2008/09/30 09:59:00
Increased Military Pay Raise
A 3.9% pay raise is what active duty troops will see next year. The Administration sought only a 3.4% increase, but MOAA said servicemembers deserved more to close the gap between civilian and military pay. MOAA stormed Capitol Hill this spring with about 150 MOAA leaders, including members of our President’s Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Council saying the troops and their families deserved the extra money. That effort and your contacts to your Congressmen paid off – literally.
Increase in PCS Temporary Lodging Expenses
Military families who PCS in 2009 will have more expenses covered. A 60% increase in the daily temporary lodging reimbursement is what MOAA advocated for – and successfully got passed - for the future. The new allotment is $290 a day – a much more realistic amount than the existing $180 a day.
Paternity Leave for Active Duty Members
In my last e-letter, I told you about an effort underway to get 21 days of paternity leave for active duty members when their spouses give birth. Both the Senate and the House have now approved the authorization of 10 days. US military members will have additional time off outside of their normal leave time in connection with the birth of a child. Although it is less than the 21 days originally supported by the Senate, the authorization will help military families who usually live away from extended family.
Expanded Education and Training Opportunities For Military Spouses
The Department of Defense will now have the ability to establish programs or provide tuition assistance to help spouses of active duty military obtain the education and training needed to expand their employment and portable career opportunities. In addition, the Secretary of Defense can create programs or provide tuition assistance to help spouses achieve necessary professional licensure or credentials to further their careers.
This year’s limited Career Advancement Accounts of up to $3000 per year for two years (available in 8 states and 18 installations) have proven popular; however, spouses in other locations were not permitted to get the benefit. Now DoD is authorized to provide programs and tuition assistance to spouses on a broader basis. What those programs or financial assistance will be are uncertain at this time, but it’s definitely good news for military spouses seeking to develop careers as they relocate.
More Funding For School Districts with Military Children
The Defense Bill authorizes $35 million for schools with concentrated composition of military children. In addition, it grants $15M for schools significantly affected by base closure, relocation or force shaping movements and $5M for schools with severely disabled military children.
Specific PCS Weight Allowance For Spouses’ Professional Needs
Military families can now be authorized up to an additional 500 lbs. in weight allowance for shipment of a spouse’s professional books and equipment. Families over or near to their PCS weight limit, whose spouses have books and equipment related to their jobs may save extra out-of-pocket shipping costs.
When MOAA met with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees earlier this year, they were receptive to the needs of military spouses trying to develop careers and carry materials from place to place. In conference both the House and Senate supported the 500-lb designation for spouses that MOAA suggested – an impressive “move” for spouses.
Higher Payments For Children In Extended Health Care Option (ECHO)
Active duty members with children who need extra health care beyond normal TRICARE coverage will now have more financial support and flexibility. The defense bill increases the payment cap for active duty ECHO-qualified children from $2500 per month to $36K per year, which not only increases the amount, but also allows parents to carry over the funding from month-to-month when it is not used in a given month.
MOAA strongly advocated an increase in benefits to help ease the burden on families dealing with the choice of covering day to day living costs or getting the correct care for their children. While we wanted the cap to increase to $5,000 per month, we’re pleased with this significant move forward.
