The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has finally issued some guidance on how the federal government's budget situation could affect military pay issues. The main page has a bit of information, but the really good stuff becomes available once you click through to the Frequently Asked Questions page. Tidbits that jumped out as particularly important include:
Active and Reserve military members will be paid on time for pay earned prior to the expiration of the CRA (midnight April 8) -- approximately half of their normal mid-month payment. Active duty military and on-duty reservists cannot be paid for duty performed after the CRA expired, until additional legislation is enacted. Once another CRA or an appropriations act is signed into law, normal disbursement of pay will resume for pay earned after employees return to work. Military members who perform duty during the shutdown will be entitled to retroactive payments.
For any time up to when the Continuing Resolution Act (CRA) expires, active duty and reservists completing duty will be paid. The current CRA expires at midnight on April 8. Active and Reserve military members will be paid on time for pay earned prior to the expiration of the CRA -- approximately half of their normal mid-month payment .
There are several key components to this answer. First, our military men and women will be paid on time for duty performed prior to the expiration of the most recent CRA. Second, at this time, active duty military and on-duty reservists cannot be paid for duty performed after the CRA expires until additional appropriations legislation is enacted. Finally, once another CRA or an appropriations act is signed into law, normal disbursement of pay will resume for pay. Military members will be paid for duty performed during the shutdown.
Regarding allotments, DFAS has this very useful information:
Q1. Will DFAS still make scheduled allotment payments during the shutdown? Will DFAS notify recipients that no payments are being made because of the shutdown?
Military allotments and garnishment are released as part of the End of Month pay process. If a shutdown goes beyond End of Month processing, allotments and pay would be impacted by the lack of appropriations. Once a CRA or appropriations act is enacted, pay would be generated and allotments will be paid.
I am glad that DFAS has finally decided to release information to the military members it serves. I think it is absolutely appalling that it has taken this long to get official notification of things that we have known for weeks. I hope that this has answered some of your questions.
Looking for a more "If this, then that" type of coverage? Check out But What About Pay at SpouseBUZZ
