Family Separation Allowance Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a TDY school of 35 days qualify?

Yes, if the member has dependents and is geographically separated from them by orders for the full 35 days.

What if I take leave home during a long TDY?

FSA pauses for the days the member is physically with dependents. The 30-day clock does NOT reset, but those days are not counted as paid FSA days.

Are dual-military couples without children eligible?

Generally no - without qualifying dependents the entitlement does not arise, even for dual-military couples who both deploy.

Is FSA taxable income?

No - FSA is excluded from gross income under 37 U.S.C. Section 427.

When does FSA stop?

FSA stops the day the member returns to the same location as their dependents, even mid-month. Payment is prorated to the day of reunion.

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Estimates for informational purposes only.

Important Disclaimer: Estimates for informational purposes only.

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are based on assumptions and may not reflect actual outcomes. Consult qualified professionals in relevant fields before making important decisions based on these results.

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How It Works

Family Separation Allowance (FSA) is a flat $250/month tax-free allowance paid to service members with dependents who are separated from those dependents for more than 30 continuous days because of military orders. The statutory rate has been $250/month since the 2020 NDAA increase.

FSA exists to partially offset the increased household costs that arise when a service member is away from family - duplicate communications expenses, paid childcare normally covered by the absent spouse, additional travel for the remaining parent, and so on. This calculator estimates daily, monthly, and total FSA for a given separation length and confirms eligibility against the 30-day threshold and dependency requirement.

Eligibility

FSA is dependency-based and requires both a qualifying dependent and a qualifying separation. Key criteria include:

The member must have a qualifying dependent (spouse or child) who cannot accompany them.

Separation must be due to military orders for more than 30 consecutive days.

Three types qualify: FSA-R (restricted - dependents not authorized to accompany), FSA-S (sea duty 30+ days), and FSA-T (TDY/temporary additional duty 30+ days).

Members without dependents do not qualify, regardless of separation length.

Only one type of FSA can be paid per month - they cannot be stacked.

Tips

FSA is retroactive - once the 30-day threshold is met on day 31, the allowance back-pays from day 1 of the separation. A 32-day deployment pays 32 days of FSA, not just 2 extra days.

FSA pauses for any days the member is physically co-located with their dependents during leave at home. The 30-day clock does not reset, but those days are not counted as paid FSA days.

FSA can stack with Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay, Combat Zone Tax Exclusion, and deployment bonuses - these are separate entitlements.

Update your DEERS records to ensure dependents are properly enrolled before a deployment begins, since FSA eligibility is tied to official dependent records.

FSA counts toward TSP contribution wages but NOT toward the High-3 retirement calculation.

FAQ