Are dual military both entitled to Family Separation Allowance (FSA)?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:00:54 -0500

I am currently TDY (retraining to a different career field, will be here a total of 52 days) and my husband deployed a day after I left. Are we both entitled to Family Separation Allowance? I've heard a few different things (e.g. only the higher-ranking will get FSA, both members will get FSA, etc) and would just like some clarification or hear about cases people have gone through that are similar.
Side note: I will also PCS to a new base while he is still deployed, and he will have to return to the same duty location he departed from to out-process and then join me.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 12 at 2016 6:03 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:03:23 -0500

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member I would check with your personnel unit branch or JAG to ensure of said benefit.

Response by SSgt Mike Hogan made Jan 12 at 2016 6:13 PM

SSgt Mike Hogan — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:13:39 -0500

Don't have any info for you. Just wanted to say thank you to both you and your husband. My son deploys Thursday leaving behind wife and kid. Be strong and you two will be together again soon.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 12 at 2016 6:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:36:45 -0500

I am pretty sure rank does not matter, what matters is someone is gone more than 30 days. I doubt two can get that entitlement, but I would check FINANCE to confirm. NOW SAY FINANCE!

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Jan 12 at 2016 6:38 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:38:50 -0500

Dunno if this provides any initial clarity or not, but FWIW:

http://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/fsa.html

... You are on temporary duty (TDY) (or temporary additional duty) away from the permanent station continuously for more than 30 days, and your dependents are not residing at or near the TDY station. ...

Family Separation Allowance

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jan 12 at 2016 6:57 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:57:25 -0500

The answer is yes, you are both entitled to FSA if you have other dependents like children. If you are only married to each other then only one may receive FSA even if both deployed. This is outlined in DoD Directive 1340.24 section 2.2.f: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134024p.pdf

Also, more common language offered on one of the Army sites, which doesn't seem to outline a requirement for additional dependents:

"Effective October 1, 2008, FSA is also payable to both members of dual military couples (both are military servicemembers) when they reside together immediately before both being assigned to duty assignments that meet any of the conditions described below. The dual allowance continues as long as both members are in those assignments. When one of the members is no longer assigned to the FSA-qualified duty assignment, the other member continues to receive a single allowance until that member is also no longer in that qualifying assignment."
Source: http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/Federal_Benefits_Page/Family_Separation_Allowance_(FSA)_.html?serv=149

Response by SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc made Jan 12 at 2016 7:30 PM

SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:30:40 -0500

Hope this helps but eons ago in 2004 both my husband and I both received FSA, he was deployed and I was TDY for six weeks.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 9:41 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:41:54 -0500

Nope. Once one of you is gone, you are both separated. I asked the same question when I was early in my career. My ex-wife is in and my wife was. Dual family separation would have been nice though.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 13 at 2016 3:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:33:29 -0500

Family Separation Allowance (FSA)

Army National Guard: Federal Active Duty

Benefit Fact Sheet

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Summary:

Family Separation Allowance (FSA) is payable to Soldiers with dependent Family members when the Soldier is required to be away from his or her permanent duty station for more than 30 continuous days in a TDY status and his/her dependents are not residing at or near the temporary station.

Eligibility:

Army National Guard Soldiers who are assigned or deployed to locations where their dependent Family members are not authorized to accompany them may be eligible for FSA. Wounded Warriors may also be eligible for FSA.

Benefit Highlights:

General
The purpose of the FSA is to provide compensation for added expenses incurred due to enforced Family separation. Currently all types of FSA are payable in the monthly amount of $250. Soldiers serving in any grade with dependents are eligible for FSA as long as they meet the general requirements and one of the conditions of the three types of FSA. FSA applies to Soldiers serving inside or outside the United States but is not authorized when a Soldier performs duty at any station under permissive orders.

Effective October 1, 2008, FSA is also payable to both members of dual military couples (both are military servicemembers) when they reside together immediately before both being assigned to duty assignments that meet any of the conditions described below. The dual allowance continues as long as both members are in those assignments. When one of the members is no longer assigned to the FSA-qualified duty assignment, the other member continues to receive a single allowance until that member is also no longer in that qualifying assignment.

Types of FSA
There are three types of FSA which may apply to Soldiers:
1.FSA-R (Family Separation Allowance--Restricted) which applies to the following conditions:
a) the transportation of dependents is not authorized at government expense and dependents do not live in the area of the Soldier's permanent duty station; OR,
b) the transportation of dependents is authorized but a dependent cannot accompany the Soldier due to certified medical reasons and the Soldier elects an unaccompanied tour of duty.
2.FSA-T (Family Separation Allowance--Temporary) which applies when a Soldier is on temporary duty continuously for more than 30 days away from their permanent duty station and their dependents are not residing at or near the TDY station. This includes Soldiers who:
a) must perform TDY before reporting to their initial permanent duty assignment;
b) redeploy for a period of 30 days or less to the permanent duty station and then deploy again for a period of more than 30 days; dependents are not required to reside in the area of the permanent duty station for this to apply.
3.FSA-S (Family Separation Allowance--Ship) which applies when a military member is on duty aboard a ship that is away from homeport for more than 30 days continuously; this includes the situation when a military member redeploys for a period of 30 days or less to homeport and then deploys again for a period of more than 30 days; dependents are not required to reside in the area of the permanent duty station for this to apply.

Dependent Visits
Depending on the type of FSA being received there are limitations that apply to visits by dependents that determine whether the allowance continues or stops:
1.FSA-R: Soldier's dependents cannot visit the permanent duty station for more than three continuous months and the facts must clearly show that the dependents are visiting and not changing residence. If the visit extends beyond 30 continuous days, FSA will be stopped but started again on the day the dependents depart the permanent station. A Soldier is entitled to FSA-R even if one or more (but not all) dependents visit for longer than three months. The Soldier is paid FSA on behalf of the dependents that are not visiting or remaining for more than 3 months.
2.FSA-T: Soldier's dependents can visit the temporary duty station for 30 continuous days or less. Facts must clearly show they are only visiting. If the visit is more than 30 days, the Soldier is not eligible for FSA for any part of that period; unless the visit is extended due to illness or another emergency when the allowance payment is limited to 30 days. Payment of FSA resumes the day the dependents depart the temporary duty station provided that the TDY period extends for more than 30 days beyond that date. A Soldier is entitled to FSA-T even if one or more (but not all) dependents visit for longer than 30 days. The Soldier is paid FSA on behalf of the dependents that are not visiting or remaining for more than 30 days.
3.FSA-S: Military members continue to receive FSA as long as dependents visit the duty station or port for less than 30 continuous days. Facts must show that dependents are truly visiting. If the visit is longer than 30 days the FSA entitlement ends on the day before the dependents arrived; unless the visit is extended due to illness or another emergency when the allowance payment is limited to 30 days. A military member is entitled to FSA-S even if one or more (but not all) dependents visit for longer than 30 days. The Soldier is paid FSA on behalf of the dependents that are not visiting or remaining for more than 30 days.

Dual Military Couples
Married military members are both eligible to receive full FSA ($250 each for a total of $500) when they reside together with their dependents immediately prior to both being assigned to qualifying duty assignments. The dual allowance continues until one of the members is no longer assigned to a qualifying duty assignment. The other member will continue to receive FSA until no longer assigned to a qualifying duty assignment.

Wounded Warriors
Wounded Warriors continue to receive FSA following their date of injury in accordance with the Pay and Allowance Continuation (PAC) Program that began May of 2008. Wounded Warriors continue to receive FSA without

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 9:17 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:17:47 -0500

You both get FSA but only if you are not at your home of station and have other dependents.

Otherwise if you have not additional dependents it will work like this:

If both away from home station only higher ranking with get
If only one away from home station they will get regardless of rank.

Least that's how it worked with me and my wife. (She did not get FSA because I was deployed and she was home......but when were both gone TDY she got it cause she was higher rank)

Also how it works for my son and his wife......they each get FSA if they both away from home station but only the one deployed gets FSA if the other is at home station...they have no dependents

Anyway

Best answer is to check with finance.

Hope this helps.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Jan 19 at 2016 7:50 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 07:50:43 -0500

Just call your pay office. I have been out of mil pay for 3 years and can't quote the reg. Never ask someone that does not do the job. You get bad advice that way. That is what we pay FM for.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 2:00 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 14:00:55 -0500

These forums are great! But I also urge to take some time to do the research on your own. Google is yoru friend now a days, it's pretty easy to find the AFI or the direvtive that pertains to your question, not matter what the question is. Especially when it comes to ones paycheck or entitlement! What the Maj is stating below seems to be the most current, but again you are relying on someone else's knowledge. You will grow yourself and possibly be able to help another airmen more if you do the research yourself.

Like some have mentioned down below, you both are entiled but only if you have children, if it's just you and your spouse you only recieve it once. Also because it's a TDY not a PCS you will recieve FSA II. You can look that up too.