1535 Military Pay

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
TANF Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Military Pay

Effective Date:

January 2020

Chapter:

1500

Policy Number:

1535

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT 1

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-52

Requirements

Military pay, housing allowances, subsistence allowances and other entitlements are considered when determining eligibility for cash assistance.

Basic Considerations

Military pay is treated as earned income when the individual in the military is an AU member.

When a person in the military is not in the AU but gives money to the AU or authorizes money to be sent to the AU, that money is counted as unearned income contribution.

The Clothing Maintenance Allowance (CMA) is treated as a reimbursement. Military pay is counted in the month for which it is intended.

Advance Pay/Casual Pay is counted in the month received.

Treatment of Income and Verification Requirement

Verify all military pay. Use the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) to verify the type and amount of military income.

Chart 1535.1 provides information on the treatment of military pay.

Determine if there are any debt repayments listed on the LES and treat as follows:

  • if a debt repayment is for Advance Pay then deduct the repayment from the gross income

  • if a debt repayment, listed as FININ or Debt Repayment on LES, is for a personal loan, such as for a car, count the repayment as part of the gross income.

Do not allow the following as deductions or exclusions from income.

  • an allotment withheld for a dependent, unless the allotment is for an ineligible child;

  • federal tax, FICA, SGLI, Soldiers Home, or insurance.

Use the chart below to determine treatment of military pay:

Chart 1535.1 - Treatment of Military Pay
BENEFIT TREATMENT OF INCOME

Amount Brought Forward

Disregard amounts brought forward from a previous month.

Advance Pay/Casual Pay

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month received.

Base Pay

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month received.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended. The BAH is one monthly payment, replacing the Variable Housing Allowance (VHA) and Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ).

Basic Allowance for Subsistence

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

Career Sea Pay

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

Clothing Maintenance Allowance (CMA)

Do not count as income. Consider it as a reimbursement. Deduct the CMA from the total gross earned income.

Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) or HOUSE

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

Fly Pay/Fly Pay-non

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA)

Count the gross amount as earned in the month received

Jump Pay

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

Leave or Separate Rations

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

National Guard Pay

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

Pro-Di

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.

Reenlistment Bonus

Treat the gross amount as a non-recurring lump sum payment.

If paid in installments, count as unearned income in the month received.

Regular Sea Pay

Count the gross amount as earned income in the month for which it is intended.