Abuse—whether physical, emotional or verbal—is incredibly painful and unhealthy. Army Families deserve to feel safe, supported and respected. When they do not, the Transitional Compensation Program can help.
"The Transitional Compensation Program was created to support spouses and children as they navigate the difficult process of leaving a physically abusive relationship,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, a Family Advocacy Program specialist at Headquarters, Army Installation Management Command.
As a congressionally authorized program, Transitional Compensation provides temporary financial, medical and other military benefits for up to 36 months to eligible dependents. The program is designed for dependents of service members who are separated from the military—either through administrative separation or court-martial conviction—due to a dependent-abuse offense.
“TC is one of several important resources available to help victims find stability, safety and support during a very challenging time,” said Rodriguez.
The goals of the TC program are to:
• Encourage victims to report abuse without fear of financial hardship.
• Help victims re-establish their lives after leaving an abusive relationship.
"If your service member spouse has been separated from the military due to a dependent-abuse criminal offense and you have decided to leave the relationship, you may be eligible for TC benefits,” Rodriguez said.
However, individuals lose eligibility if they remarry or move back in with the abuser.
“If you believe you are eligible for TC benefits, you should contact the Family Advocacy Program at your local Army Community Service Center,” said Rodriguez.
According to Army Regulation 608-18, the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate is the primary point of contact for anyone seeking information about the TC Program. DAVAs explain the process, help determine eligibility, gather necessary documentation and submit the applications on the dependent’s behalf.
“Having assistance from the DAVA to understand the process and paperwork was incredibly helpful,” said Kathleen Coffey, who left an abusive relationship in 2016. “Due to stress and lack of sleep, I was having a hard time processing and retaining new information, and I was also caring for my children, who were 2, 4 and 6 years old.”
“I really appreciated having a liaison to communicate with his command,” Coffey continued. “The DAVA explained which authorizations I needed from command and my ex-spouse to facilitate the move and even accompanied me to the transportation office to ensure the process went smoothly. I repeatedly encountered office staff who were unfamiliar with my situation, and the DAVA served as a credible liaison, walking me and various staff through procedures that would normally be handled by the service member, such as moving and renewing my dependent ID card,” Coffey said.
For many people, leaving an abusive partner also means leaving the military lifestyle behind. Coffey explained: “The Army wasn’t just my husband’s job, it was a lifestyle ingrained in our whole Family. When I realized I had to leave, it wasn’t just leaving one person and getting a divorce. It felt like my whole world was exploding, including my own identity and many relationships I valued.”
Abused dependents may be eligible to apply for TC benefits when:
• The dependent was the spouse or child of the service member when the abuse occurred.
• The service member’s separation was a direct result of a court-martial conviction or administrative action for a dependent-abuse offense.
• Under exceptional circumstances, the Secretary of the Army may approve TC benefits if documented evidence of abuse exists, even if the service member was separated for a different reason.
“The line for eligibility must be drawn somewhere, and the current eligibility criteria ensure that abused dependents have a way out,” said Coffey. “It also requires documentation showing separation due to the offense, which may occur months after the initial report to law enforcement. In my case, it took two years.”
Rodriguez said it’s important for victims to understand the criteria required to apply. “TC benefits are not guaranteed, as each application must be reviewed and approved before benefits can be issued,” she said.
“The transitional compensation helped me cover basic expenses while pursuing my law degree,” said Coffey.
“By working through the summers, I was able to graduate early and take the Texas bar exam in February 2021— the same month transitional compensation and our health insurance benefits expired. Although I had student loans and assistance from Family while in law school, the Transitional Compensation stipend and health insurance helped me put myself in a better long-term position.”
Coffey offered this advice to other victims who fear financial instability: “The Transitional Compensation Program isn’t a substitute for your abuser’s paycheck, but it can absolutely help you recover from the separation and move toward financial independence,” she said.
“(A hit to your credit score) is far less important than your own safety.”
For those who feel trapped, Coffey shares a message of hope: “The truth will set you free. Even though initiating a report of abuse seems like starting an uncontrollable landslide, you cannot put a price on living without daily fear. Abuse took a toll on my health that I didn’t fully understand until I was removed from the situation.”
“Remember, you are not alone,” said Rodriguez. “FAP is here to support you and your Family. If you are a victim of dependent abuse, you are encouraged to reach out to FAP to apply for assistance.”
To find your nearest DAVA, use the DAVA Locator on Military OneSource.
For more information, see Army Regulation 608-18, Family Advocacy Program, at armypubs.army.mil.
To learn more about the Transitional Compensation Program, visit www.armyresilience.army.mil/Family-Advocacy-Program/.
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