Both the White House and Congress have expressed support for a 4.6-percent raise in basic pay for 2023. Image: allstars/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffIn response to rising costs for food, gas, housing and other consumer goods, the Air Force wants to steer airmen and guardians toward programs that would help them cope. Much of the available advice is applicable to members of all uniformed services.
“Financial strain due to inflation can create stresses on our teammates, and it is our responsibility as leaders at all levels to do everything we can to use available programs and resources to provide relief, and where appropriate, advocate for additional measures,” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
The service advises Air Force and Space Force members to review the Military Leaders Economic Security Toolkit, which can be found online at the Military OneSource website. It provides the latest information relating to economic security.
The Air Force is providing input to the Pentagon as leadership continues work on the 14th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, a thorough assessment of pays, allowances and benefits for service members. Meanwhile, the service is supporting the department’s push for a decrease in the rates of the Overseas Cost of Living Adjustment.
Also garnering support is the one-year pilot program to take place next year It would address shortcomings in the basic allowance for housing (BAH) calculation rate by accepting local market rental data from the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Partners as an additional factor for setting a correct rate.
Additionally, all service members should see some financial relief next year. Both the White House and Congress expressed support for a 4.6-percent raise in basic pay for 2023 – the highest in almost 20 years.
Other benefits and initiatives include:
• Ten more days’ eligibility to collect a temporary lodging expense (TLE) while awaiting housing following a permanent change of station (PCS) move.
• An increase to $0.625 per mile, up from $0.585, for mileage incurred during TDY (temporarily away from duty) travel. The mileage rate for PCS travel also increased – to $0.22 per mile, up from $0.18.
• Service members who are directed to move out of government quarters could qualify for a partial dislocation allowance.
• Base housing offices are providing help with challenges posed by PCS moves.
• The Air Force has increased the number of personal finance managers, who could help with money-management issues.
• The Air Force Aid Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Army Emergency Relief also stand ready to offer financial help in the form of loans or grants to those strapped for money to cover living expenses such as food, rent or mortgage, and utilities.
• Air Force first sergeants and the Airman and Family Readiness Centers also can provide grants or loans to cover food expenses, and provide referrals to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Federal Subsistence Allowance Program, and the Air Force Aid Society.
• A new Basic Needs Allowance, which took effect this year, provides extra money for service members and dependents when their gross income falls below 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines. The services are working with the office of the secretary of Defense to implement guidance on this new program.
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