Transitional Compensation: Help for Victims of Domestic Abuse

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Victims of abuse often feel isolated and discouraged. For the families of service members, this isolation is more intense because they may live far from extended family and friends. Fortunately, the military has programs and resources to help victims of domestic abuse. One of those programs, Transitional Compensation, helps alleviate the financial hardship family members have to face when they decide to leave an abusive relationship.

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Eligibility

Transitional Compensation is available to the spouses and children of service members who have been separated from military service or sentenced to a forfeiture of all pay and allowances due to domestic abuse. Family members become eligible for Transitional Compensation under the following circumstances:

• The family member must have been living in the home or married to the service member when the incident or incidents occurred.
• The service member must have served at least 30 days on active duty.
• The service member must be convicted of a dependent-abuse offense and:
• separated from military service under a court martial sentence,
• sentenced to a forfeiture of all pay and allowances by a court martial for a dependent-abuse offense, or
• administratively separated from military service, at least in part, for a dependent-abuse offense.

A dependent-abuse offense must be listed as a reason for the separation or forfeiture, although it does not have to be the primary reason. However, it is very difficult to add dependent abuse as a reason for separation after the service member has left the military.

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Compensation

In addition to financial compensation, Transitional Compensation includes other benefits.

• Amount of compensation. The compensation amount is based on the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), which changes annually. Current DIC amounts can be found at the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at www.vba.va.gov(follow the links under "Benefits" and "Compensation & Pension").
• Length of time compensation is available. Compensation is available for a minimum of 12 months or the unserved portion of the service member's obligated active service, whichever is longer. However, compensation will not extend beyond 36 months.
• Other benefits. As part of the Transitional Compensation program, you may be eligible for other benefits, including medical care, exchange privileges, and commissary privileges
• Applying for Transitional Compensation. Your installation's Family Advocacy Office or Legal Assistance Office can help you apply for Transitional Compensation. Compensation will begin once the application has been approved.
• Ineligibility. You will become ineligible for benefits if you remarry or move back in with the former service member while receiving benefits. If compensation is available for more than 12 months, you will be required to recertify your eligibility for Transitional Compensation annually.

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Additional assistance

Transitional Compensation is just one of the resources available to you as a victim of domestic violence. Your installation's Family Advocacy Program has victim advocates who can:

• help you develop a safety plan for you and your family
• help you access a safe house or shelter
• provide counseling
• accompany you to a medical exam or court appearance
• refer you to additional military and civilian resources
• help you apply for Transitional Compensation

It's important to remember that, as a victim of domestic violence, you are not alone. There are resources available to provide information and to help you make the best decisions for you and your family.

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Other resources

Marine Corps

www.usmc-mccs.org/transcomp

Information on Transitional Compensation as well as a directory of victim advocates organized by Marine Corps installation.

Army

www.myarmylifetoo.com

Information on Transitional Compensation and victim advocates. Follow the links for Family Advocacy under "Home and Family Life."

Air Force

ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil

Enter "Transitional Compensation" in the search box for information about eligibility and applications. Be sure to contact your nearest Family Advocacy Office for more information and help.

Military HOMEFRONT

www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil

A Department of Defense Web site for quality-of-life information designed to help troops and their families. Provides contact information for military installations and communities worldwide, resources for military families on a variety of topics, and detailed information about the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), including risk factors for abuse, reporting requirements and options, prevention strategies, and links to the FAP Web page for each service branch. (Click on "Troops and Families," then on "Interpersonal Abuse.")

Family Advocacy Program (FAP) locator

www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil

For the FAP locator, click on "Military Installations: Locate Programs and Services." In the first search box, scroll to and click on "Family Advocacy Program" and complete the other requested information.

Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Web sites by service branch

Each branch of military service has a Family Advocacy Web page with information about its own FAP policies, procedures, and support services, as well as links to installation programs and related sites. Depending on your service branch, go to:

Army

www.myarmylifetoo.com

Click on "Home and Family Life" then on "Family Advocacy."

Marine Corps

www.usmc-mccs.org

Click on "Family Life" then on "Family Advocacy Prg."

Navy

www.npc.navy.mil

Click on "Support and Services," then on "Community Support Program Policies," then on "Fleet and Family Support Programs."

Air Force

www.airforcefap.org

Your installation's support services

You can find more information on Transitional Compensation through your installation's Family Advocacy Program or the Legal Assistance Office. To find the nearest Legal Assistance Office, visit the U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance Web site at legalassistance.law.af.mil. You can locate your nearest installation by using the Military HOMEFRONT Installation Locator at www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/ismart/MHF-MI.

Military OneSource

This free 24-hour service, provided by the Department of Defense, is available to all active duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families. Consultants provide information and make referrals on a wide range of issues. You can reach the program by telephone at 1-800-342-9647or through the Web site at www.militaryonesource.com.

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