Financial Assistance

Your first stop for discussing financial issues should be with your financial counselor at the Monterey Fleet and Family Support Center at 831-656-3060/3528 ask for Angelica Felix-Sagastume as she can assist with information and referral. Emergency assistance and budgeting. You can also reach out to  the  Army Community Center at 831-242-5501.

Moving requires special budgeting and planning. If you are not near a military installation, use the Military OneSource website to find information on military budget planning for moving. 

The FFSC offers financial preparedness workshops on:

• Military pay issues
• Banking and financial services
• Credit management
• Retirement planning
• Consumer awareness
• Blended retirement and Thrift Savings Plan 

Service members with permanent-change-of-station orders can receive Advance Pay and other allowances with their commander's approval. Dislocation Allowance includes advances on basic pay, Basic Allowance for Housing, and DLA for expenses incurred in the move. Members can receive up to three months of basic pay at either the old or new duty station. DLA is free money and does not have to be paid back, but it must be approved by command.

Finance officials recommend asking for a minimum amount when requesting an advance. Advance Pay repayments will be automatically withdrawn from the service member's monthly pay, reducing monthly income, in some cases, drastically. It is good to know your benefits before you PCS and your financial situation.

The cost of off-installation/temporary housing is high because Monterey is a resort/high cost-of-living area. NSA Monterey does not receive a continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance. The average cost for a three-bedroom, two-bath home rental is is around $3400.00 and above and $900,000 to purchase the same home. The average utility cost for gas/electric is $200 per month. If you live in government housing, the price for gas/electric will be anything beyond the covered usage you are required to pay.

The minimum amount your auto insurance must cover is $15,000 for a single death or injury, $30,000 for death or injury to more than one person and $5,000 for property damage caused by one accident. You can get more information on the Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Temporary lodging is available at the Presidio of Monterey at the IHG hotels and at the Naval Postgraduate School. Reservations must be made in advance. For POM reservations and information, call the lodging office at 831-645-1199 or DSN 312-768-1199. POM only has two pet-friendly units and these incur an additional fee. Contact POM for details.

For NPS lodging, call 831-372-6133 or 800-628-9466. They have four pet-friendly rooms. There is an additional charge for pets. Call for further information or to make reservations.

The Navy Gateway Inn & Suites, former bachelor officer quarters, has rooms available for personnel on permanent change of station orders to NSA Monterey. Those not on orders may call regarding space-available reservations. They have a strict no-pet policy. The number for reservations and further information is 831-656-2060.

Military INSTALLATIONS Booklet for POM (Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center) page five of six.

Off-Post Availability

NSA Monterey and the surrounding area is a very popular tourist attraction year-round. While there are multiple motels, hotels and other accommodations in the area, it is possible for there to be no vacancies. Most of the accommodations are very expensive. Always make reservations and be sure to check the prices. Even chains that are very reasonable in other sections of the country will have high prices here.

If, for any reason, you should need emergency assistance while in transit, there are several contacts you can make:

• If you are near a Navy installation, call the Navy Fleet and Family Support Center to obtain referrals to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief.
• If you are not near a Navy installation, you may call any military installation near you—Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. All are willing to provide assistance. Look in the phone book under United States.
• Call the local branch of the American Red Cross. They will provide assistance or make a referral. 1 (800) 733-2767
• Join an auto club prior to your move.
• Contact the nearest Salvation Army.
• You can also call 211. This is a national free number for assistance.
• Call the NSA Monterey FFSC at 832-656-3060, and they can help find you the resources you need..