Financial Assistance

Army Community Service (ACS) offers financial assistance through Army Emergency Relief (AER). AER provides emergency financial assistance to active-duty service members and their dependents, Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves service members on active duty for more than 30 days and their dependents, retirees and dependents, and surviving spouses and orphans of service members who died while on active duty or after they retired.

Assistance is provided in the form of interest-free loans, grants or a combination of both. AER can usually help with emergency needs for rent, utilities (excluding phone and cable), food, emergency travel, emergency privately owned vehicle repairs, funeral expenses of a parent, spouse or child, and emergency medical or dental expenses.

Professional assistance is available to military families in the form of budget counseling and debt consolidation. Financial management classes are available to service members and family members. The Army, Marines and Air Force schedule Personal Financial Management classes for initial entry trainees during the first weeks they are here. This is a mandatory class. Classes offered include Financial Management Readiness Training, banking and credit union services, budget development, recordkeeping, debt liquidation, credit use and credit cards, consumer rights and obligations, insurance basics, smooth financial moves and credit reports. Call 831-242-6890 to speak with financial counselor at ACS.

Advance Basic Pay is an interest-free loan for permanent change of station moves. Your military savings is used as collateral. The service member may draw up to three months’ basic pay in advance, which is repaid by payroll deductions. See your local S-1 or HR Officer /  DFAS Office on POM to get help with your pay

The advance must be paid back within 12 months, beginning the first month after the allowance is drawn. Repayment can create an additional financial burden at a time when finances are already stressed.

The use of advance pay is discouraged unless circumstances require it. Attend Relocation Services classes on entitlements for PCS moves. Check with your chain of Command on when the next Out Processing briefings are to be held. Go to Army Emergency Relief for interest-free loans and speak with a financial adviser at Army Community Service. 

The cost of living on the Monterey Peninsula is extremely high, and the cost for many goods and services are equally high. Service members stationed at the Presidio of Monterey do not receive a cost of living allowance. Affordable off-post housing is limited. Rental properties on the Monterey Peninsula area cost $1,550 - $3,500 for an unfurnished one- or two-bedroom apartment, and $2,500 - $4,800 or more for a house. Most landlords do not accept pets, and those who do normally charge $200-$300 per pet in additional deposits, plus a monthly charge. Generally, expect to pay the first and last month’s rent up front, or a deposit plus the rent.

The Housing Services Office is your contact for any problems you may encounter, such as discrimination complaints, tenant-landlord disputes or any questions or problems about off-post housing. HSO may also provide information regarding the community in which a rental is located. If you will be living off post in a rental property, you should purchase a renter’s or tenant’s insurance policy. Your landlord’s insurance does not protect your belongings, only the building. A typical policy costs about $150 per year, and may be required by your lease agreement.

The HSO is located on Ord Military Community (formerly Fort Ord) at Building 4250, General Jim Boulevard. For more information regarding the services provided by the HSO, all 831-242-7979/5720 or DSN 312-768-7979/5720.

In California, there is a compulsory financial responsibility law on record that requires drivers to carry the proper amount of auto insurance. In addition to collision or comprehensive insurance to cover damage to your vehicle, you must also hold liability insurance to cover damage to others’ property or person. The minimum liability insurance coverage required for private passenger vehicles is $35,000, and is defined by the following levels of coverage: $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person and $5,000 for property damage. You must keep proof of insurance coverage if you plan to own or drive a vehicle. Some vehicles that do not require proof of insurance are government vehicles, trailers and off-highway vehicles.