Claim for Family Separation Allowance

GAO was requested to give an advance decision concerning the propriety of crediting the pay account of a Marine Corps member with a type II family separation allowance. The claimant and his wife, both service members, had been residing in the vicinity of their permanent duty station until the wife was released from active duty. At the time of her release, the wife returned to her home of record, and the Government paid her travel and transportation expenses. Later, the wife relocated in another area to continue her education. The member contended that his wife should be considered his dependent and, since she was not entitled to authorized transportation at Government expense from her new location to his permanent duty station, he was entitled to a family separation allowance. However, GAO determined that the separation which occurred in this case was not the result of the member's duties. Accordingly, the family separation allowance could not be paid.