Final Paycheck/Retirement paycheck issues

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nwysong

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So, after my two years of MEB/PEB, the Army (JBLM) is still screwing me.

I seperated on the 7th of November, was moved to the retirement list on 8 November. I was told, and asked the question many times "when my last paycheck was going to be delievered" and "when will I receive my first retirement check" and was told 20 business days AFTER my last day on leave, which would be the 6th of December, and I would have my first retirement check the 30th of November.

Haven't gotten either.

I've been dealing with DFAS, calling almost every day after I didn't get my retirement check and last paycheck and each day the story changes. I was put in contact with the DFAS supervisor AT JBLM on Monday, he tracked down my paperwork and said that my pay had been released and I would be getting paid on Friday. Didn't happen. Called today, DFAS is saying I'm STILL ON HOLD PAY STATUS- At least this guy was nice, and told me he opened a ticket with the pay ombudsman to find out what the problem is.

Can anyone help me out? Late on bills, rent, everything....
 
Oh, yeah.. I was told by my MSC that I would be receiving my VA pay on 1 JAN, which, at this point won't happen because my claim isn't "even close" to being final according to the VA and my eBenefits.
 
When you did your transition on post did you see the SBP/retirement counselor? She/he would be the person you gave all your info for account info on where you wanted your retirement check to go. It should have been on the list of persons you needed to see before you signed out for leave. Also when did you sign out for leave and when was your terminal leave last day?
 
Yes. My pay is set up with retirement services BUT DFAS has been sitting on my stuff. Last day of term leave was the 7th of nov
 
This is the reason they always try and set your final day in the last week of the month. Retirement pay gets paid for your first full month after discharge. In your case, you will get paid Jan 1 for the month of December. I would also assume they will back pay you for the 23 days of November at the same time.

When your terminal leave ran out, you should have gotten something after they audited your account. Have you not received any pay from then since 7 Nov?

Lastly, I used to be an AER officer and what you have going on is one of the main reasons they created the program. As a retiree, you will qualify for a no interest loan to cover your bills until your retirement gets squared away.
 
According to my finance brief before I got out, I was suppose to be put on hold pay status on the 8th of nov. according to DFAS I wasn't placed on hold pay until the 16th. Also, DFAS was never sent my retirement packet and I ended up having to send them everything myself.
 
Have you received any pay between Nov 8 and now?

I understand that you had to send stuff yourself and do others job, but that is not the issue right now, right? You need to get money to pay your bills and survive and AER will help you get by with a loan. That is what is going to help you now. There is nothing that is going to be done by the Army or DFAS.

The most important thing you need to do with them now is make sure they have you online for the 1st of January. As an AER I saw hundreds of soldiers who didn't get paid. No matter how hard they stomped their feet, or who they talked to, they still didn't get paid by DFAS until the next pay cycle. In this case, that will be Jan 1st.

Maybe somebody else in here will have another solution, or secret number to call, but right now, you need help getting by today. Call the Lewis AER office at 8am Monday and get a bridge loan until your pay gets squared away. That is going to help you more than anything. Retirees don't have to go through all the BS of an active duty. You will fill out the AER Form 700 and sign it yourself. Bring that, your budget, bills you have to pay, and what you need for basics until the 1st, and they will help you.
 
Awesome, thank you. Last pay I received was on 1 nov. They (DFAS) started work on my stuff on 11 dec. The person I spoke with said no jan 1 pay because it "takes 30-60 days from when they start" which is completely different than the "30 days from the day they get my paperwork"
 
Have you made the trip back to the finance office you out processed through? It's pretty strange that your stuff didn't make it to DFAS until a full month after you separated. From what I understand, when you do your finance final out, they have everything figured out. It takes them a few day to audit and then they send to DFAS. When you hit AER, go to the finance office and ask to see the person who did your final out. Be nice, but be strong and ask them to figure this out while you are there. If they won't help, ask for the supervisor and so forth.

Did you MEB through a WTU? I ask because they have their own dedicated finance staff that works these issues. Seeing them even if you didn't go through them may help as well. They may not fix your stuff, but will have some very good ideas how to.

Lastly, it doesn't take DFAS that long to fix your stuff. It is a matter of somebody auditing your file and pushing the go button and releasing your pay. It's Dec 15th and pay cutoff isn't until the 23rd. That is more than enough for somebody to unsrew your stuff and get you paid by the 1st.
 
I haven't been able to get to finance yet, but ill be there Monday. DFAS has consistently been rude to me even though everytime I am very respectful and professional, they still refuse to give me an explanation. I spoke with the DFAS supervisor at Lewis and he told me MONDAY I would be paid Friday. I called on Friday and th supervior didn't answer, but I spoke with someone who "processes all the paperwork for final pay" who said "it looks like I received your stuff Monday but I didn't get to it yet"
 
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