost of living or increased BAH at the new post.
• PCS Entitlements: Travel Allowances (Per Diem, Mileage), Dislocation Allowance (DLA), Advance on Base Pay (AP), and Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)/Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA), Personally Procured Move (PPM).  Always check with your local PCS Finance Office or visit https://www.dfas.mil/pcstravel.html on the current regulatory PCS Entitlements.
• Incentive Pay - to include, but not limited to Hostile Fire Pay, Hardship Duty Pay, Family Separation Allowance, Assignment Incentive Pay, Save Pay, Demolition Pay, Cost of Living Allowance, and Special Duty Assignment. Contact your Defense Military Pay Office (DMPO)/PCS Finance Office.
• Reimbursement for state licensure and certification costs for the Spouse of a Soldier arising from a permanent change of stations (PCS),  Contact your Defense Military Pay Office (DMPO)/PCS Finance Office.
• *Advance Pay (AP)  – a tool to help the Soldier offset the costs directly related to a PCS move.  This must be requested from PCS Finance Office.

*Caution: Don't take or spend Advance Pay unless it is absolutely essential. You will have to pay it back through monthly deductions from your pay, which will leave you with less money to live on every month until it is paid back in full. Don't take Advance Pay just to buy something you want, like a new  or car. Be even more cautious when considering Casual Pay, or an advance of wages. Plan ahead for your move. Start saving now!