Financial Assistance

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

Personal Financial Management Program

The Personal Financial Management (PFM) Program at NAS Whiting Field offers information, education and personal financial management counseling to individuals, couples and groups. Subject areas include; budget assistance, financial education classes and workshops such as Car Buying, Investment Basics, Home Buying, Credit Management, Insurance, Consumer Awareness, Military Pay, Identity Theft Prevention, Retirement Resources, Debt Liquidation, Thrift Saving Plan Briefings, etc.

Financial education, training and counseling emphasizes long-term financial responsibility through instruction on sound money management, debt management, saving, investing and retirement planning. The program stresses pro-active, long-range education aimed at preventing financial crises through financial education and training. Financial awareness and responsibility through a life-cycle approach is key to the personal readiness of service members and families. This preventative and educational approach to PFM will allow service members to focus on mission needs and will ultimately increase retention and readiness for our armed forces.

For more information on PFM programs, or to schedule an appointment with a Personal Financial Manager, call 850-623-7177 or DSN 868-7177.

The cost of living in Santa Rosa County is considered low, with a median household income of $56,633. As of 2021, Milton's population is 10,498 people. Since 2020, it has had a population growth of 2.4%.

The median home cost in Milton is $265,700. Home appreciation the last year has been 6.6%. The average monthly apartment rental in 2023 is $1,155.

Compared to the rest of the country, Milton's cost of living is 9.0% lower than the U.S. average.

Milton public schools spend $7,237 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $14,347. There are about 22 students per teacher in Milton.

The unemployment rate in Milton is 3.8% in 2022. The U.S. average is 3.7%. Recent job growth is positive. Milton jobs have increased by 4.33%.

Temporary Lodging Expense

TLE is designed to partially offset lodging and meal expenses when a member and/or dependents need to occupy temporary lodging in the continental U.S. in connection with a permanent change of station. The member receives reimbursement (for member and family members) for temporary lodging and meal expenses, up to $290 per day.

If the member is moving from one CONUS base to another, he/she is authorized up to 10 days TLE, either at the losing duty station or at the new duty station (or any combination up to 10 days total).

If the member is moving from CONUS to overseas, they can only receive up to five days TLE at the losing duty station. If the member is moving from overseas to CONUS, they can receive up to 10 days TLE at the new CONUS duty station after arrival.

TLE is not paid for lodging made during the actual travel days from one duty station to another (that's covered by an allowance called Per Diem). Rather, TLE is for temporary lodging in the U.S. at the old duty station before departure or at the new duty station after arrival.

The legal authority for TLE is 37 USC 404a. For more information about TLE, see the TLE FAQs, on the Defense Travel Management Office website.

Utility Costs

Electricity – energy-demand charge is 17¢ per kilowatt hour

Car Insurance Requirements

Automobile insurance is a must in every state in the U.S.; what differs between states is the minimum requirements. Florida has two main insurance laws: the Financial Responsibility Law and the No-Fault Law.

Financial Responsibility Law

All Florida vehicle owners must prove that they have coverage to pay for any injuries or vehicle damage they cause in a vehicle crash. The Financial Responsibility Law covers damage to other people or vehicles, not your own. The law states that you must have the minimum policies in these circumstances:

The Minimum Requirements – If one of the above situations applies to you, you will be required to show proof of the following minimum coverage:

If you don't have the minimum coverage when required, you could lose your license and tags/registration for up to three years. You'll receive a notice in the mail with a date of suspension. If you didn't already have coverage, you can purchase it before the suspension date. Your insurance company should then certify it to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles by filing an SR-22 form. If you wait until after your license is suspended, there will be a $150 reinstatement fee.

No-Fault Law

You're required to have insurance coverage on any motor vehicle that has been in the state for 90 days out of the year. (The 90 days do not have to be consecutive.) You won't be able to register your car or obtain a license plate without proof of insurance from a company licensed in Florida.

As long as you have your insurance, the policy provider will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of all action on your account, including renewals, failures to renew and cancellations either by you or the policy provider.

If your policy is cancelled, you'll be notified by the DMV to provide proof of another policy. If you fail to provide that within the allotted time, your license will be suspended for up to three years or until you show proof of coverage, whichever is first.

The No-Fault Law is for coverage relating to your own vehicle and yourself, if you sustain injuries in an accident. The minimum requirements are:

Failure to Carry No-Fault Insurance – The state is serious about drivers carrying the minimum required amounts for accidents and crashes, and failure to comply can result in big trouble. Besides the three-year suspension, you'll have to pay $150 to reinstate your license at the end of the suspension period. For a second lapse in three years, you'll pay $250 and for a third lapse, you'll pay a whopping $500.

Losing your license for failure to have the proper insurance can have lasting negative effects. You will not be able to apply for a hardship license for work purposes only. Florida does not have a hardship license.

Have more questions about Florida insurance laws? Contact DMV Customer Service at 850-922-9000 or check out the insurance-related FAQs for answers related to your specific situation.