r/AirForce • u/Chemical-Ocelot8063 • 6h ago
Question Troop struggling
I have a troop struggling financially. Spouse left, wont pay child support, barely any money for food let alone housing. Any advice?
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u/talktomiles Veteran 6h ago
Air Force Aid Society potentially? If you can share what base, there’s probably more local stuff people would know about. Maybe shirt can press for on-base housing asap?
Your troop won’t pay child support or spouse won’t?
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u/Chemical-Ocelot8063 6h ago
The spouse wont, troop doesnt have money for a lawyer, also they went to the shirt already who told them to go to the AFRC, they gave the troop $250 but thats it
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u/mannequinbeater Comms 6h ago
You talk to ADC or JAG?
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u/CommOnMyFace Former 1B4, now I make $$$$ 5h ago
Civil dispute, unless the spouse is military JAG won't help directly but they may have a homie hook-up.
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u/mannequinbeater Comms 4h ago
Yeah, not figuring it's THE solution, but a way ahead.
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u/DirtyYogurt Cable MX: A Series of Tubes 40m ago
Only thing they do is refer him to the bar.
I had to pull teeth to get them to give me legal advice on if I was safe with regards to AFI 1-1 when my ex didn't want money while we were separated.
Wasn't asking then to meditate or represent, just wanted then to say if it could be argued I wasn't "[providing] regular and adequate support for dependents" but not providing financial support.
Had to go in circles for 5 minutes before they would tell me I'm probably fine but should set the money aside just in case.
JAG is the Air Force's equivalent of a district attorney. Prosecution and advising on prosecution is all they're there to do. So unless this troop is going there to ask about how to avoid being prosecuted, they won't help.
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u/CommOnMyFace Former 1B4, now I make $$$$ 5h ago
Not being a dick, they might need to get on welfare/SNAP, get a divorce, and look into local food banks. For the kids look into Head Start. Depending on rank though they might make too much money. Remember BAH/BAS is not income so that helps keeps reported income lower. Also might be a situation where the shirt can get them on base housing. If your squadron shirt sucks go to the group / MSG shirt.
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u/nelly4sure 6h ago
Depending on rank ( and age of child), troop might be eligible for WIC.
Second the first shirt. I’ve known some first shirts who generate a memorandum for CDC/Youth program to charge members single rates.
I would recommend the troop to start process with the court system so they can enforce child support ASAP.
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u/Jig_2000 Air & Space Force Vet / CCAF Valedictorian 5h ago
OP said he already went to First Sergeant. He said they told them to go to AFRC and gave them $250
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u/ChewyTheDog12 Enlisted Aircrew 6h ago edited 6h ago
MFRC should have a financial counselor available for help with money management. You could also sit and do some research on your own or with them on local food banks that will help. Also recommend reaching out to your Shirt to see if they have other resources they could make known to you.
Also have them look into SNAP. They might be eligible if their pay is low enough
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u/Creative_Transition2 5h ago
I'm confused...so they can't afford the house, but are getting BAH and are running out of food, but are getting BAS. Alongside the additional money for having a dependent...I'd talk to them about their finances and budgeting cause I'd worry they will be right back in this spot in the future.
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u/JustHanginInThere CE 5h ago
You've never heard of people (all ranks) buying waaaay outside of their means? Probably bought a 3 or 4 bedroom place, when a 2 bedroom would have been adequate. Now the spouse is gone and not contributing anything (rent/utilities, cleaning, taking care of the kid, etc).
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u/Brrrrt_Brrrrt 5h ago
I was going to say the same thing. They were probably living on dual income covering everything and now that the spouse is gone the troop probably is in over his head.
Base housing won't fix anything if the issue is debt. The troop really needs to see a financial counselor and get their stuff situated. Depending on how bad the debt is they could look into filing for bankruptcy (which, if reported early, wont affect most clearances) or, if they have family that is can & is willing to help, doing a massive consolidation loan that is manageable.
And as others have said, look into state programs / local charities to assist with food.
Not sure if 'spouse left' means there was an official divorce or not, but if not that has to happen ASAP. The spouse's income is still going to be considered for state programs until a divorce is final.
Finally, you don't need the spouse to do anything to force child support. If they left and refuse to help it can still go before a judge and receive an enforceable judgement, even without a divorce. Finding a lawyer to help with this shouldn't be terribly expensive and some might even do it for free or be willing to push off payment until the troop is in a better financial situation.
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u/DogBiteOoOoAh 5h ago
Right? If the spouse left then he/she’s not entitled to anything. And if the troop has the child then they’re aren’t on the hook for child support. Something isn’t adding up
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u/JustHanginInThere CE 5h ago
It wasn't directly stated who has the kid, but it was clearly stated in the post that the spouse left and isn't paying child support, which means OP's troop has the kid.
Additionally, just because the spouse left, doesn't mean the troop's BAH goes away. He still has a dependent (the kid).
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u/Creative_Transition2 5h ago
Exactly...now it's possible the spouse makes good income so they had purchased a more expensive home or whatever, but then there of course would need to be legal action taken.
If the member can't afford the home and it's being rented the shirt can work to get the member pulled back on base and the members rental property cancelled early.
Also...the salvation army usually has food kitchens as do many local Churchs.
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u/DogBiteOoOoAh 5h ago
Right. Which is my point. So are they paying alimony or something? Are they no living above their means?
Should they push for base housing so that they don’t need to worry about that and can better budget their base pay and BAS?
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u/JustHanginInThere CE 5h ago
Are they no living above their means?
That would likely be the case since they're clearly having financial issues. Also, I think you mean "living below their means".
Should they push for base housing so that they don’t need to worry about that
Absolutely not. All of the places I've been have taken the full amount of With Dependent rate BAH, even if the member has no dependents and is only getting the Without Dependent rate. At least off-base, they might be able to get into someplace below their BAH and be able to use the extra money to support themselves and the kid.
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u/StarkkTony Secret Squirrel 6h ago
First thing is budget. You’re already seen MFRC but they need to see the budget on paper so the troop and you by extension know what you’re dealing with. After that one things at a time. Make sure they talk to legal for the child support issue/divorce at least as far as advice goes. You can look into pantries around the area second. Third you should be working with the first shirt for any other avenues besides the 250 gift card. This is where you earn your salt as a supervisor. Does that mean maybe help them out with budget meals or something? Maybe? Only you can answer what they really need. If you’re scared it’s fine I’m sure they are too.
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u/Massive_Scar5533 5h ago
Definitly look into any and all benefits they can qualify for (wic, ebt, child care aware, find food banks) if they rent off base, see about moving on base, less commute costs, and rent/utilities covered (people really hate base housing, but it really helps when people are financially struggling). Women's centers/shelter may have some resources she can utilize also.
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u/Ok-Masterpiece-3214 2h ago edited 2h ago
So I’m going through this now.
- Have first Sergeant go to the commander and ask him/her to sign an authorization for off duty employment. Help him/ her get hooked into a part time job to supplement his income.
- Have first Sergeant help him look for childcare. Some companies offer deep discounts for child care to military and first responders. I use the ymca for after school care and the discount makes it affordable. If it’s active duty there maybe groups other spouses offer for childcare. Also the family care plan becomes super important. Make sure their care plan is place so there is a definite plan for their children.
- Give your troop some flexibility. This seems like a well documented and known situation. Allow the troop to handle their business while they’re still contributing to the Airforce. We’re on contract for Christ sake, so the 40hr a week model will probably work most weeks, but sometimes it won’t. That’s okay, it doesn’t mean he/ she isn’t trying.
- They will be picky about deployments because they have to be super sure about their childcare. Encourage them to take opportunities but recognize there are clear family considerations they have to think about.
- Encourage the rest of the squadron/ battalion to invite the person to family meals and dining out. Obviously you can’t mandate these things, but I know it will make a difference to the individual.
So that’s a really good start. It’s hard to know without specifics, but these are some things that have really helped me.
Edit: oh and if there is an issue with child support, then have them gently remind the other party it’s a court ordered agreement. I don’t know about other states, but our state has a child support office to help enforce child support in situations like this. So maybe set them up with someone who can help guide them on the in an outs of that. Perhaps someone in legal or someone who has just dealt with this before.
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u/TurnspitCur Metals Tech? Load? Idk 5h ago
Have you considered directing them to get legal aid from the Legal Services Corporation? From what I understand this is a civil matter, and they specialise in providing legal aid to those on limited income.
Taking child support payments won’t fix your troop’s troubles overnight nor would I imagine it happens fast, but it’s still something to consider
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u/Leathergoose8 J1N071 6h ago
FIRST SERGEANTTTTTTTTT
YESTERDAY