Dear Ms. Vicki,

“My husband is at Sheppard AFB taking classes for a new MOS. This is the first time we have been separated for Army business. My question pertains to 'separation payment' for spouses. My husband has been gone for almost four months and has actively filed all necessary paperwork to help me get the funds I need to survive while he’s away for 10 months. We have yet to receive word or even acknowledgment on the money that I’m supposed to receive and on future funds. I’m having a very hard time understanding why it’s taking so long to get the money that I so desperately need to pay bills. 

Is this normal? Does it always take months to get what I’m sure every military spouse needs for survival and sanity? Is there anything that I can do as an Army wife to speed up this process? Please help!”

Signed, 

Your devoted and poor (behind on the bills) Army wife

Dear Army Wife, 

I assume that you don’t have access to a checking or savings account with funds. This should be no reason for you to be left at home without money and other resources while your husband is away at school. 

It sounds like your husband established a monthly allotment to be sent to you. I’m not sure what is taking so long for it to be set up. Here’s the deal: Your husband should contact the finance office or his unit. The S-1 shop usually handles issues with pay. On the other hand, just because you’re not personally receiving funds, your husband is still being paid. Why can’t he wire you some money through Western Union, or overnight you a money order or something? 

He could even pay bills from his end, and still send you money. There’s no such thing as “separation pay” for spouses. Any money you receive will come from your husband’s pay, not additional money from the Army. Your husband should know this. Something doesn’t sound right about your experience. If your husband receives his monthly pay, he should send money to you for you to survive. Please let me know what happens ok. I wish you well. 

Keep in touch. 

Hi! 

“My ex-husband qualified for Navy retirement in January 2008. He didn't get around to applying for benefits (his retirement pay) until December 2008. Finally, this past spring, he contacted me to let me know that I should receive my share of his retirement very soon. I didn't want to assume this was the true, so after researching online for hours, and finding no help as to whom to call, I called him back. He had a phone number listed on the latest letter from the Navy. I called it, was redirected to the garnishment legal department and told they received my application for my portion of his retirement pay. But, 'regretfully,' the garnishment office hasn't transferred all records electronically, and they didn't know I was supposed to get payments now. 

So, after several phone calls, everything was put into gear. I asked if I would receive retroactive pay going back to January 2008 and one person told me 'yes' another said 'no.' My ex told me that in his first retirement check, he received at least 10 months of retroactive pay. That was in May 2009. My first check wasn't to arrive till July 1, so I patiently waited. All I received was a regular monthly check with no retroactive funds. 

Here are my questions: Is there webpage on Military.com that assists ex-spouses with related to retirement-pay issues? What do I have to do to receive my portion of the retroactive pay? Thanks for your time and all you do." 

J.R.

Dear J.R., 

Thank you so much for writing me and for sharing your story. Please let me know if you have resolved this issue. I see no reason why you were not paid retroactively and your husband received his. 

This sounds like a legal issue. Did you contact your divorce attorney who represented you in this case? What about the Navy garnishment legal department, did you contact them again? Providing more information for divorced spouses of servicemembers would be a good idea. Check out the benefits channel on Military.com to get more information about what you’re entitled to as an ex-spouse. I wish I could be more help. At any rate, let me know how you’re doing and keep in touch. 

Ms. Vicki