Family Separation Allowance (FSA)

Start Here If You Are New to FSA

Family Separation Allowance compensates Marines who are involuntarily separated from their dependents for 30 or more continuous days. The flat rate is $300 per month effective 18 December 2025 (increased from $250 per MARADMIN 150/26MARADMIN 150/26 and the FY 2026 NDAA). Three types apply depending on the separation circumstance. FSA-R for unaccompanied tours, FSA-S for ship-based duty, and FSA-T for TDY or TAD. Marines must have dependents (or be married to another Service Member). DD Form 1561DD Form 1561 substantiates the entitlement. Non-taxable when in a CZ under CZTE rules. MCTFS auto-updated all eligible records to the new rate. No action required from individual Marines.

This page walks you through FSA from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• The $300 per month rate effective 18 December 2025 (was $250 from October 2002 to 17 December 2025)
• The three types (FSA-R, FSA-S, FSA-T)
• The 30-continuous-day threshold
• Who qualifies as a dependent for FSA purposes
• DD Form 1561DD Form 1561 substantiation
• The single-FSA-at-a-time rule (cannot stack multiple types)
• Marine married to Marine entitlement

Every fact on this page comes from MARADMIN 150/26MARADMIN 150/26 (1 April 2026), Public Law 119-60 (NDAA FY 2026, 18 December 2025), the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War FSA Rates Memorandum (23 December 2025), DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 27 (October 2025), Title 37 U.S.C. section 427Title 37 U.S.C. section 427, and DoDI 1340.26DoDI 1340.26.

What FSA Is

Per Chapter 27 paragraph 1.1, FSA is the allowance that compensates Marines for the additional expenses incurred when involuntary military separation from dependents prevents the Marine from residing with the dependents.

Per paragraph 2.1, FSA is payable to Marines with dependents and to a Marine married to another Service Member regardless of any other dependency status.

FSA Eligibility Categories

Per Chapter 27 paragraph 2.3.1, FSA has three distinct types.

FSA-R (Restricted)

Per paragraph 2.3.1.1, FSA-R applies when.

• The Marine's dependents do not live in the vicinity of the homeport or PDS, AND transportation to or near the PDS is not authorized at government expense (typically restricted unaccompanied tours OCONUS), OR
• Transportation is authorized at government expense, but the Marine elects an unaccompanied tour because a dependent cannot accompany the Marine due to certified medical reasons.

Examples include.

• Marine on unaccompanied OCONUS tour to a designated restricted area.
• Marine on unaccompanied tour due to dependent's certified medical condition preventing the move.

FSA-S (Ship)

Per paragraph 2.3.1.2, FSA-S applies when the Marine is on duty aboard a ship AND.

• The ship is away from the homeport continuously for more than 30 days, OR
• The Marine is under orders to remain on board a ship while at homeport for a continuous period of more than 30 days.

Examples include.

• Marine on a MEU CE deployed aboard a Navy ship for 30+ days.
• Marine assigned to a Marine Detachment aboard a forward-deployed naval vessel.

The dependents are NOT required to reside in the vicinity of the homeport for FSA-S to apply. The ship-based separation alone qualifies.

FSA-T (Temporary)

Per paragraph 2.3.1.3, FSA-T applies when the Marine is on TDY or TAD away from the PDS or homeport for more than 30 continuous days AND the dependents do not reside at or near the TDY or TAD station.

Examples include.

• Marine attending a 6-month school OCONUS without family.
• Marine on a 90-day exercise away from PDS.
• Marine on TAD to a deployed unit for over 30 days.

Single FSA at a Time

Per paragraph 2.1, the Marine cannot receive more than one payment of FSA for the same period, even if qualified for multiple types simultaneously. The Service determines which FSA type applies based on the primary separation circumstance.

Amount

Per MARADMIN 150/26MARADMIN 150/26 and Public Law 119-60 (NDAA FY 2026), effective 18 December 2025, FSA is payable in a monthly amount of $300. This represents a $50 increase from the prior $250 rate that had been in effect since October 1, 2002.

The flat rate applies regardless of pay grade, marital status (single parent or married), or the number of dependents. A Marine with one dependent and a Marine with five dependents both receive the same $300 per month.

Rate History

• 1 October 2002 through 17 December 2025. $250 per month.
• 18 December 2025 forward. $300 per month.

MCTFS Automatic Update

Per MARADMIN 150/26MARADMIN 150/26 paragraph 3.c, the Marine Corps Total Force System auto-updated all records for Marines entitled to FSA on or after 18 December 2025. No action is required from individual Marines. Disbursing and finance offices ensure proper entitlement and payment of the new rate for all periods of eligibility on or after 18 December 2025.

Definition of "Dependents" for FSA

Per Chapter 27 paragraph 2.2.1, dependents for FSA purposes include.

Spouse

A spouse is an individual legally married to the Marine.

Child

A dependent child is an unmarried child in the legal custody of the Marine. Legal custody includes joint physical and legal custody where the child physically resides with the Marine on an equal basis (no less than 14 days during a month) compared to the time the child resides with the former spouse, biological mother, or other legal guardian.

Parent

A dependent parent per the Volume 7A definitions framework.

Ward

A dependent ward (legal guardianship) per the Volume 7A definitions.

Marine Married to Marine

Per Chapter 27 paragraph 2.1, a Marine married to another Service Member receives FSA regardless of any other dependency status.

When both members are Marines and one deploys, the deploying Marine receives FSA. If both deploy at the same time and are separated from each other, both may receive FSA depending on the specific circumstances and the chapter's joint-spouse rules.

DD Form 1561

Per Chapter 27 paragraph 2.1, Marines must complete DD Form 1561DD Form 1561 (Statement to Substantiate Payment of Family Separation Allowance) to substantiate entitlement to FSA.

The form is submitted through the unit S-1 with the deployment or separation orders. The S-1 verifies the dependent status, the separation duration, and the FSA type, then routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Commencement Dates

Per Chapter 27 Table 27-1, FSA commencement varies by FSA type and circumstance.

FSA-R Commencement

For Marines on unaccompanied PCS, FSA-R commences on the day after the dependent's authorized departure from the old PDS, OR the day the Marine reports to the new PDS, whichever is later.

FSA-S Commencement

For Marines on a deployed ship, FSA-S commences on the 31st day of continuous separation from the homeport.

FSA-T Commencement

For Marines on TDY or TAD over 30 days, FSA-T commences on the 31st day of continuous separation from the PDS.

CZTE Interaction

Per Chapter 44 paragraph 2.2.1, FSA is non-taxable for enlisted and warrant officers when received during a month of active service in a Combat Zone or Qualified Hazardous Duty Area. The full $300 FSA is excluded from taxable wages.

For commissioned officers, the CZTE caps the total non-taxable amount at the senior enlisted basic pay rate plus HFP/IDP for the month. FSA may be partially taxable for officers if the CZTE cap is exceeded.

The Combat Zone Tax Exclusion page on this site covers the framework.

Concurrent with Other Pays

FSA is payable in addition to all other pays and allowances. Common Marine combinations include.

• FSA plus HFP/IDP during deployment.
• FSA plus HDA after the 191-day or 401/730-day thresholds.
• FSA plus AvIP for combat aviator pilots.
• FSA plus per diem during TDY or TAD.

Termination of FSA

FSA terminates on the earliest of these dates.

• The dependent joins the Marine at the homeport, PDS, or TDY/TAD station.
• The Marine returns to the dependent's location.
• The deployment, ship-based duty, or TDY/TAD ends.
• The dependent ceases to qualify as a dependent (death, divorce, child reaches majority and is no longer dependent).

Verifying FSA on the LES

A monthly LES check during the separation confirms FSA entries are correct.

Step 1. Pull Your LES

Through MyPay each payday during the separation period.

Step 2. Verify the FSA Line

The LES shows FSA as a line item under Entitlements. Common abbreviations.

• FSA. Family Separation Allowance ($300.00 monthly effective 18 December 2025, or $250.00 monthly for periods before that date).
• FSA-R, FSA-S, or FSA-T. The specific type may show on some LES formats.

Step 3. Verify the Start Date

For FSA-S and FSA-T, FSA commences on the 31st day of continuous separation. Verify the LES start date matches the 31-day threshold.

Step 4. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your S-1. Submit or update DD Form 1561DD Form 1561 if needed. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I deployed for a 7-month MEU. When does FSA-S start?

Per Chapter 27 paragraph 2.3.1.2, FSA-S starts on the 31st day of continuous separation from the homeport. For a 7-month MEU departing your homeport on day 1, FSA-S begins on day 31 and continues through return.

I am on a 45-day TAD to MCAGCC Twentynine Palms (CONUS). Do I get FSA-T?

Per Chapter 27 paragraph 2.3.1.3, yes if your dependents do not reside at or near MCAGCC Twentynine Palms AND you cannot daily commute. The TAD is over 30 continuous days, qualifying you for FSA-T. The single-FSA rule applies, so verify FSA-S is not also active (e.g., from a prior ship-based deployment in the same period).

I am single with no dependents. Do I get FSA on my deployment?

No. Per Chapter 27 paragraph 2.1, FSA requires either dependents or being married to another Service Member. Single Marines without dependents do not receive FSA.

I am dual-military with my Marine spouse. We deploy at different times. Who gets FSA?

The deploying Marine receives FSA per the standard framework. Marines married to Marines receive FSA regardless of other dependency status. If both deploy simultaneously and are separated, the chapter's joint-spouse rules determine eligibility.

My family lives 5 miles from my PDS. I am on a 45-day TAD to a school 200 miles away. Do I get FSA-T?

Per Chapter 27 paragraph 2.3.1.3 and the commute rule, FSA-T applies if you cannot reasonably commute daily to your dependents during TAD. A 200-mile distance prevents daily commuting, so FSA-T applies for the TAD over 30 days.

Is FSA taxable?

For enlisted and warrant officers, FSA is tax-free under CZTE for any month of CZ service. For non-CZ separations, FSA is taxable income. For commissioned officers, the CZTE cap applies. Verify with the Federal Tax Withholding and Combat Zone Tax Exclusion pages.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• FSA eligibility verification for a specific separation. Coordinate with your S-1 against the deployment orders.
• DD Form 1561DD Form 1561 submission or update. Your S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• LES corrections for FSA entries. Your S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Pay and Entitlements landing page lists all the pay topics.
• Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay covers HFP/IDP for combat zone service.
• Combat Zone Tax Exclusion covers the tax-free treatment.
• Pay Problems and Fixes covers the LES error recovery flow.

Related Roles

• Leaders track Marines' FSA eligibility during deployments and TAD over 30 days.
• Admin at S-1 processes DD Form 1561DD Form 1561 and FSA starts/stops through the reporting unit.
• Commanders endorse separation orders that drive FSA eligibility.

FSA recognizes the cost of involuntary separation from dependents. The $300 monthly flat rate (effective 18 December 2025 per MARADMIN 150/26MARADMIN 150/26 and the FY 2026 NDAA, increased from the prior $250 rate that ran from October 2002 through 17 December 2025) covers all three types (FSA-R, FSA-S, FSA-T). The 30-continuous-day threshold is the universal trigger. DD Form 1561DD Form 1561 substantiates the entitlement. Non-taxable for enlisted and warrant officers under CZTE during combat zone service. MCTFS auto-updated all eligible records. No action required from individual Marines.