What are the rules on dual-military couples receiving Family Separation Pay?

Gil Luis — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 06:59:41 -0500

My wife enlisted active duty in the ARMY last year and I am currently active duty Air Force deployed overseas. At the time of her enlistment we had been married and living together at my current home station. After speaking with several Air Force Finance personnel, all been under the impression that we should have been receiving Fam Sep Pay from the start of her basic training. (I thought so just because while I was in basic-tech school I received Fam Sep Pay) However, when my wife submitted paper work during AIT, her leadership denied the request stating that we were not "stationed" together prior to her receiving orders for basic training and that the ARMY does not pay BAH or Fam Sep Pay during basic and AIT. (AIT was 6 months). Unfortunately, I have read a few confusing forums and my wife's S1 personnel have been of no help in finding a definitive answer. FORM 1561 section 8 states in summary we must have been residing with my spouse prior to execution of military orders. I have also tried to submit for Family sep but denied because the payment is to the person whose orders resulted in the separation. Could some Finance Gurus help me out. Thank you all!

Response by LCpl Ferdinand Hughes made Feb 27 at 2018 7:40 AM

LCpl Ferdinand Hughes — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 07:40:00 -0500

If you are already getting FSA, then your spouse can't receive it at the same time. Only one service member is entitled to it, first come first serve, meaning whomever turns in the paperwork into their admin first gets the entitlement.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 27 at 2018 8:37 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 08:37:54 -0500

Yes that is how I understand it as well

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2018 10:26 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:26:07 -0500

Like mentioned above, only one gets FSA, but BAH (without dependents) should be given to both of you. Technically you were "stationed together" if you were living in the same house when you were deployed. If you lived in separate areas when you were deployed she would not be entitled BAH. Normally the Army starts this in reception your first week of boot camp. curious as to why they didn't allow it then??? All married Soldiers get BAH during basic training, unless they were separated.

Why didn't your spouse come with you to your oversea's location? Dual military is tough dual service military is nearly impossible.

Response by Gil Luis made Feb 27 at 2018 2:06 PM

Gil Luis — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 14:06:08 -0500

-we were living together in January '17 prior to her leaving to basic. I deployed July '17
-neither one of us receive fsa
-"no first come first serve" the person whose orders pulled them away is entitled to fsa reason I was denied

Response by LCpl Ferdinand Hughes made Feb 27 at 2018 2:13 PM

LCpl Ferdinand Hughes — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 14:13:02 -0500

As far as the BAH, either of you lived in government quarters? For her, it's a given being she is basic, but were you living in the barracks during AIT? Also, are there children being claimed as dependents?