Financial Assistance

Personal Financial Management Program

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

• Assist Navy and Marines personnel in establishing and maintaining sound money management practices.
• Empower service members and their families, reservists, retirees and DoD civilians 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 FFSC provides individual financial counseling sessions to all service members and their families, reservists, retirees and DoD civilians. To assist you and your family in being financially prepared, the FFSC offers workshops on topics that include basic money management, saving and investing, home buying, credit management, car buying, consumer awareness, the thrift savings plan and much more.

Protect your financial health; it is important to you and your career. Need help with your Finances? Here’s how to seek help:

• Talk to your command financial specialist. They have tools to help and will respect your privacy.
• Visit one of six FFSCs in Hampton Roads for valuable and confidential advice and assistance.
• Contact the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s Shipmates Helping Shipmates if you’re in financial trouble.
• Banks and credit unions are tasked to help you; let them work for you.

Watch your money carefully while in transit as 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 outside the continental United States, temporary lodging expenses in the continental United States, mileage allowance in lieu of transportation, advance pay and, most importantly, dislocation allowance.

Temporary lodging allowance for OCONUS: Overseas moves allow members to draw TLA based on the local rate for a maximum of 60 days after arrival overseas and 10 days prior to departure. The allowance is 100% for a service member or one dependent (total one person),  65% for service member couples (total two persons - percentage each when lodging together), 35% for each additional dependent age 12 and older, and 25% for each additional dependent under age 12. Check into availability prior to sending the whole family, as it is sometimes cheaper to have family members remain in the United States until quarters are available.

TLE for CONUS: CONUS moves qualify you for up to $290 per day for a maximum of 10 days to cover lodging and meals in temporary quarters at your present duty station and at your destination. Entitlement can be split between the two locations. Computation is based on rank, number of dependents, lodging amount and whether you have cooking facilities or not. Overseas moves qualify you for only five days of TLE stateside, once overseas entitlement changes to TLA. Entitlement is not authorized for separations, retirements or when government housing is available.

Don’t forget: When taking advance pay, repayment starts immediately, reducing your monthly income, in some cases, drastically. Also, don't forget about 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 $77 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 located on or near bases at Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Air Station Oceana-Dam Neck Annex, Navy Gateway Inns and Suites Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

Hampton Roads, Virginia, consists of the Southside and the Peninsula. The area is home to more than 20% of the entire United States Navy. Other services also call Hampton Roads home, including the United State Marine Corps Camp Allen, Langley Air Force Base, Fort Eustis and NASA. The culturally diverse region is consistently growing and offers something for everyone.

Housing

Hampton Roads has many options for your housing needs. There are a lot of parts to the "where to live" decision. Do you have kids and want to check out the schools? Do you want to live near the water or be near your job? Do you want an apartment or house? Do you want to rent or own?

Homes for sale are plentiful in Hampton Roads and prices vary, depending on your needs. Apartments, townhouses, duplexes and condos for rent are also plentiful. Rents vary greatly, depending on what you're looking for. Average apartment rentals can range from $700 for one bedroom to $1,800 for three bedrooms, depending on the location.

Some places allow pets, but keep in mind that most rentals require a pet deposit. Understanding what is covered, or more importantly, what is not covered under your pet deposit agreement will smooth the way in receiving a full refund on your apartment deposit once you vacate the premises. Inquire about a military clause before signing a rental agreement. Standard leases in Virginia are for one year, but shorter terms are available. Generally, the cost of living in Hampton Roads is high, but housing costs may be lower on the Peninsula and in North Carolina.

The Basic Allowance for Housing for Hampton Roads and the Peninsula currently ranges from $1,290-$2,424. Need a second opinion? Before you sign on the dotted line, have the Navy Legal Services Office look over your contract.

Utilities

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 their members on utility deposits. Ask about military waivers and policies when shopping for service. Prices vary, depending on your needs.

When setting up new accounts for utilities, ask about budget billing as a way to manage your bills to 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

Virginia law requires the following minimum insurance coverage for all registered vehicles.

• Bodily injury or death of one person -- $25,000
• Bodily injury or death of two or more persons -- $50,000
• Property damage -- $25,000

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’s and the spouse's names or the spouse's name only, there will be a property tax assessment. The current tax rate is $4.57 per $100 of assessed value of the vehicle, annually. This can be quite an expense, especially on a new or late model car.

Note: The titled owner of the vehicle must be an active-duty nonresident to qualify for an exemption of the annual personal property tax.  

Things to keep in mind when transferring

Resources to assist you with travel emergencies:

• American Red Cross (regional emergency center) -- 877-272-7337
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (emergency after hours) -- 444-NAVY (6289)
• Military OneSource -- 800-342-9647
• For a local information operator in Virginia, dial 211 
• Base operator for Hampton Roads Installations -- 757-444-0000
• Navy Inn (worldwide reservations) -- 800-628-9466
• Contact your new command for advice, if needed

TRICARE Prime and transferring

If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime and there is a medical emergency such as a case of a threat to life, limb or eyesight, go to the nearest hospital and remember to call your TRICARE Prime office within 24 hours after the emergency for authorization to avoid costly co-pays. For other medical care, call your TRICARE Prime office before seeking medical assistance, again to avoid costly co-pays. TRICARE will be able to assist you in locating a provider in the area. Virginia is located in the TRICARE North Region.

• TRICARE North (HealthNet) -- 877-874-2273 
• TRICARE South (Humana) -- 800-444-5445
• TRICARE West (TriWest) -- 888-866-9378
• TRICARE Overseas (TRICARE) -- 888-777-8343