Cnic // Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea

The Personnel Support Activity Detachment (PSD), Seoul, provides assistance to Sailors and their dependents while stationed in Korea.
 

Banking Options
Banking facilities that are available on post include Community Band and Navy Federal Credit Union. Personnel who live on the economy are strongly advised to establish an account with either bank to alleviate check cashing issues.
Click on the links to be directed to the following bank web sites:
Community Bank
Navy Federal Credit Union
 

Living "Off-Post" in Korea
Members who are moving off-post for the first time:

1. Visit the housing office to obtain necessary paperwork and current information on off-post housing policy.
2. Find a house and sign the lease. We definitely recommend going through one of the realtors approved by the housing office. The list is available at the housing office.
3. Once you sign the lease, take the lease to the housing office. The housing office will sign and complete the OHA paperwork and offer you government furniture if accompanied by dependents.
4. Once OHA paperwork is completed, your command admin office will prepare a memo for advance OHA, if needed. The advance OHA can be paid to the member for the first month rent and the security deposit. Bring the OHA paperwork, lease, and memo to PSD for processing.
5. The advance OHA will be paid to your direct deposit account via EFT. Make sure you have a way of withdrawing the funds here in Korea.
6. Once advance OHA has been paid to you, the OHA will be deducted starting the following month for a period of twelve months. The advance security deposit will be deducted starting the 13th month for a period of another twelve months unless on a one year tour. If on a one year tour, the security deposit debt will be cancelled in whole on the 12th month in a lump sum cash transaction from the service member to PSD.

How to pay the monthly rent:

1. We recommend opening a savings account with one of the local banks on base, and then create an allotment for the OHA amount through MyPay to the new account.   

Things to look for before you sign the lease:

1. Make sure to list all repairs and services that you want on the lease. Indicate the date you want them completed.
2. You would probably want cable service and utilities included in the rent. It will make your life much easier.

Members who are renewing leases:

1. Check the link to find the Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) for your paygrade. http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/ohaCalc.cfm
2. Personnel are required to sign the lease in Won in order to protect themselves from fluctuations in currency exchange rate. Rental ceiling will change according to the exchange rate and the economy.

Family Separation Allowance (FSA): Are you entitled?... (Probably Not)
Beware of what you may have heard from your detailer or your current PSD. FSA is not automatically entitled when a sailor is separated from his or her dependents. The allowance only exists when the separation is a forced separation. IAW DODFMR VOL 7 Article 270301.A1, a forced separation occurs when transportation of dependents is not authorized. This occurs when either the family members cannot screen for overseas assignment or the area to which the service member is ordered does not allow dependents.
 

In Korea, the Navy is allowed dependent travel unless dependent entry approval is denied. This is very rare. There are only a few locations in Korea where dependents are not authorized, i.e. Pohang. Even if your dependents cannot screen for overseas, to be entitled to FSA, it is imperative that the screening be completed even though failure is anticipated. This will provide PSD Seoul or CSD Chinhae authorization to pay FSA. You will be required to make a tour election via a page 13 entry prior to your departure from CONUS. If one has not been made, it will be completed upon your reporting to Korea. An election of an unaccompanied tour results in no entitlement to FSA.
 

If you require additional information or have any other questions regarding your financial needs while on tour in Korea, please contact PSD via the following methods