Financial Assistance

The Financial Readiness section of Army Community Service provides guidance and assistance to those experiencing money management difficulties or for those who wish to be in better control of their finances. Education and counseling are provided for various topics to include:

• Retirement Planning
• Taxes
• Insurance and Estate Planning
• Budgeting for Holidays
• Financing Higher Education
• Kids and Finances
• Consumer Protection and the Military
• Saving and Investing
• Large Purchases

Relocation Financial Planning Class. -- We are now offering a monthly financial planning class to all personnel getting ready to relocate to another installation. For additional information, contact 580-442-4916/0641.

Fort Sill Army Military Pay Office, Welcome Center, Bldg 4700, 580-442-9163

https//sill.www.army.mil/ampo

ADVANCE PAY

Do not request advance pay unless you really need it. You can request advance pay after you receive your orders: up to one month for members in pay grades E1 through E3 and up to three months' basic pay for E4 and higher. If an advance for rental housing is needed, it must be authorized by the unit commander. A rental agreement is needed to verify the housing costs. The advance is usually repaid in 12 monthly installments. Under certain circumstances of hardship, payments can be extended up to 24 months.

BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH)

Before entering into any off-post rental agreement you should know what you’re BAH is/www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm. The intent of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is to provide Service Members equitable housing compensation based on housing costs in local housing markets. BAH is based on duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. Depending on the housing chosen by the military member BAH may not fully cover the costs of housing, utilities, and renters insurance; expenses above and beyond the services member BAH is the responsibility of the service member.

ADVANCE STATION HOUSING ALLOWANCE (ASHA)

ASHA is authorized for Service Members moving into a house or apartment to cover the first month’s Rent/deposit, and required utility deposits. Department of the Army (DA) Form 4187 must be submitted through the Service Member’s chain of command or In-Out Processing Section for Service Member's that are new to the Installation.  A copy of the rental agreement or a Letter of Intent to rent must be attached to verify all associated expenses. After approval by the Commander or In-Out Processing Section, the Service Member is directed to the Defense Military Pay Office (DMPO) to submit DA Form 4187 for processing. If you have any questions contact the local DMPO

Fort Sill-Lawton community is not a high-cost area; however, it's still important to be prepared financially before you arrive. Soldiers assigned to Fort Sill do not receive a cost of living allowance (COLA).

Compared to the rest of the country, Lawton Metro Area's cost of living is 74.7.

Army Emergency Relief (AER)  is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to "Helping the Army Take Care of its Own." AER provides interest free loans, grants or a combination of both to Soldiers and Families that are facing a financial hardship.

Assistance includes: initial rent and deposit, payment of rent to prevent eviction, house and trailer payments, emergency shelter, food, utilities (one time assistance for cable), essential repairs on one POV, medical/dental expenses when medically required down payment cannot be deferred through usual payment plans, cranial helmets, car seats, essential furniture, repair/replacement of basic appliances, minor home repairs, funeral expenses, required travel expenses due to emergency leave, emergency travel, convalescent leave, extraordinary costs in meeting port call or PCS, clothing, fire or other disaster after Red Cross assistance, and other privation prevention. Food vouchers are also available if referred by Soldier chain of command. If you are unsure whether your specific need qualifies for AER assistance, please contact AER for determination. AER is located Building 4700 suite 100 in Army Community Service. If assistance is needed contact AER at 580-442-4916/0641 between 0800-1500 Monday thru Friday. If you have an emergency on weekends, holidays or after hours contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337.