37 U.S.C. § 427 (PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES)
§ 427. Family separation allowance
(a) Entitlement to Allowance.—
(1) In addition to any allowance or per diem to which he otherwise may be entitled under this title a member of a uniformed service with dependents is entitled to a monthly allowance of not less than $300, and not more than $400, if—
(A) the movement of his dependents to his permanent station or a place near that station is not authorized at the expense of the United States under section 452 of this title and his dependents do not reside at or near that station;
(B) he is on duty on board a ship away from the home port of the ship (or under orders to remain on board the ship while at the home port) for a continuous period of more than 30 days; or
(C) he is on temporary duty away from his permanent station for a continuous period of more than 30 days and his dependents do not reside at or near his temporary duty station.
(2) A member who becomes entitled to an allowance under this subsection by virtue of duty prescribed in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) for a continuous period of more than 30 days is entitled to the allowance effective as of the earlier of—
(A) the first day of that period; or
(B) the first day the member ceased being entitled to a previous allowance under this subsection by reason of the end of duty prescribed in such subparagraphs, if the member ceased being entitled to the previous allowance within 30 days before the first day of that period.
(b) Entitlement When No Residence or Household Maintained for Dependents.—
An allowance is payable under subsection (a) even though the member does not maintain for his primary dependents who would otherwise normally reside with him, a residence or household, subject to his management and control, which he is likely to share with them as a common household when his duty assignment permits.
(c) Effect of Election to Serve Unaccompanied Tour of Duty.—
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3), a member who elects to serve a tour of duty unaccompanied by his dependents at a permanent station to which the movement of his dependents is authorized at the expense of the United States under section 452 of this title is not entitled to an allowance under subsection (a)(1)(A).
(2) The prohibition in the first sentence of paragraph (1) does not apply to a member who elects to serve an unaccompanied tour of duty because a dependent cannot accompany the member to or at that permanent station for certified medical reasons.
(3) The Secretary concerned may waive paragraph (1) in situations in which it would be inequitable to deny the allowance to the member because of unusual family or operational circumstances.
(d) Entitlement While Spouse Entitled to Basic Pay.—
(1) A member married to another member of the uniformed services becomes entitled, regardless of any other dependency status, to an allowance under subsection (a) by virtue of duty prescribed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) of such subsection if the members were residing together immediately before being separated by reasons of execution of military orders.
(2) If a married couple, both of whom are members of the uniformed services, with dependents are simultaneously assigned to duties described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (a)(1) and the members resided together with their dependents immediately before their assignments, the Secretary concerned shall pay each of the members the full amount of the monthly allowance specified in such subsection until one of the members is no longer assigned to duties described in such subparagraphs. Upon expiration of the additional allowance, paragraph (1) shall continue to apply to the remaining member so long as the member is assigned to duties described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of such subsection.
(3) Section 421 of this title does not apply to bar the entitlement to an allowance under this section. Except as provided in paragraph (2), not more than one monthly allowance may be paid with respect to a married couple under this section.
(Added Pub. L. 88–132, § 11(1), Oct. 2, 1963, 77 Stat. 217; amended Pub. L. 91–529, § 1, Dec. 7, 1970, 84 Stat. 1389; Pub. L. 91–533, § 1, Dec. 7, 1970, 84 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 96–342, title VIII, § 809(a), Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1097; Pub. L. 99–145, title VI, § 607(a), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 639; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VI, § 618(a), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3880; Pub. L. 102–25, title VII, § 702(b)(1), (c), Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 117; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title VI, §§ 611(b), 625, Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1376, 1379; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VI, § 625(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2785; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VI, § 606, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 358; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title VI, § 607, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2542; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title VI, §§ 603(c)(3), 626, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1781, 1795; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 607(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1134; Pub. L. 108–11, title I, § 1316(b), (c)(2), Apr. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 570; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, §§ 606, 618(d)(2), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1500, 1504; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title VI, § 623(b), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1955; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VI, § 604(a), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4483; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 631(f)(4)(A), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1465; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(a)(9), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1948; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VI, § 615, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3675; ; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VI, § 626(h)(4), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2629; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VI, § 626(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 294; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VI, § 622, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 909.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2025—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “$300” for “$250” in introductory provisions.
2023—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–31 substituted “of not less than $250, and not more than $400,” for “equal to $250” in introductory provisions.
2022—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 117–263, § 626(h)(4)(A), substituted “section 452” for “section 476”.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–263, § 626(h)(4)(B), substituted “section 452” for “section 476”.
2021—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 116–283 inserted “(or under orders to remain on board the ship while at the home port)” after “of the ship”.
2013—Subsecs. (a)(1)(A), (c)(1). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1076(a)(9), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 112–81, § 631(f)(4)(A). See 2011 Amendment note below.
2011—Subsecs. (a)(1)(A), (c)(1). Pub. L. 112–81, § 631(f)(4)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 112–239, § 1076(a)(9), substituted “476” for “406”.
2008—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–417 designated first sentence of existing provisions as par. (1), designated last two sentences of existing provisions as par. (3) and substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (2)” for “However”, and added par. (2).
2004—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–375, § 623(b)(2)(A), substituted “$250” for “$100”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–375, § 623(b)(2)(B), struck out heading and text of subsec. (e). Text read as follows: “For the period beginning on October 1, 2003, and ending on December 31, 2005, the monthly allowance authorized by subsection (a)(1) shall be increased to $250.”
Pub. L. 108–375, § 623(b)(1), substituted “December 31, 2005” for “December 31, 2004”.
2003—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–11, § 1316(b), (c), as amended by Pub. L. 108–136, § 618(d)(2), temporarily substituted “$250” for “$100”. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2003 Amendments note below.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–136, § 606, added subsec. (e).
2001—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–107 designated first sentence of existing provisions as par. (1) and substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3), a member” for “A member”, added par. (2), and designated second sentence of existing provisions as par. (3) and substituted “The Secretary concerned may waive paragraph (1)” for “The Secretary concerned may waive the preceding sentence”.
1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–85, § 603(c)(3)(B)(i), redesignated subsec. (b)(1), (2) as subsec. (a)(1), (2), respectively, and inserted subsec. heading.
Pub. L. 105–85, § 603(c)(3)(A), struck out heading and text of subsec. (a). Text read as follows: “In addition to any allowance or per diem to which he otherwise may be entitled under this title, a member of a uniformed service with dependents who is on permanent duty outside of the United States, or in Alaska, is entitled to a monthly allowance equal to the basic allowance for quarters payable to a member without dependents in the same pay grade if—
“(1) the movement of his dependents to his permanent station or a place near that station is not authorized at the expense of the United States under section 406 of this title and his dependents do not reside at or near that station; and
“(2) quarters of the United States or a housing facility under the jurisdiction of a uniformed service are not available for assignment to him.”
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–85, § 626, substituted “$100” for “$75” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 105–85, § 603(c)(3)(B)(ii), struck out “, including subsection (a),” after “under this title” in introductory provisions, inserted “or” at end of subpar. (B), substituted “station.” for “station; or” at end of subpar. (C), and struck out subpar. (D) which read as follows: “the member is married to a member of a uniformed service, the member has no dependent other than the spouse, the two members are separated by reason of the execution of military orders, and the two members were residing together immediately before being separated by reason of execution of military orders.”
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–85, § 603(c)(3)(B)(iii), redesignated subsec. (b)(3) as subsec. (b), inserted heading, and substituted “subsection (a)” for “this subsection”. Former subsec. (b)(1), (2), and (4) redesignated subsecs. (a)(1), (2), and (c), respectively.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 105–85, § 603(c)(3)(B)(v), struck out par. (5) which read as follows: “Section 421 of this title does not apply to bar an entitlement to an allowance under paragraph (1)(D). However, not more than one monthly allowance may be paid with respect to a married couple under paragraph (1)(D) for any month.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–85, § 603(c)(3)(B)(iv), redesignated subsec. (b)(4) as subsec. (c), inserted heading, and substituted “subsection (a)(1)(A)” for “paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–85, § 603(c)(3)(B)(v), added subsec. (d).
1996—Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 104–201, § 607(a), added subpar. (D).
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted “paragraph (1)(A) of” after “not entitled to an allowance under”.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 104–201, § 607(b), added par. (5).
1994—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 103–337, § 625(a)(3), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
Pub. L. 103–337, § 625(a)(1), struck out at beginning “A member who becomes entitled to an allowance under this subsection by virtue of duty described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) for a continuous period of more than 30 days is entitled to the allowance effective as of the first day of that period.”
Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 103–337, § 625(a)(2), redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively.
1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–190, § 625(b)(1), inserted heading.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–190, § 625(b)(2), inserted heading.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102–190, § 625(a), substituted “$75” for “$60”.
Pub. L. 102–190, § 611(b), substituted “In” for “Except in time of war or of national emergency hereafter declared by Congress, and in”.
Pub. L. 102–25 struck out “of this section” after “subsection (a)”.
1986—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–661, § 618(a), designated existing provisions as pars. (1) and (2), in par. (1) redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as subpars. (A) to (C), respectively, and in par. (2) substituted “subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1)” for “clause (2) or (3)”, and added par. (3).
1985—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–145 substituted “$60” for “$30”.
1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–342 struck out “(other than a member in pay grade E–1, E–2, E–3, or E–4 (4 years’ or less service))” after “a member of a uniformed service with dependents”.
1970—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 91–533 struck out “who is entitled to a basic allowance for quarters” after “(4 years’ or less service)”.
Pub. L. 91–529 inserted provisions authorizing payment of an allowance under this subsection even though the member does not maintain for his primary dependents who would otherwise normally reside with him, a residence or household, subject to his management or control, which he is likely to share with them as a common household when his duty assignment permits.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2013 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1947, provided that the amendment made by section 1076(a)(9) is effective Dec. 31, 2011, and as if included in Pub. L. 112–81 as enacted.
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VI, § 604(b), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4483, as amended by Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(e)(9), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4375, provided that: “Paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of section 427 of title 37, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to members of the uniformed services described in such paragraph who perform service covered by subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (a)(1) of such section on or after October 1, 2008.”
heading: Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title VI, § 623(b)(2), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1955, provided that the amendments made by section 623(b)(2) are effective Jan. 1, 2006.
heading: Effective and Termination Dates of 2003 Amendments
text: Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, § 618(d)(2), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1504, provided that the amendment made by section 618(d)(2) is effective Apr. 16, 2003.
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–11 effective Oct. 1, 2002, and applicable with respect to months beginning on or after that date, and expires Sept. 30, 2003, and, effective Sept. 30, 2003, the dollar amount specified in subsec. (a)(1) of this section as in effect on the day before Apr. 16, 2003, is revived, see section 1316(c), (d) of Pub. L. 108–11, set out as notes under section 310 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 607(b), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1135, provided that: “Paragraph (2) of section 427(c) of title 37, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(3), shall apply with respect to pay periods beginning on or after January 1, 2002, for a member of the uniformed services covered by such paragraph regardless of the date on which the member first made the election to serve an unaccompanied tour of duty.”
heading: Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 603(c)(3) of Pub. L. 105–85 effective Jan. 1, 1998, see section 603(e) of Pub. L. 105–85, set out as a note under section 5561 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
heading: Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VI, § 625(b), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2785, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as of June 20, 1994.”
heading: Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 99–145, title VI, § 607(b), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 639, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1985, and shall apply only to family separation allowances payable for months beginning on or after that date.”
heading: Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 96–342, title VIII, § 809(b), Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1097, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect with respect to months after September 1980.”
heading: Effective Date of 1970 Amendments
text: Pub. L. 91–533, § 2, Dec. 7, 1970, 84 Stat. 1392, provided that: “The amendment made by this Act [amending this section] shall take effect on the first day of the first calendar month which occurs after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 7, 1970].”
Pub. L. 91–529, § 2, Dec. 7, 1970, 84 Stat. 1389, provided that: “Section 1 of this Act [amending this section] is effective October 1, 1963.”
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective Oct. 1, 1963, see section 14 of Pub. L. 88–132, set out as an Effective Date of 1963 Amendment note under section 201 of this title.
heading: Savings Provision
text: Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VI, § 618(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3881, as amended by Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 631(f)(4)(B), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1465; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(a)(9), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1948, provided that: “Notwithstanding the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section], a member who on September 30, 1986, was assigned to a permanent station to which the movement of his dependents was authorized at the expense of the United States under section 476 of title 37, United States Code, and who elected to serve a tour of duty at that station unaccompanied by his dependents, shall, until he departs that station as a result of a change of permanent station, be entitled to receive the allowance authorized by section 427(b) of such title without regard to paragraph (3) [now (4)] of such section, as added by subsection (a).”
heading: Rates of Pay for Fiscal Year 2004
text: Rates of pay authorized under subsec. (a)(1) of this section from Oct. 1, 2003, through Sept. 30, 2004, to be $250, see section 1104 of Pub. L. 108–106, set out as a note under section 310 of this title.
heading: Temporary Increase in Family Separation Allowance; Persian Gulf Conflict
text: Pub. L. 102–25, title III, § 302, Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 80, provided that:
“(a) Increased Rate.—
In lieu of the family separation allowance specified in section 427(b)(1) of title 37, United States Code, the family separation allowance payable under that section shall be $75 for each month during the period described in subsection (b).
“(b) Period of Applicability.—
Subsection (a) shall apply during the period beginning on January 15, 1991, and ending on the first day of the first month beginning on or after the date 180 days after the end of the Persian Gulf conflict.”
heading: Family Separation Allowance for Members in Missing Status During the Vietnam Conflict
text: Pub. L. 91–534, Dec. 7, 1970, 84 Stat. 1392, provided:
“That, under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, a member of a uniformed service with dependents who is in a missing status (as defined in section 551(2) of title 37 United States Code) during the Vietnam conflict and is not entitled to an allowance under section 427(b) of title 37 may be paid a monthly allowance equal to $30. For the purposes of this Act, the Vietnam conflict ends on the date designated by the President by Executive order as the date of the termination of combat activities in Vietnam.
“Sec. 2. This Act takes effect on the first day of the first month which begins after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 7, 1970].”