DD Form 1561. Statement to Substantiate Payment of Family Separation Allowance (FSA)
The DD Form 1561 is a statement used to substantiate the payment of Family Separation Allowance (FSA) for military members who are separated from their families due to military duties. The main purpose of the form is to provide documentation that supports the claim for FSA, which is a special pay authorized by the Department of Defense.
The form consists of several parts, including personal information about the service member and their family members, information about the type of duty that caused the separation, and a certification that the information provided is accurate and complete. Important fields on the form include the service member's name, rank, and branch of service, as well as the dates of the separation and the location of the duty station.
When filling out the form, it is important to carefully review all of the instructions and ensure that all of the required information is included. In addition to the completed form, applicants must also attach supporting documentation such as orders, travel vouchers, or other records that demonstrate the details of the separation.
An example of when this form may be used is when a service member is deployed to a combat zone and their family members remain behind at their home base. In this case, the service member would be eligible for FSA and would need to submit a DD Form 1561 along with the necessary supporting documentation.
Strengths of the form include its clarity and specificity in outlining the requirements for receiving FSA. However, weaknesses may include confusion around the terminology used on the form or difficulty obtaining required supporting documentation.
Potential opportunities for improvement could include simplifying the language used on the form or streamlining the process for submitting supporting documentation.
Alternative forms or analogues to the DD Form 1561 may include other forms used to document special pay eligibility, such as the DD Form 1351-2 for travel vouchers. The main difference between these forms would be their specific requirements and purposes.
Submitting the form and supporting documentation can be done through the service member's chain of command or administrative office, and the completed form is typically stored in the individual's military personnel file. The form affects the future of the participants by determining their eligibility for FSA payments during periods of family separation.