Tinker AFB  Military and Family Support Center

Financial guidance is offered to those experiencing money management difficulties or those who wish to be in better control of their finances. The Tinker Airman and Family Readiness Center's Personal Financial Management Program can work with you to prepare a personalized budget and spending plan to make your life a little easier. Information and assistance is also available in areas such as military pay and allowances, consumer rip-offs, savings, insurance, car buying, home buying, identity theft, credit card management, and much more.

If you anticipate being short of cash for your move, please contact your local Financial Assistance office to discuss the possibility of various travel advances. You may be able to request advance travel pay, advance Basic Allowance for Housing, or advance Dislocation Allowance. These advances will be offset when you receive your travel reimbursement. As a last resort, you are also eligible to request Advance Basic Pay. Avoid this advance if possible because it will be automatically withheld from your paycheck for a period of up to 12 months.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has a cost-of-living indicator of 85 based on the national average of 100. There are no cost-of-living allowances for the area.

Temporary Lodging Allowance

Temporary lodging facilities are available. Stays are normally limited to 14 days, but can be extended if needed. If there is no vacancy on base, you will need a non-availability statement from the TL office before you can be reimbursed for off-base lodging. If you do not get this, you may not be eligible for reimbursement. For information about base lodging expenses, please refer to the Housing - TL section. If you must stay off base, you will be reimbursed at the per-diem lodging rate for the Oklahoma City area.

Housing Costs

In Oklahoma City, housing costs are slightly lower than the national average. The median cost of housing in acceptable neighborhoods is $164,261 while two-bedroom apartments average $826.

Utilities

Utility bills in Oklahoma City are among the lowest in the state. Oklahoma Gas and Electric provides electricity and Oklahoma Natural Gas provides natural gas for the area. Please be aware that deposits are required to set up service with these companies. Utility costs vary greatly from home to home due to various factors including size, insulation, home construction materials, personal comfort levels, hot water usage, weather conditions, lighting tastes, and size of yard and willingness to water.

Financial assistance is available for active-duty, retirees, widows, Guard and Reserve service members and their families through the Air Force Aid Society, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society or Army Emergency Relief for those experiencing temporary financial hardships. For more information, contact the Tinker Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Oklahoma state law requires a minimum bodily injury liability of $25,000 per injured person up to a total of $50,000 per accident and property damage liability coverage with a minimum limit of $25,000. The basic coverage is often referred to as 25/50/25.

The state of Oklahoma follows a tort system meaning someone must be found to be at fault for causing the accident and that person, and their insurance company, is responsible for all damages. You should be aware that aspect of the tort system may vary from state to state.

Have a plan for emergencies while in transit. If you find yourself needing financial assistance, please go to the nearest military facility. If there is no installation nearby, contact the American Red Cross for additional assistance. The national toll free number is in the contact section. Review your route and make a note of the phone numbers for the family centers of any military installations en route and keep the American Red Cross national number with your hand-carried papers.

Ensure you are familiar with the requirements of your TRICARE plan for handling medical emergencies. Doing so properly can reduce or eliminate out-of pocket costs or delays in reimbursement. Know the definitions for emergency care and urgent care. Emergency care is defined as an immediate threat to life, loss of sight, or loss of limbs. Seek treatment at the nearest hospital and notify TRICARE as soon as possible. Urgent care is defined as something that needs attention but is not immediately life threatening. Contact TRICARE for authorization prior to obtaining care.