Family Separation Allowance Increase in 2026
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 included many changes to military benefits, including the Family Separation Allowance (FSA), which was increased from $250 to $300 per month.
That change took effect on January 1, 2026, and was said to be the first payment increase in over 20 years. The 2024 defense bill allowed an FSA raise to $400, but the Department of Defense chose not to adjust the rate.
Family Separation Allowance Increase in 2026
The 2026 NDAA required the higher $300 amount for qualifying service members who separate from dependents for more than 30 days due to military orders.
The military provides the Family Separation Allowance to offset costs created when a household operates in two locations. During a permanent change of station move, deployments, or other relocations, military families may pay more for childcare, home maintenance, and communication.
The stipend covers these expenses under qualifying circumstances, and the FSA is not subject to federal income tax.
Service members must meet criteria in the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation to qualify. The member must have legal dependents who are registered in DEERS.
The separation must result from military orders under qualifying circumstances. Members do not qualify if they choose an unaccompanied tour when the government offers family travel. The separation must last more than 30 days. If both spouses served and lived together before the separation, both receive the allowance.
Three Family Separation Allowance Options
The Department of Defense has three FSA categories. FSA-Restricted applies when a member moves to a duty station where the government forbids dependent travel. FSA-Ship applies when a member stays on a ship away from the homeport for more than 30 days.
FSA-Temporary applies when a member performs duty away from their station for more than 30 days while dependents stay at home.
The Family Separation Allowance stayed at $250 per month for 22 years before this increase. Congress set the rate at $100 and raised it to $250 in 2003. The 2026 law removes official discretion regarding FSA rate increases, requiring the Department of Defense to review FSA payment rates every four years.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
