MCLB Barstow  Military and Family Support Center

The Financial Management Counselor holds classes in McTureous Hall, Bldg 218 through Marine & Family Programs. There are workshops available on various aspects of money management as well as one-on-one appointments which can be scheduled.  Customers have the option of requesting a “face-to-face” office visit noted in the sessions or may schedule over the phone.  Appointments can be made by calling the Camp Pendleton Personal Finance Management Program at (760) 829-0105 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday - Friday.

The purpose of advanced pay is to help the service member meet extraordinary expenses incident to relocation during a PCS move. Advance pay may be drawn up to 60 days prior to your move. Up to three months of advance pay can be drawn with PCS orders and the approval of the Commanding Officer.  If you request advance pay you are basically taking a loan from your future paychecks. Advanced pay repayments will be automatically withdrawn from the service member’s pay monthly, which can reduce his/her monthly income, in some cases, drastically. Unless you are in a very unique situation and have generated a financial plan to accommodate the repayment, this is not a good idea.

Barstow's cost of living is 7.32% lower than the U.S. average.  Barstow public schools spend $5,461 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 21 students per teacher in Barstow.

The unemployment rate in Barstow is 11.90 percent (U.S. Avg. is 8.50%). Recent job growth is Negative. Barstow jobs have decreased by 6.00 percent.

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow has a 26.51% cost of living allowance.

The American Red Cross is available for emergencies and their telephone number is usually listed in the telephone directory. You can call their emergency assistance number at 1-877-272-7337.

In Barstow, the American Red Cross is located in Victorville, CA.  They can be reached at 760-245-6511.  If you need to reach your family in times of emergency, call the ARC at 1-877-272-7337.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society over MCLB Barstow is located at Camp Pendleton.  It is a private non-profit charitable organization providing financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society works with Air Force Aid Society and Army Emergency Relief. These agencies can provide interest-free loans or grants to help with emergency needs such as:

• Emergency Transportation
• Funeral Expenses
• Medical/dental Bills (patient's share)
• Food, Rent, and Utilities
• Disaster Relief Assistance
• Child Care Expenses
• Essential Vehicle Repairs
• Unforeseen Family Emergencies 

Quick Assist Loans of up to $300 are designed to help with emergency needs for basic living expenses such as housing, utilities, food and clothing; medical or dental expenses; vehicle or transportation expenses, or to assist during family emergencies. Like the Society’s other loans, QALs are interest-free.

Any active duty Sailor or Marine who has no outstanding loans from the Society and who is in good standing qualifies. Their goal is to serve their clients in as little as 15 minutes. To help them in that process, please have your most recent Leave and Earnings Statement and your active duty ID card ready. You can speed up the short process by filling out the single-page application available online.

QALs are for financial needs of $300 or less. If the need is for more than $300, you should make an appointment with the NMCRS Office for the Society's standard assistance.

When volunteers are available, MCLB Barstow hosts a NMCRS Thrift Store to assist families by providing affordable, gently-used clothing, toys, and other merchandise.  Call (760) 577-5870 for location and hours of operation.  Free childcare is offered to thrift store volunteers.

Liability insurance compensates a person other than the policy holder for personal injury or property damage (comprehensive or collision insurance does not meet vehicle financial responsibility requirements). Check your policy or talk to your agent or broker to make sure you have sufficient liability insurance coverage for each vehicle you own.  State law requires a minimum level of coverage, however one may meet with a Personal Financial counselor to discuss the level of coverage that is appropriate for their circumstances.

• $15,000 for injury/death to one person
• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
• $5,000 for damage to property. 

• TLA rate up to $180 per day
• CONUS – maximum of 10 days
• Transfer OCONUS – maximum of 5 days
• “Reimbursement only” benefit
• KEEP RECEIPTS

Costs for the Oasis Temporary Lodging Facility here at MCLB Barstow range above $60.00 per night. For more information on the TLF call 760-577-6418. Off-base hotels average about $85.00. 

Planning for Emergencies

If you happen to experience an emergency while you are in route to a new duty station, contact your new unit.  If you are near a military installation you can contact the Information and Referral area of that installation for guidance and referrals. In MCLB Barstow, Information and Referral is located at Marine & Family Services, building 126 and can be reached at 760-577-6675.