Financial Assistance

Perhaps one of the biggest disadvantages to moving is the cost. Even though the military provides reimbursement for some expenses, many individuals/families also have un-reimbursable expenses.

Your Military and Family Readiness Center (or Army Community Service Center) have trained personnel who will sit down and help you develop a budget for your upcoming move. Proper preparation is the best course of action for your pending move. Current information on relocation entitlements, including Dislocation Allowance is provided.

Whenever you have a change in your financial situation (change in spouse employment, pay increase, housing costs or housing allowances, marriage, birth/adoption, receive bonus, etc..), it is recommended you review and revise your budget. If married, this should be done together if at all possible.

$$$Personal Financial Management Program$$$

The Personal Financial Management Program at Goodfellow offers information, education, and personal financial readiness counseling to military members, dependents, civilians, and retirees.  Our Financial Counselors can assist with budgeting, debt management, credit usage, saving & investing, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), home-buying, car-buying, and other financial readiness topics.  First Duty Station (FDS) financial readiness training is conducted for all newly arriving first-term Airmen and Lieutenants within 60 days of arrival.  Additionally, the Personal Financial Management team is available to assist servicemembers with mandated Air Force financial readiness touchpoints.  In collaboration with several base professional development organizations, our financial counselors host frequent financial readiness seminars and workshops. Lastly, the Personal Financial Management team works closely with our base sister services to ensure their unique financial readiness needs are met. For more information please call 324.654.3893 or email: FSC.programs@us.af.mil

Temporary Lodging

Temporary Lodging costs depend on rank and availability. Members in PCS status are usually authorized up to 14 total days Temporary Lodging Allowance for CONUS to CONUS moves (gaining and losing bases combined, not per base), and up to 5 days for CONUS to OCONUS moves.

Allowances

Members with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders may apply for Advance Pay not earlier than 30 days before their estimated departure date and not later than 60 days after arrival at the new Permanent Duty Station.  No more than three months advance pay may be drawn. The advance is normally repaid in equal installments over 12 months, however, those members who can show hardship can extend the repayment period up to 24 months. Advance pay is calculated from base pay, not pay with allowances.  Think twice about obtaining advance pay! Repayments can become a financial hardship as they will be automatically withdrawn from the service member's pay monthly, reducing monthly income, sometimes drastically!  Take home pay will be reduced when it is needed for bills and unforeseen expenses at the new duty station. Consider talking with the Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP) Manager at your Airman and Family Readiness Center prior to drawing advance pay.

If approved by your commander, an advance housing allowance can be drawn. You must prove this money will be used for housing costs. Advance housing allowance is up to three months BAH for a stateside move. The allowance cannot exceed the anticipated housing cost. Advance housing allowance may be repaid over a 12 month period. Remember all advance pay (including advance housing allowance) must be repaid.

Dislocation Allowance is generally payable whenever a member is required to relocate his or her household in conjunction with a PCS move. It is to help offset initial moving-related expenses such as utility deposits, hook-up fees, curtains, rugs, etc. DLA is not payable for members assigned to dorms, who do not relocate their dependents, or for retirement/separation moves. If there are dependents, their travel must be authorized on PCS orders and DLA will be payable upon completion of travel. If the service member has no dependents, DLA may be authorized at the "without dependent" rate if not assigned to permanent government quarters (dormitory) within 60 days after arrival at the new duty station (with approval from gaining commander).

The cost of living in the San Angelo area is generally lower than many metropolitan areas. Most popular conveniences are readily available. However, some services and commodities purchased locally can be more expensive due to less competition. There is no Cost of Living Allowance for this area. Please contact your command Sponsor for more information on living cost in the San Angelo Area.

Please contact your personal insurance company and inform them of your move to Goodfellow as the rates for this area may be lower then where you are coming from.

****** NOTE******

Your Government Charge Card is not a personal credit card! The Government Charge card is to be used for official travel related expenses only. Personal use outside of this boundary is considered fraud. Since this is a charge card, balances are to be paid in full upon receipt of the statement.

Emergency relief agencies for each of the military services include the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, and Navy/Marine Corps Relief. These agencies offer no-interest loans for approved emergency financial needs for food, rent, utilities, transportation, vehicle repair, funeral expenses, medical/dental expenses, and personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen. (Grants are also available under very limited circumstances, such as natural disasters.)  Service members may apply for emergency relief on-line thru their respective service’s emergency relief organization.  The American Red Cross is also available for emergency relief requests occurring after-duty hours, on weekends, and on federal holidays. Other agencies that may offer assistance in an emergency situation include the Salvation Army, local hospital (Shannon), local Police and Fire Departments, and the American Automobile Association (for automobile breakdowns, towing, etc.).