What can I do since my Dec 1 paycheck is being held, even though I get out Dec 3?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 15:11:35 -0500

So, I get out Dec 3, 2019. I was told by separations finance that i would be paid my normal Dec 1 paycheck and then my Dec 15th paycheck/sold leave days would be held for any debts I may have. Well, it would seem my Dec 1 paycheck has been held. Is this incorrect? I hope so, because I need that paycheck to be able to make it home after ai final out. What should I do? If there is anything I can do.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Dec 1 at 2019 3:14 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 15:14:39 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member have you asked service to military families/ American Red Cross? Have you talked to your 1stSgt?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2019 3:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 15:27:50 -0500

Your finance must not have briefed you, but your final pay is withheld until DFAS performs an audit on all your pay throughout your service and determines if you owe anything else.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2019 3:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 15:38:53 -0500

With such short amount of time, there's nothing you can do. Your travel should already have been paid for as the government pays your travel to your Home of Record. Even if DFAS was in error, it's too late to change it. Changes to DFAS would have needed to be made over a week ago to be effective this pay period. Because your ETS is so soon, AER will not authorize you for a loan because they can't collect once you separate from service.
You've got three options:
1. You can reenlist/extend, rescind your ETS orders and reprocessed at a later date of your choosing with more money saved.
2. If your final out is tomorrow, but your ETS is farther down the road, you can rescind your clearing orders, sell leave, and move at a later date.
3. You can get a personal loan, which you should be able to pay off once you file your travel voucher after your move home.

Unfortunately, Finance, AER, and IG won't be able to help you in this matter.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Dec 2 at 2019 8:57 AM

MSG Gary Eckert — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 08:57:11 -0500

You have $2317.23 that includes a reduction for Government indebtedness of $108.56 in a hold pay status. The Government always places a hold on the last full month since 3 days of pay may night cover your offset found during the audit. Once the Government finishes the audit on you pay they will lift the hold pay and any remaining held pay amount, plus prorated clothing allowance, three days of pay, and annual leave payment less taxes will be paid out once the audit is complete. With the holidays, there are a significant amount of early releases so the personnel doing the audits are busy. You should be prepared for the hold pay to still be in effect when MIDMO cut-off happens and it might be EOM December when you get your final pay. The good news is sometimes that audit finds you were under paid during your service and you will be reimbursed for that, too.