Financial Assistance

The cost of living in the off-base community can be very expensive. Japan is relatively a high-cost area. Rent can range from $1,000 per month for a two-bedroom apartment to $3,300 per month for a three bedroom apartment/house. Electricity costs on average $75 per month with gas and water approximately $85 a month. Although most fees should fall within the service member’s or Department of Defense civilian's Basic Housing Allowance, please be aware of all other hidden fees (cable/internet/telephone/heating) that come from living off base.

Additionally, while privately-owned vehicle liability insurance is relatively inexpensive, the Japanese government mandates Japanese Compulsory Insurance (average cost every two years is between $400 and $1,000) and an annual road tax ($50 to $270 depending on size of POV).

Yokota Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC)

The Personal Financial Readiness (PFR) Program emphasizes personal financial responsibility and accountability by providing basic principles and practices of money management, counseling tools, investing, and referral services. The PFR manager is an accredited financial counselor, specialized to assist DOD members and their families and is available for individual appointments.

Financial guidance is offered to those experiencing money management difficulties or for those who wish to improve their finances. The M&FRC's PFR program manager assists with creating a personalized budget and spending plan, saving and investing, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) maximization, car buying planning, consumer protection, credit card management, home buying preparation and much more.

Air Force Aid Society

The AFAS is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force. Its charter is to help relieve the distress of Air Force members and their families by providing emergency financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans and/or grants. Financial assistance is provided when a qualifying member cannot pay for specific essential basis needs.

The purpose for which financial assistance may be provided are intentionally broad and include the following:

• Emergency expenses such as unforeseen required travel and related expenses, funeral expenses, loss of funds, inability to pay for return ticket home, fire or other disasters.
• Medical and dental care such as TRICARE deductibles, services not covered by TRICARE/Delta Dental or when treatment is not available at a uniformed service medical facility.
• Essential transportation to include repairs which make the vehicle safe to operate and required vehicle insurance premiums.
• Basic maintenance for the short-term inability to pay the cost of everyday living to include rent/mortgage, utilities, essential clothing and food.
• Educational assistance including the Spouse Tuition Assistance Program for undergraduate or graduate students on all overseas bases. The General Henry H. Arnold $1,500 educational grant program for dependent children of active-duty, retired or deceased Air Force members and spouses of active-duty members assigned to bases in the continental U.S.
• Child care for personnel who volunteer on base and temporary child care when an emergency situation exists.
• Childcare for those completing a permanent change of station: There are 20 free hours of home day care per child pen to all ranks. Must be used within 60 days of arrival/departure.
• Respite care for Exceptional Family Member Program families or families in crisis as recommended by the family advocacy office.
• Family care plan for temporary relief of natural disaster as a means of getting families back on track financially during floods, storms, typhoons, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, etc.
• All applications are considered on an individual basis.
• Self-referral for any of these programs is encouraged.