Financial Assistance

Lower your financial toxicity, strategize for life in retirement and benefit now with a personal financial plan. The M&FRC has Certified Personal Financial Counselors on staff and Community Readiness Consultants ready to assist with Blended Retirement, Thrift Savings Plan, budget planning, saving and investment strategies, vehicle or home buying. The GFAFB Airman and Family Readiness Center offers a full range of educational, training, counseling, and information on financial issues. Financial computer programs are available to help set up a spending plan, determine a debt repayment schedule, and identify financial need. Call 701-747-3241 to set up an appointment.

Prior to leaving your current assignment, be sure to contact your creditors to ensure they have a new mailing address and the billing cycle can be maintained. It is important that you make arrangements so that a surprise does not await you at your next base.

Contact the Grand Forks AFB Military and Family Readiness Center for information on personal financial management counseling as well as other financial matters that may be affected by your move. Plan for the unexpected while traveling. Is your automobile AAA membership paid up? Is your vehicle ready? Costs can double if you break down on the interstate and are forced to use a service station for repairs. Make sure to budget for these expenses which may occur.

Advance Pay

An advance in pay is a LOAN! Contact your Finance Office or civilian pay office for entitlement and other questions. The Grand Forks AFB Finance Office can be reached at 701-747-6302/6364. Their emergency phone number is 701-739-4997/4827.

The cost of living in Grand Forks is below the national average, so Grand Forks is less expensive than the average city in the US. The average home price $289,00 according to Realtor.com which is below the national average home price ($425,000). Rental averages for a one-bedroom apartment is $1033 and two-bedroom apartments average $1071.  For information regarding advance pay, please contact the Grand Forks Air Force Base Accounting and Finance Office at 701-747-6302/6364.

Car Insurance Requirements

North Dakota state law requires all motor vehicles registered and operated in the state carry certain minimum insurance coverage. The coverage and minimum limits mandated by law are as follows:

• Bodily Injury Liability -- $25,000 per person (the maximum amount payable to one person) and $50,000 per accident (the maximum amount payable to all people injured in one accident). Bodily injury liability provides coverage for claims brought against you for bodily injury caused to another person through the operation of your vehicle.
• Property Damage Liability -- $25,000 per accident. Property damage liability provides coverage for claims brought against you for damage caused to someone else's property through the operation of your vehicle.  Also covers damage to a car you rent for personal use on a short-term basis.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage -- $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. Uninsured motorist provides you coverage for a bodily injury claim you would have against another driver who does not have insurance. This coverage does not pay for physical damage to your vehicle.
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage -- Underinsured motorist coverage must be equal to the uninsured motorist coverage. Underinsured motorist provides you coverage for a bodily injury claim you would have against another drive whose liability coverage is less than your underinsured coverage.
• Basic No-Fault -- $30,000 per person. Basic no-fault provides you coverage for economic loss (such as medical expenses and work loss) as a result of an accidental injury without regard to fault. Basic no-fault is also known as personal injury protection or PIP.

Driving without liability insurance is a class B misdemeanor and is punishable by a mandatory fine of at least $150. Additionally, if you drive without insurance, you will be required to file an SR-22 with the state.

The government travel card (GTC), as with all credit cards, must be paid in a timely manner. This requires submission of the travel voucher as soon as possible. Any charges placed on the card not paid directly by Defense Finance Accounting Service to the card company must be paid by the card holder no later than the specified date listed on the monthly statement. Late fees will be assessed if payment is not made in a timely manner. These late fees are the responsibility of the card holder and not the government. A failure to pay your bill when due may lead to disciplinary action being taken against the card holder.

Use your government travel card only for authorized expenses and make sure you stay within your daily allowances. Save all receipts, especially if your expenses exceed your authorizations since they may be tax-deductible items.

The bottom line is to use the government travel card only for official purposes and make payments in a timely manner.