Financial Assistance

Did you know that the average military family reports over $500.00 in unreimbursed moving expenses when they PCS? Also, your financial situation will change when you relocate. You may have to significantly change your spending habits. Be prepared! Set up a "spending plan" before changes occur following these steps:

1. Know how much money you will have to spend. Write down income before, after, and during your transfer. There are a variety of special pays and allowances available to service members making a PCS move. Check with your disbursing office to determine your specific entitlements. Take into account current and projected income; VHA level, spouses' income, sea pay, repayment of advanced pay, etc.
2. Know where your money goes. Track current expenses. Project your in-route and future expenses. Plan for temporary lodging, transportation, food and hotel costs in-route. Consider housing expenses, cost of living, auto insurance, daycare costs, etc.
3. Compare current and projected income and expenses. Make adjustments as necessary.
4. Look for ways to increase income, decrease expenses, and decrease indebtedness.
5. Communicate with your creditors. Inform them of your change of address and if necessary inform them of any situation that would prevent you from paying your just financial obligations in a proper and timely manner.
6. Maintain adequate insurance coverage, and build your savings for emergencies.

Helpful Planning Tips

• Pay yourself first.  If you plan to save the money that remains at the end of the month, there won't be any! Pay yourself first by making an allotment to savings.
• Budget for necessities. Understand the difference between "needs" and "wants". Be realistic about what are truly necessities. Budget for essentials, and allow for non-essentials as your spending plan permits.
• Always set aside money for emergencies.  You cannot predict emergency travel, car repairs, etc. However, you can prepare for a financial emergency with adequate savings.
• Base your spending plan on the income you know.  Many people make the mistake of basing their budget on temporary sources of income and find it very difficult to lower their standard of living when the temporary source of income no longer exists.
• Evaluate your financial capabilities. Prior to acceptance of any credit plan or requesting advance pay, evaluate your financial capabilities to preclude an overburdening and ever-increasing debt load.
• People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.  A spending plan will allow you to take control of your finances, instead of having your finances control you!

Financial guidance is offered to those experiencing money management difficulties or for those who wish to be in control of their finances. Fleet & Family Support Center, as well as the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society (when financial assistance is needed), can work with you to prepare a personalized budget plan designed to make your life a little easier. For an appointment, please call our financial contact person at 361-961-5998 at the Fleet & Family Support Center. We are located at the Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi on the 4th Deck.

Financial counseling is provided by our Financial Educators, who provides financial guidance and counseling to personnel experiencing money management difficulties, or for those who wish to be in control of their finances. Appointments are made on a referral basis from the member's Command Financial Specialist.  Information and assistance are also available for one on one counseling, in areas such as military pay and allowances, consumer rip-offs, savings, insurance, car buying, home buying, credit card management, and more.  Call 361-961-5998 for an appointment.

The following Financial Preparedness workshops are offered periodically throughout the Calendar Year: Personal & Family Budgeting, Workshops-Money, Debt & Credit management Workshops, 1st Time Home Buyers Workshops, Strategies for Best Deals in Car Buying, Identity Theft & Predatory Lending Workshops, Savings & Investing/TSP Workshops. To inquire about any of the workshops, call 361-961-5998.

The NAS Corpus Christi Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) is the training site for the Command Financial Specialist Program. Service members, in pay grades E6 and above, are trained to assist members and families of their commands/departments. This program emphasizes personal financial responsibility and accountability by providing basic principles and practices of sound money management, counseling tools and referral services. This training is held periodically throughout the year. Contact your Command Career Counselor for information.

Fleet & Family Support Center -- located on the 4th Deck, H-100, NAS, the FFSC offers a full range of budget and debt counseling. Provides classes on a recurring basis on Budgeting, Car Buying, and other money management topics. You may reach us by calling 361-961-2372, Monday through Friday at 7:30 am until 4 pm.

Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society -- located in Bldg H-100, 4th Deck, we can be reached by calling 361-961-3482. When you visit, bring your ID card, leave papers, LES, and other useful information, such as dental estimates, medical bills, or vehicle repair estimates which might be helpful in evaluating your needs.

Service members with permanent change-of-station orders can receive advance pay and allowances with their commander's approval. These include advances on basic pay and Basic Allowance for Housing. Members can receive up to three months of basic pay at either the old or new duty station. Advance pay and housing allowances are repaid as paycheck deductions, normally beginning the month after the advance is drawn. With permission, repayment can be delayed up to three months.

Finance officials recommend asking for a minimum amount when requesting an advance for an overseas move. There is the potential for heavy losses due to exchange rate fluctuations, and the member is not compensated in the case of an advance.

Retiring and separating service members are not eligible for advance pay.

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is located in a moderate cost of living area. Although the military provides reimbursement for some expenses, many individuals/ families also have expenses that are non-reimbursable. It is recommended that you review and revise your budget for your pending move. Consider all possible options, and ensure there is enough money for first and last month's rent, move-in costs, travel expenses and monthly utilities. Monthly utility costs vary by location and size of the residence. Because of the majority months are hot to warm, electricity is the highest utility bill you will pay. Also, be aware that some landlords may not accept personal check on out-of-state accounts.  Your automobile insurance rates may increase therefore contact your current automobile insurance company for information on Texas rates and insurance coverage requirements.