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 580-574-4668

Advance Pay

Only request advance pay if you truly need it for moving expenses. Once you receive your official orders, you can apply for an advance. Soldiers in pay grades E-1 through E-3 can request up to one month of basic pay, while E-4s and above can request up to three months. Keep in mind that if you request more than one month's pay, your unit commander must approve it and you must provide a written, itemized list of your moving expenses to justify why you need the extra amount.

Basic Allowance for Housing

Before you sign an off-post lease, make sure you check your current basic allowance for housing rate using the official calculator.

The basic allowance for housing is designed to provide fair housing compensation based on typical rental costs near your duty station. Your specific monthly rate is determined by three factors: your duty location, your rank and dependency status.

Keep in mind that BAH is not guaranteed to cover all of your housing expenses. Depending on the home you choose, your allowance may not fully pay for your rent, utilities and renter’s insurance. You are personally responsible for paying any costs that exceed your monthly BAH rate.

Advance Station Housing Allowance

The advance station housing allowance helps cover your initial off-post housing costs including the first month’s rent, security deposit and utility deposits. To apply, submit a personnel action request on a user defined list through your chain of command, ensuring you attach a copy of your lease or "Letter of Intent to Rent" to verify your expenses. If you are a new arrival, submit the PAR through the In/Out Processing Section after your incoming commander approves it. Once approved, your request routes directly to the local Army Military Pay Office for payment. For assistance, contact your local AMPO.

Customer Service Information

The Army Military Pay Office will no longer accept pay inquiries via walk-in or over the counter. Unless the soldier has a valid reason like one of the five listed below, the soldier must submit a CRM ticket. The AMPO CRM routing is APCOK. All pay related documents are submitted via UDL.

The five reasons a soldier may visit the AMPO:

• Leave and earing statement shows soldier as No-Pay-Due
• Direct deposit for soldier’s pay did not post to their bank account
• Allotment did not reach the intended recipient
• Garnishment payment did not reach the intended recipient
• LES identifies a debt the soldier does not understand or has questions about

If a soldier needs to contact the AMPO, please call the main phone number at 520-706-8929, listen and select the prompts based on your needs:

1. Customer service – Debt management, Reserve/National Guard Pay and five reasons listed above.
2. Processing – Processing documentation for instillation
3. Special Actions/WW - Inmate Pay, AWOL/DFR, Wounded Warrior, Personnel Control Facility soldiers
4. I/O Processing - permanent change of station in and out processing
5. Separation - Instillation separations (retirements, chapters, ETS)
6. Disbursing
7. Chief

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 82.5.

Army Emergency Relief may assist with permanent change of station movements when a service member lacks access to a government travel card or travel advance. It may help with transportation, housing, food and utilities to reduce relocation related financial stress.

Other common categories of assistance during permanent change of station moves include:

• Mortgage, rent or initial deposit (move-in expenses and application fees)
• Temporary lodging
• Pet transportation costs
• Fuel for privately-owned vehicles to drive to/from new duty station and vehicle tolls
• Food
• Vehicle repair costs
• Utilities
• Basic essential furniture for first permanent duty station
• PCS travel (other related costs)
• Child car seats
• Immigration and passport fees for dependents
• Special needs medical equipment
• Spouse relicensing and recertification
• Child care (Army fee assistance required)
• Don't see it here? Just ask!

Army Emergency Relief is a private, non-profit organization established to assist soldiers and their family members in an emergency financial situation. Financial assistance is given in the form of an interest-free loan, grant or combination of the two. All clients must apply online on the AER website. If you are seeking assistance during after duty hours or not located within 50 miles of a military installation, you can submit your financial request using the online portal. The American Red Cross no longer offers AER assistance after hours. For additional questions, please contact a Fort Sill AER representative at 580-574-4668.