Financial Assistance

The Fleet and Family Support Center's Personal Financial Management Program goals are to:

• Assist Navy personnel in establishing and maintaining sound money management practices
• Empower service members and their families to better manage financial resources and meet financial goals by developing their skills and increasing their knowledge
• Provide a continuum of training, information and counseling services

The Fleet and Family Support Center provides individual financial counseling sessions to all service members and their families. To assist you and your family in being financially prepared, the FFSC offers workshops on topics including basic money management, investing, home buying, credit card management, car buying, consumer awareness, Thrift Savings Plan and much more.

Protect your financial health. It is important to you and your career. Need help with your finances? How to seek help:

• Talk to your command financial specialist; they have tools to help and will respect your privacy.
• Visit one of nine FFSCs in Hampton Roads for valuable and confidential advice and assistance.
• Navy Marine Corps Relief Society - Shipmates provides support for shipmates in financial trouble.
• Banks and credit unions are tasked to help you. Let them work for you!

Watch your money carefully while in transit; many unexpected expenditures can deplete your resources quickly! To help prepare for the move, stop by your local Personnel Support Detachment and ask about the following entitlements: Per Diem, Temporary Lodging Allowance for outside the continental U.S., Temporary Lodging Expense for CONUS, Mileage in Lieu of Transportation, Advance Pay and most importantly Dislocation Allowance. Remember when taking Advanced Pay, repayment starts immediately reducing your monthly income, in some cases, drastically. Also, don't forget the loss of your spouse's income until you are settled in your new area.

If you will be staying in temporary lodging upon arrival, expect to pay at least $88 per night at local hotels, but take into account prices will vary based on location and season. When asking for rates, be sure to ask for a military discount! There are Navy Lodges at Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Station Oceana-Dam Neck Annex, and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek located near/on bases.

The Hampton Roads region of Virginia (consisting of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norofolk, Portsmouthm Suffolk, Newport News, and Hampton) is home to more than 20% of the United States Navy! The Hampton Roads area is exceedingly diverse. Parts of the region give off a great urban and city vibe, while other parts of the area have that classic suburban feel. The region is consistently growing and offers something for everyone.

Housing

Home sale amd rental prices vary depending on your needs (i.e., number of rooms/square footage, proximity to major business areas, amenities, etc.) Average apartment rentals are often comparable to home mortgages and can range from $1,400 for a one bedroom to $2,200 for a three-bedroom, depending on the location. Don't forget to factor in the the cost of application and processing fees, security deposits (first/last month rent), pet deposits, and utilities, if they are not included).

The military's basic allowance for housing in the Hampton Roads region can be found on the Defense Travel Management Office website.

Inquire about a military clause before signing a rental agreement. Standard leases in Virginia are for one year, but shorter terms may be available.

Need a second opinion? Before you sign on the dotted line, have the Navy Legal Service Office look over your contract.

Utilities

Ask about military waivers and policies when shopping for services. Utility companies (telephone, water and gas) require deposits, but these can be waived with a letter of credit from your current utility company. Credit unions have programs for members featuring utility deposits.

Ask about budget billing when setting up new accounts for utilities as a way to manage your bills and avoid seasonal fluctuations. The monthly budget bill amount is based on an average of the usage at your address and is assessed every six months.

Car Insurance

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Virginia is increasing its minimum liability limits. The limits, or the minimum dollar amount covered by car insurance, will increase from $30,000 to $50,000 for injury or death of one person, from $60,000 to $100,000 for injury or death of two or more people and from $20,000 to $25,000 for property damage.

Note: Lesser amounts of insurance are acceptable if they meet the minimum requirements for the state the vehicle is registered in.

Vehicle Registration

Vehicles of armed forces personnel must be registered in their own names or in the name of their legal dependents. If the vehicle is titled in both the service member and spouse's names, or spouse's name only, there will be a property tax assessment. Taxes are approximately 3% of the assessed value of the vehicle annually. This can be quite an expense, especially on a new or late model car.

EXEMPTION OF ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX: To qualify for an exemption, the titled owner of the vehicle must be an active duty nonresident.