Overview of Non-Support
The Inspectors General role in resolving cases relating to the non-support of dependents is sometimes misunderstood by members of the chain of command and Family members requesting assistance. Resolution of cases involving nonsupport and indebtedness is a command responsibility. Inspectors General process requests for assistance in matters of nonsupport as follows.
- A family member contacts the Inspector General and requests assistance.
- The Inspector General confirms that the Family member has attempted to contact the sponsor's commander.
- If the Family member has not contacted the commander, the Inspector General will provide the commander's address and phone number. The Inspector General may also assist the Family member in drafting a memorandum to the commander, or direct them to legal assistance, which will also assist in drafting a memorandum.
- If the spouse has contacted the commander and has not received a response (14 days after receipt), or the response is not in accordance with Army Regulation (AR) 608-99, the appropriate Inspector General Office will open an Inspector General Action Request. A commander's inquiry will be requested to determine why the requirements of AR 608-99 have not been met.
While conducting any inquiries regarding non-support issues, commanders are reminded that paragraphs 2-5 and 2-11 are punitive.
Interim Family Support Guidelines
AR 608-99 continues to establish interim Family support guidelines when there is neither an agreement between the parties nor a court order for support. Department of the Army Message, Subject: Interim Family Support Guidelines, dated 131228Z Jan 98, establishes how to calculate the interim support requirement. Basic Allowance for Housing II and the most current BAH II rates can be found at http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Finance related issues in general can be found on the DFAS web page at http://www.dod.mil/dfas.
Commander's Guide in Handling Cases of Non-Support
The purpose is to assist the commander in completing a commander's inquiry into an Inspector General allegation of non-support violation. This guide is a recommended procedure extracted from AR 608-99, Family Support, Child Custody and Paternity, dated 29 Oct 03. As per AR 608-99, commanders are responsible for thoroughly and expeditiously investigating claims of nonsupport against Soldiers in their command. Commanders can obtain a copy of AR 608-99 on the Internet.
- Contact the IG point of contact (POC) to review the requirements, suspense and any additional background information. If an extension is required, contact the action officer listed as the POC on the request for commander's inquiry. Note: Commanders failing to provide a response by the suspense date may be in violation of AR 608-99, para 3-5a. The Battalion/Squadron commander will be notified concerning company commanders who fail to provide a timely response. The Battalion/Squadron commanders must also be informed of any allegation of repeated or continuing violations of AR 608-99 as stated in para 1-4f(5). For example, a Soldier who seeks to take advantage of a PCS move or change of command to stop support payments, in order to avoid those payments until the new chain of command becomes aware of the problem, could be considered a repeat offender.
- Determine the Soldier's financial support obligation.
- Read the Soldier his/her rights and complete a DA Form 3881, Rights Warning Procedure/Wavier Certificate. [See AR 608-99, para 3-3a(1)]. If the Soldier invokes his/her Article 31 rights, all questioning of the Soldier must stop, and the Commander should contact his legal advisor for guidance on the appropriate course of action.
- Determine whether the Soldier has:
- A financial support agreement. (See AR 608-99, para 2-3)
- A court order. (See AR 608-99, para, 2-4)
- If the commander finds that there is no support agreement or support order as stated above, the support provisions of AR 608-99, para 2-6, apply.
- If the Soldier states that no financial obligation or support requirement exist, ensure all provided documents have been reviewed by SJA to relieve the Soldier from financial obligation. If the Soldier is receiving BAH at the "With Dependent" rate, you should verify what BAH rate the solider is entitled to receive.
- If it is unclear whether the Soldier has a financial obligation in accordance with AR 608-99, the commander should contact the Administrative Law Section of the SJA Office and get a legal opinion.
- If the Soldier admits that he/she has a financial obligation, determine the source of the financial support obligation and verify proof of payment. The following are valid proofs of payment.
- Money Order receipts with proof of payment or command verification of receipt of payment by the spouse/recipient.
- Verification of support payment by allotment.
- Canceled checks with recipient's endorsement on the check.
- Other monetary payment methods with command verification of receipt of payment. The command will provide details on the verification of payment when responding to the Office of the Inspector General. Note: AR 608-99, para 5-3 states that commanders will also ensure that voluntary allotment forms are promptly processed. Commanders can work through their Finance chain in order to check the status of allotments.
- Direct compliance by counseling the Soldier in writing.
- Confirm to the Soldier that a financial obligation to provide support exists.
- Determine the appropriate form and timing of financial payments in accordance with AR 608-99, para 2-7.
- Determine whether the Soldier is in compliance with the support requirements.
- Compliance. Verify that all appropriate documentation that the Soldier provides is in accordance with AR 608-99. If the Soldier is in compliance, the commander will respond back to the IG with this determination and all pertinent documentation.
- Noncompliance. For noncompliance, the provisions listed at para 3-10 (Enforcement) apply. Action should be taken to bring the Soldier into compliance with AR 608-99. If the Soldier is not in compliance, the commander will respond back to the IG with a complete summary of the Soldier's failure to comply with AR 608-99, as well as what actions will be taken to bring the Soldier into compliance.
- The Soldier should make his or her support payment a priority above all other financial obligations. The Soldier could be directed to AER for a loan if he/she does not have enough money to provide support. This is very important, as in many cases there are children involved and the spouse has no money for their basic needs. In some cases the spouse moves out of quarters and the Soldier's BAH does not start, because the Soldier has remained in quarters. This does not preclude the Soldier from providing support at the BAH "With Dependents" rate (AR 608-99, para 1-7b).
- Counsel the Soldier in writing on what his/her support obligation is under AR 608-99. Here are a few things to include as a part of the counseling:
Note: A Soldier cannot fall into arrears without violating AR 608-99. (See AR 608-99, para 2-5c for the details on arrears.)
- Inform the Soldier that he/she has a legal obligation to support his/her family members, and may seek legal assistance through the SJA office.
- Inform the Soldier that he/she has not fulfilled his/her obligation and is in violation of AR 608-99.
- Explain what corrective action is necessary to be in compliance with AR 608-99.
- Explain accepted forms and timing of payments, in accordance with AR 608-99, para 2-7.
- Give him/her an order to comply with the provisions of AR 608-99. Provide a suspense date for compliance to the Soldier and request written proof of compliance [para 3-6b(3)].
- Inform the Soldier of the actions available to the command when dealing with violations of the regulation. Listed are some actions available to the commander:
- Counseling
- Letter of Reprimand or Admonition
- Bar to Reenlistment
- Nonjudical punishment
- Court-Martial
- Administrative separation
- Verify compliance. The commander must verify that the Soldier initiates appropriate financial support. If the Soldier chooses to start an allotment, the commander is responsible for ensuring the Soldier makes interim payments until the allotment is in effect. Proof of this initial payment should be included in the response to the Office of the Inspector General. Call the IG POC to review steps two and three, evidence actions, results, and supporting documents.
- Respond to the IG's request for Commander's Inquiry:
- Provide a written response to the Office of the Inspector General. See AR 608-99, Chapter 3, for assistance in formulating the response. Also include a statement as to whether the allegation of non-support is either substantiated or not substantiated.
- Provide copies of supporting documents to show compliance or corrective action taken in accordance with the provisions of AR 608-99.
- In accordance with AR 608-99, para 3-6b(5), commanders should notify the appropriate Finance Office for BAH recoupement action against a Soldier who is drawing BAH, but is not in compliance and chooses not to pay arrearages. The Finance Office may then ensure that the appropriate BAH is returned to the government.
- Hand carry your completed inquiry to the IG office. If hand carried by a courier, ensure the packet is in a sealed envelope.
Note: All IG documents (i.e., the original request from the IG for a commander's inquiry) are to be returned to the IG Office. Do not retain any copies of IG correspondence! - Continue to monitor the support requirements of the Soldier in the future months.
Sample Counseling Forms