If a dual-military couple with children are stationed at different duty stations, are both eligible for Family Separation Allowance?

2018-06-27T09:53:30-04:00

Both were stationed together prior to one receiving orders to another duty station not within 100 miles.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 27 at 2018 10:28 AM

2018-06-27T10:28:52-04:00

Here's what I found; I would definitely call finance and see whether its changed:

When you have two military members married to each other, the rules regarding Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) can get a little confusing. There is one general rule, but then there are all sorts of variations depending on variables.

In general, dual military couples without dependents each receive their respective BAH. In dual military families with dependents, the higher ranking service member receives BAH at the with-dependent rate and the lower ranking service member receives BAH at the without-dependent rate.

And then there are the variations.

Not Co-Located

If dual military service members are not stationed together, and they do not have dependents, they will be treated as a single service member for purposes of BAH. This means that if the other "single" people in their unit, of the same rank, are eligible for BAH, they are eligible for BAH. If the other "single" people in their unit, of the same rank, are not authorized BAH, they are not automatically authorized BAH. They can, of course, always request BAH from the command. The results may vary. If dual military service members are not stationed together, and one service member is residing in the barracks, the other service member will continue to receive BAH at the appropriate rate.
If there are dependents, the with-dependent rate will be given for the location at which the dependents are residing. In the unlikely event that there are dependents residing at each location, each service member would be authorized BAH at the with-dependents rate. Be sure to carefully document this situation - it is likely to cause questions and confusion.

Living in Military Housing

When a dual military couple resides in military housing (government-owned or PPV), the BAH of the senior service member should be forfeited as payment for the housing. The lesser BAH remains for the family's use.
I'm sure there are some situations that I didn't think about...let me know and we'll figure it out!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 12:12 PM

2018-06-27T12:12:30-04:00

2LT Private RallyPoint Member Amy, I recommend you both go to your post finance office and you both submit paperwork up.

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 1:25 PM

2018-06-27T13:25:57-04:00

In this case, no. The member that caused the separation due to military orders will be the member that receives FSA. There are provisions in place where both members could recieve FSA when they are married and have children, but both members would have to have orders that cause separation. For example, if both members deployed. One would get it for the spouse and the other for the child(ren), barring all conditions are satisfied. The reference is the DoDFMR, Vol 7A, Ch 27.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 27 at 2018 4:43 PM

2018-06-27T16:43:59-04:00

I called finance and they said you are qualified for FSA if you live together and become involuntarily seperated.