Safe haven – Allowances for Military Dependents

This document addresses evacuation allowances provided to military command-sponsored dependents who have been affected by a SECSTATE authorized/ordered departure - both evacuees and those caught by a stop movement order.  Non-command sponsored dependents are only authorized transportation to a safe haven, but are not authorized per diem, safe haven allowances or further transportation (return transportation only may be authorized in very limited circumstances).  Benefits for civilian family members are covered under a separate memorandum.  If military families are subsequently directed to move to a "designated place", related allowances are addressed under a separate memorandum.  Sponsors of families who wish to go to OCONUS safe havens must submit requests for waivers through their command channels to the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness) (PDUSD (P&R)).

Military family members who process through the designated Repatriation Site receive financial assistance in the form of 30 days advance per diem, a pay advance, and tickets for onward transportation, if authorized.  Families who return to CONUS via commercial air through alternate ports of entry or are restricted from entering the endangered country by a stop movement order should contact the respective Service point of contact listed in the message that follows every evacuation and details the allowances permitted for any needed assistance.

The following safe haven allowances for military dependents are described in greater detail in Joint Federal Travel Regulations, Vol. 1 (JFTR), Chapter 6 (online on the Internet at https://secureapp2.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/).  The JFTR is the final authority on evacuation allowances.

- Transportation expenses and travel per diem continue from the time the family departs the evacuation site, until the time they reach their CONUS safe haven location.  This includes time spent processing through the Repatriation Site.  Reimbursement is limited to authorized  travel time   The safe haven location is a temporary place of residence at which the family chooses to stay until OSD makes a determination that it is safe for them to return to their sponsor’s permanent duty station (PDS) or to select a "designated place" to await the sponsor’s return.  Families are expected to establish a permanent residence as soon as possible.  Dependents age 12 and older receive up to 100% of local per diem rate, children under age 12 receive up to 50% of the local per diem rate.  If the family chooses to travel from the repatriation site to their safe haven location via rental vehicle, only a monetary allowance in lieu of transportation (MALT) is reimbursable and it may not be sufficient to cover total costs for the rental vehicle and gas.

- Safe haven allowances are based on the local per diem rate and begin the day the family reaches its authorized safe haven location.  Safe haven allowances cease upon the earliest occurrence of the following events: termination of the authorized/ordered departure; initiation of the evacuee(s) return travel to their sponsor’s duty station or travel to a designated place; initiation of the sponsor’s travel to his/her next PDS/retirement/separation destination; or a maximum of 180 days.  Per diem consists of two separate parts: one part for lodging, and one for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE).  The lodging allowance is paid for those living in commercial quarters and must be documented by a receipt showing the daily cost of lodging.  Consequently, families staying with family or friends do not receive any lodging reimbursement.  If families rent lodging from a friend or relative with a bona fide written lease and the friend or relative does not jointly occupy the leased lodging, then lodging may be reimbursed.  Taxes for lodging in the U.S. and non-foreign OCONUS areas are a separate reimbursable expense.

For the first 30 days, if the family is living in commercial quarters, each dependent age 12 or older is authorized up to 100% of the local per diem rate and each child under age 12 receives up to 50% of the locality rate.  If living with friends or relatives, each family member age 12 or older receives 100% of the M&IE and each child under age 12 receive 50% of the M&IE.  With a bona fide lodging receipt (e.g., hotel bill,lease)  the family also is reimbursed for lodging costs.

For the 31st day, up to a maximum of 180 days, if the family is living in commercial quarters, each family member age 12 or older receives up to 60% of the local per diem rate and each child under age 12 receives up to 30% of the locality rate.  If living with friends or relatives, each family member age 12 or older  receives 60% of the M&IE rate and each child under age 12 receives 30% of the M&IE rate.

The family is also authorized a local travel allowance for travel in and around the local vicinity.  The rate for this entitlement is $25 per day regardless of the number of family members.  Receipts are not required.

If the sponsor has provided the family with the appropriate paperwork, the family may collect up to two months advance against his or her military pay.  (Repayment by the sponsor will begin within the first day of the month following payment  and must be repaid before retirement/separation).

The sponsor is authorized a family separation allowance (FSA Type II) - of $250 per month. This allowance is included in the sponsor’s paycheck.

The family may ship up to 350 pounds of unaccompanied baggage per adult and 175 pounds per child under 12 years of age, for a family total of no more than 1,000 pounds.  If unable to ship unaccompanied baggage because of circumstances beyond the evacuee’s control, an unaccompanied baggage allowance may be authorized to help defray the cost of items normally shipped that must be purchased.  The flat amounts per family are one evacuee $250; two evacuees $450; and three or more evacuees $600.  Each family, however, is financially responsible for the movement of their pets to and from the theater.  Transportation of pets cannot be at government expense.  The movement of household goods (other than those specifically authorized or approved by competent authority as needed for the dependents comfort and well being) or privately owned vehicles (POVs) to a safe haven is not authorized.  The family may elect to move to the sponsor’s next PDS/home of record/home of selection using the sponsor’s PCS allowances in lieu of authorized/ordered departure to ship household goods and a vehicle.  If a PCS order is used, no safe haven per diem is payable.

DD Form 1610, Request and Authorization for TDY Travel of DoD Personnel, has been approved) by the DoD Services for use as the authorization document during the evacuation of military dependents.  Specific fund cites have been approved by each of the Services for the travel and per diem of their family members.

The allowances outlined in this memorandum are applicable to all military dependents regardless of Service.  Upon reaching their safe haven location, military family members must report to the Service specific organizations responsible for their follow-on care.