Transitional Compensation for Abused Family Members (TCAFM)
This MARADMIN provides updated guidance on the Transitional Compensation for Abused Family Members (TCAFM) program, which offers 12 to 36 months of financial support and benefits to family members of service members separated from active duty due to domestic violence. The message outlines current payment rates for FY 2006, application procedures, and responsibilities for commanding officers and legal officers in processing TCAFM applications.
Issued: May 1, 2006
1. TCAFM IS A CONGRESSIONALLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAM PROVIDING 12 TO 36 MONTHS OF SUPPORT PAYMENTS TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF SERVICE MEMBERS WHO ARE SEPARATED FROM ACTIVE DUTY DUE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THESE SUPPORT PAYMENTS ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST FAMILY MEMBERS IN ESTABLISHING A LIFE APART FROM THE ABUSIVE SERVICE MEMBER. REF A PROVIDES FULL PARAMETERS FOR PROCESSING TCAFM. THIS MARADMIN INCLUDES RECENT CHANGES AND UPDATES. 2. MONTHLY PAYMENTS ARE BASED ON CURRENT DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION RATES. THESE RATES SLIGHTLY INCREASE EACH DECEMBER. FISCAL YEAR 2006 MONTHLY ENTITLEMENT RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS: $ 1,033.00 SPOUSE $ 257.00 EACH DEPENDENT CHILD $ 438.00 DEPENDENT CHILD ONLY COMMISSARY AND EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE DURATION OF PAYMENTS. 3. RESPONSIBILITIES AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES: HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS (HQMC), PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION (MRRO) WILL COORDINATE POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW ALL APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY. HQMC MRRO WILL NOTIFY COMMANDS OR LEGAL OFFICES OF DECISIONS AND FORWARD APPROVED FORMS TO THE DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE (DFAS) FOR THE RECIPIENT TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS. HQMC DEFENSE ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY REPORTING SYSTEM (DEERS)/ REALTIME AUTOMATED PERSONNEL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (RAPID) (MRP-1) WILL COORDINATE WITH THE DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER TO ENTER APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY INTO THE DEERS DATABASE. MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY SERVICES WILL ENSURE WIDEST DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT TCAFM TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICES, STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATES, NCIS, BASE POLICE, LEGAL SERVICES OFFICES, MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES (MTFS), CHAPLAIN OFFICES, AND TENANT COMMANDS. COMMANDING OFFICERS/LEGAL OFFICERS OF MARINES WHOSE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TCAFM ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INITIATING THE PROCESS AS WELL AS COMPLETING THE TWO-PAGE APPLICATION AND SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION, DIRECT DEPOSIT FORM, AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM TO HQMC MRRO VIA SCANNED ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION, FAX, OR USPS MAIL WITHIN 5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR PROCESSING. 4. IF IT IS NOT FEASIBLE FOR A POTENTIAL RECIPIENT TO ACCESS OR CONTACT A MILITARY INSTALLATION, A COMMANDING OFFICER OR LEGAL OFFICER TO INITIATE THE APPLICATION FOR TCAFM, THE POTENTIAL RECIPIENT MAY COMPLETE AN APPLICATION AND SELF-SUBMIT. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT VIA FAX OR STANDARD USPS MAIL TO: HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS DIVISION ATTN: TRACY PERL (MRRO) 3280 RUSSELL ROAD QUANTICO VA 22134 PHONE: (703) 784-9546 FAX: (703) 784-9825 EMAIL: TRACY.PERL@USMC.MIL