ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE ROUTINE R 041255Z MAY 01 ZYB MIN PSN 636683J32 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// TO NAVADMIN UNCLAS //N07220// NAVADMIN 107/01 MSGID/GENADMIN/N1// SUBJ/FAMILY SUBSISTENCE SUPPLEMENTAL ALLOWANCE (FSSA) EFFECTIVE /1 MAY 01// REF/A/DOC/TITLE 37 US CODE SECTION 402A/30OCT2000// AMPN/REF A IS THE SECTION OF LAW THAT AUTHORIZES FSSA// RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN ANNOUNCES IMPLEMENTATION OF FAMILY SUBSISTENCE SUPPLEMENTAL ALLOWANCE (FSSA) EFFECTIVE 1 MAY 01 IAW REF A. FSSA IS A VOLUNTARY, NON-TAXABLE MONTHLY SUPPLEMENTAL ALLOWANCE DESIGNED TO BRING A MEMBER'S HOUSEHOLD INCOME TO 130 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE, THEREBY REMOVING A MEMBER'S ELIGIBILTY FOR FOOD STAMPS. FSSA MAY NOT EXCEED $500 PER MONTH. ELIGIBILITY IS BASED ON A MEMBER'S MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND SIZE. ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS STATIONED IN CONUS AND OVERSEAS MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE FSSA PROGRAM. THE MEMBER DOES NOT HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR FSSA. 2. FSSA IS CALCULATED BY TAKING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE SERVICE MEMBER'S HOUSEHOLD MONTHLY INCOME (TO INCLUDE ALL INCOME FROM OTHERS IN THE HOUSEHOLD) AND COMPARING IT BASED ON HOUSEHOLD SIZE TO THE USDA FOOD STAMP GROSS INCOME LIMIT TABLES. MEMBER MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF INCOME AND HOUSEHOLD SIZE. 3. APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON LINE AT PERSNET WEBSITE HTTP:/WWW.PERSNET.NAVY.MIL/PERS33/WHATSNEW.HTML OR DOD WEBSITE HTTP:/WWW.DMDC.OSD.MIL/FSSA. THE PERSNET WEBSITE INCLUDES DETAILED STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS AND EXAMPLES OF CALCULATIONS AND IS THE RECOMMENDED SITE. THE REMAINDER OF THIS NAVADMIN ADDRESSES THE APPLICATION/CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR THOSE COMMANDS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS EITHER SITE AND IS DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS: A. RELATIONSHIP OF FSSA AND THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM B. DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD C. DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME D. FSSA COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES E. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL F. APPLICATION PROCEDURES G. CALCULATING FSSA H. CERTIFICATION I. REPORTING 4. RELATIONSHIP OF FSSA AND THE FOODSTAMP PROGRAM A. MEMBERS NOT RECEIVING AND/OR NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMPS MAY STILL QUALIFY FOR FSSA. CONVERSELY, IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE RECEIVING FOOD STAMPS AND NOT QUALIFY FOR FSSA. IF A MEMBER IS RECEIVING FOOD STAMPS AND IS CERTIFIED FOR SOME AMOUNT OF FSSA, THE MEMBER IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE LARGER OF THE TWO AMOUNTS. EXAMPLE 1, A MEMBER HAS A MONTHLY FOOD STAMP ENTITLEMENT OF $300/MONTH. HE/SHE APPLIES FOR FSSA AND QUALIFIES AT $150/MONTH. THE MEMBER WOULD RECEIVE FSSA IN THE HIGHER AMOUNT OF $300/MONTH. EXAMPLE 2, A MEMBER RECEIVES $300/MONTH IN FOOD STAMPS, BUT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY FSSA. THE MEMBER IS NOT ENTITLED TO FSSA. FSSA MUST BE GREATER THAN ZERO TO BE ENTITLED TO FSSA AT THE FOOD STAMP AMOUNT. B. FSSA INCOME MAY JEOPARDIZE A HOUSEHOLD'S PARTICIPATION IN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS BASED ON INCOME (I.E., SUBSIDIZED SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS; THE WOMEN, INFANT AND CHILDREN (WIC) PROGRAM; SUBSIDIZED DAY CARE PROGRAMS; EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC)). MEMBERS SHOULD CONSIDER TOTAL BENEFITS FROM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS BEFORE APPLYING FOR FSSA. C. IF A MEMBER PARTICIPATES IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM, FSSA INCOME MUST BE REPORTED TO THE FOOD STAMP OFFICE. RECEIPT OF FSSA MAY ALSO REDUCE/REMOVE ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD STAMP BENEFITS. 5. DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD IAW THE FOOD STAMP ACT OF 1977 IS: A. AN INDIVIDUAL WHO LIVES ALONE OR WHO, WHILE LIVING WITH OTHERS, CUSTOMARILY PURCHASES FOOD AND PREPARES MEALS FOR HOME CONSUMPTION SEPARATE AND APART FROM OTHERS, OR B. A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE TOGETHER AND CUSTOMARILY PURCHASE FOOD AND PREPARE MEALS TOGETHER FOR HOME CONSUMPTION. SPOUSES WHO LIVE TOGETHER, PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN 21 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER WHO LIVE TOGETHER, AND CHILDREN (EXCLUDING FOSTER CHILDREN) UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE WHO LIVE WITH AND ARE UNDER THE PARENTAL CONTROL OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THEIR PARENT, TOGETHER WITH THE PERSON EXERCISING PARENTAL CONTROL, SHALL BE TREATED AS A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CUSTOMARILY PURCHASE FOOD AND PREPARE MEALS TOGETHER FOR HOME CONSUMPTION EVEN IF THEY DO NOT DO SO. C. A MEMBER'S HOUSEHOLD DOES NOT REQUIRE THE INCLUSION OF DEPENDENTS TO BE ELIGBIBLE FOR FSSA UNLESS THE HOUSEHOLD BEING CLAIMED FOR FSSA IS SEPARATE FROM THE MEMBER (I.E., DEPENDENT RESTRICTED/UNACCOMPANIED TOURS). 6. DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME INCLUDES THE TOTAL GROSS INCOME RECEIVED BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD, WHICH INCLUDES BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN SOURCES OF INCOME. A. THE FOLLOWING SOURCES OF INCOME ARE INCLUDED IN CALCULATING GROSS INCOME FOR FSSA PURPOSES: MILITARY INCOME (BASIC PAY, BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR SUBSISTENCE (BAS), BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH) OR VALUE OF; OVERSEAS HOUSING ALLOWANCE (OHA) OR VALUE OF; AND ALL BONUSES, SPECIAL AND INCENTIVE PAYS EXCEPT AS NOTED BELOW), WAGES, EARNINGS, SALARIES, COMMISSIONS, TIPS, SELF EMPLOYMENT (MINUS COST OF PRODUCING THIS INCOME), SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI), TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF), INTEREST OR DIVIDEND INCOME, ALIMONY, CHILD SUPPORT, ANNUITIES, VETERAN'S BENEFITS, UNEMPLOYMENT OR WORKER'S COMPENSATION, PENSIONS AND OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS, OR ANY OTHER DIRECT PAYMENTS FROM ANY SOURCE, UNLESS EXCLUDED BELOW. B. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT TO BE INCLUDED AS HOUSEHOLD INCOME: MILITARY CONUS/OCONUS COLA (COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE), FSH (FAMILY SEPARATION HOUSING ALLOWANCE), ALL TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION RELATED ALLOWANCES AND ENTITLEMENTS, AND CLOTHING ALLOWANCES; EARNED INCOME OF A STUDENT ATTENDING AN ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL WHO IS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD; LOANS; GRANTS; INCOME TAX REFUNDS; SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS; INSURANCE SETTLEMENTS; PAYMENTS FROM FEDERAL EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS; FEDERAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS (EXCEPT THOSE MADE UNDER TANF); HUD UTILITY REIMBURSEMENTS; REIMBURSEMENTS FOR EXPENSES SUCH AS MEDICAL OR DEPENDENT CARE (PROVIDING THEY DO NOT EXCEED ACTUAL EXPENSES); OR THE VALUE OF FOOD STAMPS. C. SPORADIC OR SEASONAL INCOME WILL BE COUNTED ONLY DURING THE MONTH OR MONTHS IN WHICH RECEIVED. IF SPORADIC OR SEASONAL INCOME CAUSES A MEMBER'S HOUSEHOLD INCOME TO INCREASE BY $100 OR MORE PER MONTH, THE MEMBER MUST REPORT THIS TO A CERTIFYING OFFICIAL AND BE RE-CERTIFIED. D. ANY HOUSEHOLD INCOME RECEIVED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY MUST BE CONVERTED TO US DOLLARS USING THE PREVAILING RATE OF EXCHANGE. 7. FSSA COORDINATOR A. COMMANDING OFFICER SHOULD DESIGNATE A COMMAND FSSA COORDINATOR. THE COORDINATOR WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS, RECORD KEEPING, VERIFYING CALCULATIONS, AND ENSURING THE APPLICATIONS ARE CERTIFIED IN AN ACCURATE AND TIMELY MANNER. POSITIONS SUCH AS COMMAND FINANCIAL SPECIALIST (CFS) COORDINATOR, ADMIN OFFICER, OR LEGAL OFFICER MAY BE AN OPTIMAL POSITION FOR THE ADDITIONAL TASKING OF FSSA COORDINATOR. B. THE FSSA COORDINATOR IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING A COPY OF THE CERTIFIED APPLICATION AND DOCUMENTATION FOR RE-CERTIFICATION UPON PROMOTION, ANNUALLY, OR CHANGES IN INCOME OR HOUSEHOLD SIZE AS REPORTED BY THE MEMBER. 8. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL OR DESIGNEE A. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL IS THE COMMANDING OFFICER UNLESS HE/SHE DELEGATES THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO SOMEONE ELSE IN THE CHAIN OF COMMAND WHO HAS BY DIRECTION AUTHORITY. B. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL WILL VERIFY CALCULATION OF FSSA TO ENSURE ALL REQUIRED MILITARY PAY AND ALLOWANCES WERE INCLUDED. C. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL WILL ALSO ENSURE THE MEMBER IS COUNSELED IN WRITING ON THE FOLLOWING: (1) FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION ACCURATELY AND COMPLETELY. (2) PARTICIPATION IN OTHER STATE/FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (SUBSIDIZED SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, WIC, ETIC, ETC) MAY BE AFFECTED BY RECEIPT OF FSSA. (3) MEMBER SHOULD NOTIFY THOSE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE FSSA INCOME. EACH OF THOSE PROGRAMS HAS PENALTIES FOR NOT REPORTING CHANGES TO INCOME. THE MEMBER MAY BE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION FOR FAILING TO REPORT THE INCOME. (4) FALSE STATEMENTS ON THE APPLICATION (I.E., FAILURE TO REPORT ALL INCOME, NUMBER OF PERSONNEL IN THE HOUSEHOLD, ETC) MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION IAW THE UCMJ. (5) ANY CHANGES TO INCOME ($100 OR MORE) OR HOUSEHOLD SIZE MUST BE REPORTED TO THE FSSA COORDINATOR FOR RE-CERTIFICATION. (6) MEMBER IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR OVERPAYMENTS. D. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL REVIEWS THE APPLICATION FOR ACCURACY AND CERTIFIES IT FOR PAYMENT TO DFAS. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL ENSURES A MESSAGE AUTHORIZING THE MEMBER'S PAYMENT OF FSSA IS TRANSMITTED TO DFAS (SEE PARAGRAPH 12 BELOW FOR REPORTING). 9. APPLICATION PROCEDURES. AS STATED ABOVE, IF WEBSITE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO APPLY AND CERTIFY FOR FSSA. IN ALL CASES THE MEMBER MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THE HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND INCOME (I.E., SSN CARDS, LES, PAGE 2 DEERS VERIFICATION, LEASE/RENTAL AGREEMENTS, EARNINGS STATEMENTS, PAY STUBS, BANK STATEMENTS, ETC). A. NAME OF SERVICE MEMBER: LAST, FIRST, MI B. MEMBER'S SSN C. DUTY AND HOME PHONE, COMMAND ZIP CODE AND COMPLETE HOME ADDRESS D. NUMBER OF QUALIFIED PERSONS IN THE HOUSEHOLD (1) FULL NAME, AGE, SSN, EMPLOYER (IF APPLICABLE), AND MONTHLY INCOME OF EACH MEMBER IN THE HOUSEHOLD. E. GROSS MONTHLY MILITARY INCOME PRIOR TO TAXES OR DEDUCTIONS AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH SIX ABOVE. (NOTE: THE VALUE OF BAH/OHA FOR THE AREA ARE INCLUDED IN THE INCOME CALCULATION EVEN IF THE MEMBER RESIDES IN GOVERNMENT HOUSING IAW REF A. BAS OR VALUE OF BAS AT THE SEPRATS RATE IS ALSO INCLUDED EVEN IF THE MEMBER IS ON PARTIAL BAS). F. OTHER GROSS MONTHLY INCOME PRIOR TO TAXES OR DEDUCTIONS FOR ALL MEMBERS (INCLUDING APPLICANT'S SECONDARY INCOME IF APPLICABLE) IN HOUSEHOLD AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH SIX ABOVE. G. MONTHLY FOOD STAMP ENTITLEMENT IF APPLICABLE. 10. FSSA CALCULATION A. ADD ALL GROSS MONTHLY INCOME (MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY) TOGETHER FOR A TOTAL GROSS. ROUND THE INCOME UP TO THE NEXT WHOLE DOLLAR. IF GROSS INCOME IS $2142.22, THE AMOUNT IS ROUNDED TO $2143. B. COMPARE HOUSEHOLD'S GROSS MONTHLY INCOME WITH THE USDA GROSS MONTHLY INCOME LIMIT TABLE AVAILABLE THROUGH EITHER APPLICATION WEBSITE DISCUSSED ABOVE OR AT HTTP:/WWW.FNS.USDA.GOV. THREE USDA GROSS INCOME LIMITS EXISTS DEPENDING ON LOCATION: 48 STATES, HAWAII, OR ALASKA. IF THE MEMBER IS IN A LOCATION OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED, UTILIZE THE 48 STATES FIGURES. THE FOLLOWING IS THE USDA GROSS INCOME LIMIT TABLE EFFECTIVE 1 OCT 00 THROUGH 30 SEP 01 (AMOUNTS ARE RE-CALCULATED ANNUALLY): HOUSEHOLD SIZE 48 STATES ALASKA HAWAII 1 $ 905.00 $1130.00 $1039.00 2 1219.00 1524.00 1401.00 3 1533.00 1917.00 1763.00 4 1848.00 2310.00 2125.00 5 2162.00 2703.00 2487.00 6 2476.00 3097.00 2849.00 7 2790.00 3490.00 3210.00 8 3104.00 3883.00 3572.00 EACH ADDITIONAL MBR 315.00 394.00 362.00 C. IF THE MEMBER'S HOUSEHOLD MONTHLY GROSS INCOME IS LESS THAN THE AMOUNT SET IN THE USDA GROSS INCOME LIMITS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONNEL IN THE HOUSEHOLD (INCLUDING THE SERVICE MEMBER), THE MEMBER WILL BE ENTITLED TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GROSS INCOME LIMIT AND MEMBER'S HOUSEHOLD INCOME. EXAMPLE: A MEMBER IS STATIONED IN SAN DIEGO, CA. THE MEMBER'S GROSS INCOME IS $2050.00 AND HAS A HOUSEHOLD SIZE OF FIVE. THE USDA GROSS INCOME LIMIT FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE IN THE 48 STATES IS $2162.00. SUBTRACT THE MEMBER'S GROSS FROM THE USDA LIMIT ($2162 - $2050 = $112). THE MEMBER IS ENTITLED TO $112 IN FSSA, UNLESS HE/SHE IS PARTICIPATING IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM AND RECEIVES FOOD STAMPS HIGHER THAN $112/MONTH. HE/SHE IS THEN ENTITLED TO THE HIGHER AMOUNT. 11. CERTIFICATION. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE APPLICATION, IT MUST BE CERTIFIED. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL VERIFIES INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE APPLICATION, ACCURACY IN CALCULATIONS, AND ENSURE FSSA ENTITLEMENT IS SUBMITTED VIA MESSAGE TO DFAS FOR PAYMENT (SEE PARAGRAPH 12). CERTIFYING OFFICIAL ALSO ENSURES THE MEMBER IS COUNSELED IN WRITING IAW PARAGRAPH EIGHT ABOVE. RECERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED AT A MINIMUM (1) ANNUALLY DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, (2) UPON PROMOTION TO NEXT PAYGRADE, (3) UPON REPORTING PCS, AND (4) INCREASES/DECREASES TO HOUSEHOLD INCOME (INCREASES OF $100 OR MORE) OR HOUSEHOLD SIZE. RE-CERTIFICATION MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 30 DAYS (BEFORE OR AFTER) OF THE EVENT. 12. REPORTING/CANCELING. THE COMMAND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSMITTING A MESSAGE TO DFAS CLEVELAND TO ENSURE MEMBER'S FSSA PAYMENT. A SAMPLE MESSAGE IS AVAILABLE ON THE PERSNET WEBSITE IN THE GUIDE. A. ADDRESS MESSAGE TO: DFAS CLEVELAND OH/PMMAA/ AND INFO: CNO WASHINGTON DC/N130/. B. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE MESSAGE: MEMBER'S FULL NAME, RANK, SSN, UIC, AMOUNT OF MONTHLY ENTITLEMENT, NUMBER OF PERSONNEL IN THE HOUSEHOLD, START DATE, AND COMMAND POINT OF CONTACT AND DUTY PHONE. C. ANY CHANGES IN FSSA ENTITLEMENT WILL REQUIRE A MESSAGE TO DFAS TO STOP/CHANGE PAYMENT TO INCLUDE PCS, PROMOTION, CHANGES IN INCOME OR HOUSEHOLD SIZE, AND ANNUAL RE-CERTIFICATION. 13. THE STEP BY STEP GUIDE PUBLISHED ON THE PERSNET WEBSITE PROVIDES DETAILED INSTRUCTION AND EXAMPLES FOR VARIOUS SCENARIOS UNIQUE TO RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS. 14. POC IS LT STORMI LOONEY, N130C1, AT (703) 695-3005/DSN 225. E-MAIL AT N130C1@BUPERS.NAVY.MIL. 15. RELEASED BY MATTHEW G. HENRY, N1(ACTING).// BT