Military Family Month: Free Resources for Your Next Move

Military Family Month: Free Resources for Your Next Move

/ PCS Tips, Resources / / 5 minutes of reading

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A Month to Recognize Military Families

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month, a nationwide observance that has been recognized every year since 1996. It honors the spouses, kids and loved ones who serve right alongside their service members, including through frequent moves.

One of the best ways to mark the month is to make sure your family is using the support it has already earned. Many of the most helpful PCS programs are free, and many families never tap into them. Here is a guide to the no-cost resources worth knowing before your next move.

Start With a Plan: Plan My Move

Plan My Move is a free online tool from Military OneSource that breaks a move into clear, manageable steps. You answer a few questions, and it builds task lists tailored to your situation. As you add details about your move, the checklists get more specific.

  • Customized checklists and calendars for each stage of the move.
  • Expense estimates to help you see costs before they hit.
  • Forms for housing and household goods in one place.
  • Tips on housing, transportation and finances for your new duty station.

It works for first-time movers and for families on their fifth PCS, and family members can use it too.

Get Local Help: Relocation Assistance Program

Every installation has a Military and Family Support Center, and most relocation services run through its Relocation Assistance Program. These centers are open to service members and families from any branch.

Relocation staff can help you with:

  • Household goods scheduling and shipment information.
  • Temporary lodging and local housing options at your new location.
  • Child care, school and medical connections at the gaining installation.
  • Spouse employment and job search support.
  • Newcomer orientations, predeparture briefings and loan closets, which lend basic household items while your shipment is on the way.

Programs vary by installation. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, a searchable online directory covering more than 250 installations worldwide, lists contact details and local services for each base.

Talk to an Expert, Any Time

Military OneSource consultants are available 24/7, every day of the year, by phone or secure live chat. Spouse relocation and transition consultants are trained in military moves and can help build a free, personalized moving plan, share information about your new duty station and point you to affordable housing resources.

Build Your PCS Budget: Free Financial Counseling

A PCS often comes with costs you don’t see coming. Military OneSource offers free, confidential financial counseling with AFC-certified counselors, in person, by phone, by secure chat or by video. There is no limit on the number of sessions, and service members and spouses can attend together.

Counselors can help you:

  • Create or adjust a PCS budget.
  • Plan for out-of-pocket moving expenses.
  • Understand allowances and reimbursements, such as the Dislocation Allowance.
  • Prepare for housing and cost-of-living changes at the new duty station.

If you plan to buy at your next location, a counseling session is a smart first step before talking with a lender. Your installation’s Personal Financial Management office offers free counseling as well.

Find Housing Near Your New Base

HOMES.mil is the only DoD-sponsored rental listing website used by military housing offices. It connects families with community rentals near U.S. bases, and it’s a good way to get a feel for local rents while you decide whether to rent or buy.

Your installation housing office can also explain on-base options, share local rental lists and help with landlord or lease questions.

Help Your Family Settle In

  • School Liaison Program: School liaisons help families find schools, transfer credits and locate youth programs near the new home.
  • Military Sponsorship: A sponsor at the gaining installation shares local knowledge and helps you settle in faster. Sponsors are assigned through your unit, but your Military and Family Support Center can help if you don’t have one.
  • Child care: MilitaryChildCare.com helps you find DoD-approved care options. Some families may also be eligible for reimbursement for temporary child care after a PCS.
  • Counseling: The Military and Family Life Counseling Program and Military OneSource offer free, confidential support for the stress that comes with moving.
  • EFMP Family Support: Families with special needs can get help making sure needs are met during the move, including school transfers.

3 Steps to Take This Week

1. Start a checklist: Open Plan My Move and answer the setup questions, even if your orders aren’t final yet.

2. Find your support center: Look up your current and next installation in MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and save the Military and Family Support Center contact details.

3. Book a money check-in: Schedule a free financial counseling session to build a PCS budget and talk through whether renting or buying makes sense at your next stop.

The Bottom Line

Military families move often, but they don’t have to do it alone. Free tools, local relocation experts, financial counselors and school liaisons are already in place to help. This Military Family Month, take an hour to line them up, and pair that support with a local real estate agent who knows military moves for a smoother transition to your next home.

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