Financial Assistance

This program offers a wide range of services to assist soldiers and their families with their financial affairs. Emphasis is placed on the training portion of the program designed to educate soldiers and spouses in money management, proper use of credit, financial planning for deployment, transition and relocation, insurance, and check writing principles in an attempt to prevent financial difficulties before they arise.

Army Emergency Relief is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942 by the secretary of war and the Army chief of staff. AER's mission is to help soldiers and their dependents. The program is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to helping the Army take care of its own. AER provides commanders a valuable asset in accomplishing their basic command responsibility for the morale and welfare of soldiers. AER funds are made available to soldiers – active and retired – and their dependents when there is a valid need. AER conducts an annual campaign to raise funds for AER assistance programs. The Army Emergency Relief office at Camp Casey is in Building 2451 with Army Community Service. You can call DSN 315-722-1578.

175th Finance/176th Finance

This centralized pay and accounting division provides accounting, vendor pay, foreign national pay and civilian pay customer services. The 175th Financial Management Company coordinates with service components and the per diem travel and transportation allowances committee on the execution of the Cost of Living Allowance and Overseas Housing Allowance/Move-In Housing Allowance surveys. Their website contains detailed information on the Financial Management Center as well as pertinent information regarding your finances while stationed in Korea. The FMC also publishes a weekly column in the Morning Calm newspaper on finance-related topics. Click on press releases on their website to see more.

In processing the 176th Financial Management Company in Korea is quite easy due to the centralized finance in-processing during your Korean 1st Replacement Company In-Processing Program over the first week of arrival in the country. 176th Financial Management Support Unit at Camp Casey is located in Building 2440, Room 207.

The following list details supporting documentation needed for in-processing finance for the listed actions.

• Soldiers’ permanent change of station travel orders: orders/amended orders (5)
• Leave: Department of the Army Form 31 (5)
• Hometown Recruiter Assistance Program: Department of the Army Form 4187/ DA Form 31 (1)
• Basic Allowance for Housing: Department of the Army Form 5960 (zip code)/termination or assignment to government quarters orders
• Basic Allowance for Subsistence: Department of the Army Form 4187
• Family Separation Allowance: Department of Defense Form 1561/orders
• Continental U.S. Cost of Living Allowance: Department of the Army Form 5960 (for the location of primary dependents) and orders
• TRICARE: dental stop/changes dental form 
• Foreign Language Proficiency Pay: pay orders (1)
• Pay Option Change: Department of the Army Form 3685/Standard Form 1199A
• Thrift Savings Plan: TSP election form (TSP-1)
• Federal/state tax: W-4/Department of Defense Form 2058
• Allotments: Department of Defense Form 2558/Standard Form 1199A
• Extension: Department of the Army Form 3342/DA Form 3286-66
• Initial enlistment bonus: Department of the Army Form 4-1 and 4-2/3286-3, orders awarding
• Military OneSource: grad certificate
• Temporary Living Expense orders: original lodging receipts
• Temporary Lodging Allowance statement of non-availability from overseas: HSG office/orders/receipts
• Advance Pay: Department of Defense Form 2560/orders
• Dependent travel: Department of Defense Form 1351-2 (5)
• Dislocation allowance: orders
• Do It Yourself settlement: Department of Defense Form 1351-2 (5) orders (5)

The Financial Management Center is committed to providing the education and guidance necessary to assist all service members assigned to U.S. Forces Korea. Understand your financial benefits prior to your move by stopping by your Army Community Service office to take a relocation readiness or financial readiness class that details benefits and entitlements for PCS moves.

Civilian Employee Financial Matters

When a civilian moves overseas, many of the financial questions and concerns should begin with the local civilian personnel office. Many times, the Civilian Personnel Advisory Council office initiates financial actions relating to relocation benefits, so first, call your employment advisor at CPAC in the Living Quarters Allowance/travel/temporary duty travel division at DSN 315-738-3607/6843/4430.

Financially speaking, Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live. Many people have a mindset of Seoul, and South Korea, from the Korean War and up to the 1988 Olympics when the country was not yet fully industrialized. Then, the cost of living was small. Now, South Korea ranks among the top 25 nations for gross national product and is no longer a newly industrialized country. The cost of living in the "little tiger" of a country is high. Soldiers and civilians are given compensation through Cost of Living Allowances, but it is not uncommon to pay $80 to $120 for a family of four to eat at one of the popular western restaurants in town. Keep in mind, cost of living may change due to the exchange rate and the policy. 

In the Camp Casey area, restaurants and housing are more affordable. However, commute times may vary.

Mass transportation is widely available. If bringing your vehicle, contact your current insurance company for availability of service in South Korea, coverage requirements and costs.

If you are in need of emergency financial assistance while en route to USAG Yongsan-Casey, contact your nearest military installation family center to find a Serviceman's Financial Relief Agency to apply for assistance. The American Red Cross and/or Salvation Army also have programs that service members can call at 877-272-7337. 

While traveling, if you have a medical emergency, you may always stop into any hospital emergency room for medical care. Provide your military identification card and the loosing TRICARE region's medical enrollment card.