ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) –
Assistance in reducing the impact of inflated costs on Airmen, Guardians and their families are available through four areas of effort.
In order to alleviate the burden of price increases, the Department of the Air Force is working to determine support over compensation, entitlement to permanent change of stationary / household goods, readiness for personal finances and assistance for food insecurity.
“Our pilots, guardians and their loved ones are playing critical national security roles on behalf of the nation,” the air force secretary said. Frank Kendall. “Financial tensions due to inflation can put tensions on our teammates, and it is our responsibility as leaders at all levels to do everything in our power to use available programs and resources to provide relief, and where appropriate, advocate for additional measures. ”
“Real-world events continue to drive inflation – from the continuing impact of COVID-19 on our global supply chains, to the economic and energy-related consequences of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. “Unfortunately, the rising costs due to inflation have placed a greater burden on our service members and their families,” said the deputy secretary of the air force. Gina Ortiz-Jones. “As we work to implement measures to mitigate that impact, I encourage all airmen and guardians to look at the available resources and programs and see which one can best help, as well as to inform their chain of command what is there. to help in times like these. “
A major effort is being made by Airman & Family Readiness Centers to ensure that pilots and guardians are not only educated, but ready to meet current economic conditions. Aircraft and guardians can contact their local finances or A & FRC for more information. For a detailed breakdown of each area of effort, see below.
Compensation:
– The Military Leaders Economic Security Toolkit, located on the Military OneSource website, provides information and support. The website is regularly updated to reflect challenges and policy changes related to economic security.
In 2022, the Department of Defense’s military base salary increased by 2.7%, basic housing allowance increased by an average of 3.8% and basic average allowance increased by 2.3%.
The DAF is working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense on the 14th Quarterly Review of Military Compensation, a DoD mandate review of remuneration principles and concepts for members of the armed forces.
The DAF supports OSD’s initiative to mitigate the impact of overseas cost-of-living adjustment by lowering rates at a slower pace – no more than a 2-point reduction per month.
For the 2023 BAH rate calculation effort, the DAF signed up for OSD’s annual pilot program to accept local market rental data from the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Partners as an additional mechanism to increase the sample size and help ensure the rate is set. This data will be part of the 2022 BAH rate setting cycle to calculate the 2023 BAH rate.
The White House and Congress have proposed a 4.6% salary increase for the military in 2023, the largest in almost two decades
Rights for PCS / Household Movements:
The Joint Travel Regulation provides for installations to request temporary accommodation cost extensions to support accommodation on and off the base, enabling pilots and guardians to receive their temporary subsistence rights after the traditional 10 days while waiting for housing after a PCS. Installations can request TLE extensions for a total of 60 days.
As of July 1, the DoD has accepted the Internal Revenue Service’s increase to the standard mileage tariffs to reflect on current rising fuel costs. Mileage for PCS travel increased from $ 0.18 to $ 0.22 per mile, and mileage for TDY travel increased from $ 0.585 to $ 0.625 per mile.
– The Joint Travel Regulation has been updated with a new authorization grant partial disruption allowance for members instructed to withdraw from government quarters, including single aircraft and guardians moving out of dormitories. The purpose of the grant is to partially reimburse a member for the expenses incurred to relocate the household.
– Installation housing offices assist members as they deal with potential housing challenges.
Personal financial readiness:
– A & FRC’s personal financial readiness program maintains and improves financial literacy and readiness by providing information, education, training and free personal financial advice to aircraft, guardians and their families. The DAF has also increased the number of personal financial managers available to assist and improve financial readiness and money management skills for members and their families.
– The Air Force Aid Association continues to support emerging needs such as basic living costs (eg food, rent / mortgage, utilities), vehicles (eg payments, repairs, insurance) and childcare costs. Aircraft and guardians can submit requests through A & FRCs.
Food insecurity:
– First Sergeants and A & FRCs assist pilots, guardians and families in need of food security related grants and loans with references to programs such as: US Department of Agriculture’s Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Programthe Federal Subsistence Grant Programand the Air Force Aid Association.
The FY22 National Defense Authorization Act has introduced a Basic Needs Allowance. The BNA program provides supplementary income for military members and dependents whose gross household income falls below 130% of federal poverty guidelines. The DAF participates in the OSD working group and will implement OSD guidelines as soon as they are published.
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