(785) 239-9435

The center is designed to help prepare families for separation from their Soldiers. We provide a variety of training for family members, Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leaders, Rear Detachment Commanders, as well as, specialized training for military units.

FAQs: 
What if the deployed Service Member has an emergency?
If your Service Member develops a serious problem while deployed, i.e. sickness, injury, etc., the Company Commander or Rear Detachment Commander, a commander's representative, a member of the Family Readiness Group, and/or the Battalion Chaplain will contact you. If someone else calls you to report an injury to your spouse, call the Company/Rear Detachment Commander immediately to verify it!!!

What if you have an emergency?
If you develop a serious problem while your Service Member is deployed, contact one of the following immediately: the Company or Rear Detachment Commander, the Chaplain or On-call Chaplain, or the American Red Cross.

Where do I go for help?
The following agencies may be helpful in the event of an emergency or a problem during a deployment. Army Community Service, Army Emergency Relief, American Red Cross, Chaplain Support, Family Readiness Center, Family Life Center, Legal Assistance and/or Social Work Service.

I was approved for 2 weeks leave during Christmas, but I did not take the time. I was charged for the leave, but showed up for duty every day. What can I do to get my leave time back?
Obtain a memorandum signed by the company/battery commander stating that no leave was taken during that period of time. Attach a copy of the original leave form and submit it to the PAC. With these documents, Finance will credit those days erroneously charged.

I am missing some of my Leave and Earnings statements. How can I obtain copies of those missing?
See your unit Personnel Administration Center. The unit Personnel Administration Center staff will fill out a DA Form 2142 (Pay Inquiry Form) for the missing Leave and Earnings statements.

What if I have not received my W-2 form?
If after redeploying, you have not received your W-2 you will need to contact your Personnel Administration Center.

Can I call the Defense Finance and Accounting Services to inquire about my Savings Deposit Account?
Telephone inquiries concerning your accounts may be made to the center. The stateside number is 216-522-6545. A toll-free number for stateside based soldiers is 1-800-624-7368. The DSN number is 580-6545. FAX: 216-522-6924/DSN 580-6924.

How do I go about receiving my money from the Savings Deposit Program?
For Active Duty Soldiers: Soldiers on active duty must submit a written request to their Finance Office which will, in turn, send the written request to Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Include name, social security number, branch of service, redeployment date, amount requested, and when the payment is desired. The payment will be sent to the Soldier's financial institution, include the account number, type of account (checking or savings), and the routing number on voided check/deposit slip. Also, indicate the reason for the request (i.e., to close out the account because the 90-day period is over, or to close the account because you no longer wish to participate in the program). For Separated Soldiers: Separated and Reserve Component Soldier's no longer on active duty must sign a written request for payment with the following information: name, social security number, branch of service, delivery information, separation date, and date of departure from the designated area. Mail to: DFAS-CL, Attn: Code FMCS, 1240 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44199-2055.

When does my eligibility for the savings deposit program stop?
This is a program where eligible Service Members may deposit funds (up to their non-allotted take home pay, maximum amount is $10,000) into an account and earn 10% interest annually (compounded quarterly at 2.5%). Eligibility for this program stops on the day of departure from your deployed location. Interest stops accruing 90 days after redeployment. Allotments or deposits by cash collection voucher can only be started/deposited when "In-Country."

Will my Spouse be able to start, stop, or change allotments while I am deployed; and how long will it take?
Yes. A Finance Detachment is deployed and will have the same capabilities as other Finance offices. It is recommended that any changes to a Soldier's account be initiated prior to deployment to minimize distractions from unit missions. Processing time for pay changes is normally 72 hours, the same as home station.

My Spouse is returning from deployment, let's say in March, with the advanced party. When does the hazardous duty pay end and when will the Per Diem end?
Hazardous duty pay ends on the day of departure from a designated area; however, it is paid for the entire month. Per Diem ends the day of return to the home station. Example: Soldier arrives at home station on 15 March. The Per Diem will stop on 15 March.

How long after my Spouse leaves duty from that area will it take for the Hazardous Pay to show up on the Leave and Earnings statement?
Hazardous duty pay begins the day of arrival at deployed location. Soldiers deployed in some areas are not entitled to hazardous duty pay; so check with your Finance office for your status. Talk to Finance to get a perspective of when it will show up on the Leave and Earnings statement.

Do I have to take out an allotment to participate in the 10% Savings Plan?
Although you may use the allotment options to participate, you do have other options. Eligible Service Members may deposit funds at the finance office in their overseas location by submitting a cash collection voucher with payment in either cash or personal check.

What deployment entitlements do we receive while we are deployed?
Hardship Duty Pay – Location (HDPL) All enlisted Service Members deployed are entitled to HDPL. This entitlement begins the day of arrival at one of these locations and stops the day of departure. HDPL is payable on a daily basis. Basic Allowance for Subsistence (Separate rations) - This entitlement is authorized for all Service Members, regardless of whether or not you were entitled to it before deployment. Hostile Fire Pay - All Service Members deployed to specified locations (check with finance) are entitled to HFP. This entitlement begins the day of arrival and ends on the day of departure. This entitlement is payable for the entire month. Note: Effective May 31, 1999, the following areas are authorized CZTE and Hostile Fire pay: Taszar Hungary; Souda Bay and Athens Greece; all military installations and facilities in Italy. Per Diem - All Service Members are entitled to Per Diem while TDY. This entitlement begins the day of departure from the home station and stops the day of return to the home station. For most Soldiers, per Diem is payable. Monthly-accrued payments are made on the Leave and Earnings statement. The remaining amount, plus any missed Per Diem will be paid on the final travel voucher. Family Separation Allowance (FSA) - All Service Members who have Family Members, who are forced to be separated from them for more than 30 days, are entitled to FSA. This entitlement begins on the day of departure from their home station and ends the day before arrival back to the home station. Combat Zone Tax Exclusion - All enlisted pay is exempt from federal income taxes, amount will vary with each Service Members own situation. Warrant Officer and officer pay is exempt from federal tax up to a specified amount. This entitlement begins the day of arrival into the designated area and ends on the day of departure.

If my sponsor served in a combat zone or a qualified hazardous duty area, will the taxable pay affect our tax return?
Yes. Your taxable income for the year will be greatly reduced.

If I am serving in a combat zone, will I have additional time to file my income tax return?
Yes. The deadline for filing your return is extended for at least 180 days after the last day you were in the combat zone. Contact the Legal Assistance Office if you are not sure if the area you served in qualifies. Although many states follow the federal extension, you will need to check further to determine if your state has different extension rules.