Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland, Randolph, Sam Houston)  Military and Family Support Center

Financial guidance is offered to those experiencing money management difficulties or for those who wish to be in better control of their finances. The Military & Family Readiness Center's Personal Financial Management Program can work with you to prepare a personalized budget and spending plan to make your life a little easier. Information and assistance are available in areas, such as military pay and allowances, consumer rip-offs, savings, insurance, car buying, home buying, identity theft, credit card management and much more. 

• Ft Sam 210-221-2705
• Lackland 210-671-3722
• Randolph 210-652-5321

Whenever you experience a permanent change of station, you are going to be faced with some unusual expenses. Plan for some of the costs listed below and many more:

• Travel costs: tickets, gasoline, food and lodging, tolls, vehicle tune-up, new tires before the trip, emergency repairs along the way
• Deposits: damage and rent deposits on the new apartment, utilities, telephone and cable
• Closing costs if buying or selling a house
• Temporary lodging at the old post and at the new one
• Food: restocking the refrigerator and food pantry
• Household incidentals: light bulbs, toilet paper, soaps, cleaning supplies and equipment
• Curtains

Local Cost of Living

According to the San Antonio Business Journal, San Antonio is ranked the seventh most affordable in a study by Biz-Journals that compared housing costs and income levels in the 95 U.S. metros with a population above 500,000. Forbes.com cited Alamo City as an area whose housing prices did not overheat during the housing boom and, as a result, the market is experiencing growth. It is no wonder the current cost of an existing single-family home in Alamo Heights area is about $599,000. The San Antonio Board of Realtors also indicated that price appreciation continues to show a steady increase in the value of homes in the area. The average cost of a home throughout San Antonio is $257,196.

Minimum Car Insurance

Texas law requires minimum coverage of $30,000 per injured person, up to a total of $60,000 for everyone hurt in an accident and $25,000 for property damage. This basic coverage is called 30/60/25 coverage. However, basic coverage may not be enough if you are held liable for an accident. You should consider buying more than the basic coverage.

Advance Pay

When you PCS, you can request up to 80% of your entitlements in advance to help you pay for lodging, gasoline, food, rent deposits, utilities and more.

NOTE: Do not take or spend advance pay unless it is absolutely necessary, as you pay it back by monthly deductions from your pay. You will have less money to live on each month until it is all paid back. Be even more cautious of considering a casual pay.

Other Financial Impacts

There may be other financial impacts of a PCS move. Here are some examples:

• Do we depend on the money my spouse gets from his or her job? How long will it be before he or she can get a new job? Will it pay well? We may have to live on less money for a couple of months or more.
• A higher cost of living. This includes not only increased housing and food costs but also things like having to drive farther to work, child care costs and school costs.
• Lower basic allowance for housing. The Fort Sam Houston financial program offers planning assistance and consumer affairs services to soldiers, Department of Defense civilians and family members.
• The services include training in basic financial skills, information on consumer goods and services, budgeting and debt liquidation workshops, and classes on the use and abuse of credit. You will also find debt liquidation services, checkbook management counseling and financial planning assistance.

If you anticipate being short of cash for your move, contact your local finance office to discuss the possibility of various travel advances. You may be able to request advance travel pay, advance basic housing allowance or advance dislocation allowance. These advances will be offset when you receive your travel reimbursement.

As a last resort, you are also eligible to request advance basic pay. If possible, avoid taking an advance as it will be automatically withheld from your paycheck for a period of up to 12 months.

The Air Force Aid Society and the Army Emergency Relief provides small, no-interest loans to assist with miscellaneous financial problems caused by a permanent change of station move.

The cost-of-living index for San Antonio, Texas, for livability is 78%, which is lower than the national average of 100%. Therefore, there are no cost-of-living allowances for the area.

Temporary Lodging Allowance

On base, temporary lodging facilities are typically available. Stays are usually limited to 30 days during non-peak periods and 15 days during peak periods. Regardless of the length of your stay, you will be reimbursed for the first 10 days only. If there is no vacancy on base, you will need a statement of non-availability from temporary lodging before you can be reimbursed for off-base lodging. If authorized to stay off base, you will be reimbursed at the per diem rate for the San Antonio area.

Housing Costs

Housing costs are slightly lower than the national average. The median housing cost in an acceptable neighborhood in Alamo Heights is $257,196, while two-bedroom apartments average $900.

The current basic allowance for housing rate for Lackland Air Force Base (ZIP code 78236), Randolph Air Force Base (ZIP code 78150) and Fort Sam Houston (ZIP code 78234) can be found at the Department of Defense's travel website.

Utilities

Utility bills in San Antonio are among the lowest in the state. The city’s Public Services provides electricity and natural gas for the area and is owned by the city. There is no competition in the area. The average residential electricity usage is 1,184 kilowatt hours for $84.39 per thousand KWh. Natural gas is priced in units of 100 cubic feet. The rate per ccf fluctuates between 80-90 cents.

There are two primary water companies: San Antonio Water System and Bexar Metropolitan Water System. Before you choose a place to live, ask which one provides service for your area. Water pricing is based on usage. The more water you use, the higher the rate per unit becomes. There are also different rates depending on whether you live inside or outside the city limits. Sewer usage fees are based on water usage for three months starting sometime in November and ending in March. If you use more water than necessary during those months, you will pay a higher sewage fee for the next 12 months. Contact the base housing office to obtain utility deposit waivers.

As the official charity of the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Aid Society has been meeting the unique needs of airmen and their families since 1942. The organization works to support and enhance the USAF mission by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support and community programs.

Financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans or grants, may be available through AFAS for those experiencing temporary financial hardships.

For more information, contact your servicing Joint Base San Antonio Military and Family Readiness Center and ask for AFAS.

• JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 3060 Stanley Road, Building 2797, phone 210-221-2705/2418
• JBSA-Lackland Air Force Base, 1550 Wurtsmith St room 212., Building 5725 phone 210-671-3722
• JBSA-Randolph Air Force Base, 555 F St. West, Building 693, phone 210-652-5321