Food stamps have been around for many years, to assist those on low incomes to ensure they can purchase enough healthy food for themselves and their families, effectively as a bonus allowance in return for service. Over recent years the system has been modified and improved, and at first sight it may not seem simple.In May 2001 the National Defense Authorization Act wrote a new fiscal policy modifying the terms of the food stamp system. The system was aimed at all forces members, but also to further assist families on food stamps. Eligibility for the old food stamp system was based on household size and total household income and was actually received by less than 1 percent of the military.

The new allowance is called the Families Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA). The new system is more inclusive and takes into account those serving overseas where food stamps have not previously been available, as the system is calculated by combined income and household size, and not whether the family is already in receipt of food stamps.

The level of cash received by families is set at 130 percent of the national federal poverty line and food stamps are effectively cashed in. The allowance is set not to exceed $500 a month.

The allowance is non-taxable and can be applied for simply by filling in a form and submitting it to the commander. The form can even be completed online and e-mailed. Once the commander approves an application they may require an applicant to attend a financial management class just to improve their knowledge of how best to manage their personal finances.

Food stamps are affected with an applicant being in receipt of military allowances, as this counts as actual income. So food stamps are likely to be reduced. Other allowances that may be affected are infant and child program allowances, income-based day care programs, and the subsidized school lunch program.

Despite any complexity in the system or potential benefit reductions because of military allowances, the food stamp program is an important and worthwhile option for those military families that need the assistance.

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

Do not fear, if you have been left unemployed from the Armed Forces (or separated as they term it), there are several options open to you to receive some form of benefits from your state, albeit as a result of a federal initiative.There are, as you would expect, some conditions, and you must have:
• Been on active service with a branch of the US Military; you may be entitled based on your service.
• Been separated under honorable conditions.

It is also good to know that during your service there is no payroll deduction for contribution to unemployment benefits when you leave. The cost is covered by the government.

If you do receive separation pay, then your unemployment compensation may be affected as a result. Retirees will almost certainly receive a reduced rate and possibly even no unemployment pay if they are in receipt of separation compensation.

The unemployment office of each state handles state benefits and the rates vary from state to state, so there is no generic answer as to the amounts of entitlement you may have. The nearest unemployment office will be listed in your telephone directory.

You can also receive information assistance from the National Military Families Association (NMFA) which is the only organization that is solely focused on the military family and its members. They are real experts in helping serving and ex-serving Armed Forces members and their families.

One area that the NMFA specializes in is helping spouses find benefit and employment as they have to suffer moves at the call of their military partner; they may not be able to get a job of their choice and may have to settle for whatever can pay the bills.

Another organization that assists military families is the Military Spouses Career Network. The network has carried out widespread research into the effects of moving every few years, and examined the benefits that are open to both the spouse and the military member should they be left unemployed by the Armed Forces, directly or indirectly.

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

The military (active duty) retirement system is widely acknowledged to be one of the best deals you can get anywhere. You effectively get a pension when you leave that is paid to you every year for the rest of your life, and you could be in receipt of it as early as 37 years of age if you retire from the service at that stage.The other hugely significant benefit is that the pension scheme is index linked, so it grows with the cost of living. If you have served in the Reserves, then the system is different and you should research the subject separately.

Over the past 20 years, there have been many changes to the military retirement pay system and the government is dedicated to reviewing the system all the time so that the military gets the best deal. Here are some of the most recent changes.

Payment Cap Now Lifted
There used to be a cap on the maximum percentage of the retired pay base up to 30 years, but this has now been lifted. So if you serve 32 years you will receive 80 percent and if you serve 42 years it will be 105 percent of the retired base pay.

• Cap Lift Exclusions: there are always exceptions, and if you have retired because of disability then the law still maintains a payment cap of 75 percent.
• If, in the case of the Army and Air Force, you have been cited for Extraordinary Heroism then there is a cap of 75 percent on the computation. This is a legacy rule from the before the regulatory changes and it simply has not been changed. This cap is offset though by an additional payment benefit only available to those cited for Extraordinary Heroism, such as the monthly benefits paid to Purple Heart recipients.

Determine your rate
If you entered the service prior to September 1980, then you are eligible for the Final Payment scheme (the last pay rate you held prior to retirement). If you entered service between September 8th and August 1986, your rate is determined through the High 36 system. And finally, if you entered service after August 1986, you can choose between the High 36 or the Career Status Bonus/REDUX programs. If you can’t or don’t choose, then you will automatically be placed on the High 36 retirement pay system.

Regardless of which military retirement pay system you fall under, the benefits offered for military retirement remain among the best available retirement systems, and is truly an award for your long years of service to the country.

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

The original Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act (SSCRA) was signed in 1940 and was submitted for re-evaluation under the second Bush Administration. A new Act was signed on 19 December 2003 by President Bush and called the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The legislation was designed to assist in easing the economic and legal burden that was placed on many servicemen and women who were called up to take part in active duty service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Protection
The original SSCRA has in fact remained largely unchanged from its 1940 version, but much of the language has been clarified to make it easier to comprehend. The intention of the Act was to provide certain protections to servicemen and women, such as:

• Staying court hearings under certain circumstances.
• Reducing interest rates to 6% on pre-service loans and obligations.
• Requiring court action before a service member’s family can be evicted from their property for non-payment of rent, but only if the monthly rent is less than $1200.
• Allowing termination without penalty of a pre-service residential lease.
• Allowing service members to retain their state taxation status for their state of residence despite possible military relocation to other states.
• A new provision allowing the termination of automobile leases for use by the service members and their dependants. Pre-service automobile leases may be cancelled if service members are called to active duty for a period of 180 days or more.

There are many other provisions that can be found in detail by reviewing the full Act on the internet. The bottom line is that not much has changed. The purpose of the Act is to help and protect those who are called up to active duty by providing cost savings and legislative exemptions to assist and minimize the inconveniences that can be caused by an active duty call up. These assisting measures are not only available to full-time servicemen and women. They are also, to a certain degree, available to Reservists called up for active duty service.

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

Married, active duty airmen are now authorized 10 days of nonchargeable paternity leave following the birth of their newborns, courtesy of the 2009 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress. The Airman’s wife must have given birth to the child on or after Oct. 14, 2008.
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

The Navy announced the implementation of a paternity leave policy authorized Oct. 14 which is part of the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act. The paternity leave policy provides Sailors another tool designed to help balance work and family. It grants 10 days of non-chargeable leave to married fathers who are currently serving on active duty following the birth of a child.
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

Each year, Congress authorizes military pay using tables that specify each servicemember’s salary based upon their rank and years of service. It’s possible for you to compute the basic pay of any service member using these tables. They are current as of the most recent defense authorization on January 1, 2009.

2009 Commissioned Officer Pay Tables

2009 Warrant Officer Pay Tables

2009 Enlisted Pay Tables

These tables describe basic pay, which is only one of three elements of military compensation.

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

The following tables contain the basic pay rates for commissioned officers in the United States military. These pay tables apply to all servicemembers in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. They also apply to commissioned officers of the Coast Guard, Public Health Service and NOAA Commissioned Corps.

The data in these tables is current as of the most recent defense authorization (January 1, 2009).

2009 Officer Pay (Over 30 Years of Service)

2009 Officer Pay (16-30 Years of Service)

2009 Officer Pay (Up to 16 Years of Service)

2009 Officer Pay (With >4 Years Prior Enlisted Service)

You might also be interested in viewing the pay tables for enlisted servicemembers and warrant officers.

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

The following tables contain the basic pay rates for warrant officers in the United States military. These pay tables apply to all warrant officers in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. The data in these tables is current as of the most recent defense authorization (January 1, 2009).

2009 Warrant Officer Pay (Up to 16 Years of Service)

2009 Warrant Officer Pay (16-30 Years of Service)

2009 Warrant Officer Pay (Over 30 Years of Service)

You might also be interested in viewing the pay tables for enlisted servicemembers and commissioned officers.

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | No Comments »

The following tables contain the basic pay rates for enlisted memebrs and noncommissioned officers in the United States military. These pay tables apply to all servicemembers in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps.

The data in these tables is current as of the most recent defense authorization (January 1, 2009).

2009 Enlisted Pay (Up to 16 Years of Service)

2009 Enlisted Pay (16-30 Years of Service)

2009 Enlisted Pay (Over 30 Years of Service)

You might also be interested in viewing the pay tables for commissioned officers and warrant officers.

Posted in Military Pay & Benefits | 2 Comments »