In addition to counseling and advocacy services to assist domestic abuse victims and offenders, there are two benefits available to family members who are victims of domestic abuse: transitional compensation and shipment of household goods.

In addition to counseling and advocacy services to assist domestic abuse victims and offenders, there are two benefits available to family members who are victims of domestic abuse: transitional compensation and shipment of household goods.

Transitional compensation is a congressionally authorized program. It allows the Department of Defense to provide temporary monetary payments and limited military benefits to the dependents of service members who are separated from the military due to domestic abuse. These payments are designed to assist victims in establishing a life apart from abusive service members. Transitional compensation benefits are available for no less than twelve months and no more than thirty-six months. In addition to monetary payments, benefits may include commissary and exchange privileges and medical and dental services through TRICARE for a limited period of time. To apply for transitional compensation benefits, a victim should contact the local Family Advocacy Program, victim advocate, or victim witness coordinator.

Transitional compensation is a congressionally authorized program. It allows the Department of Defense to provide temporary monetary payments and limited military benefits to the dependents of service members who are separated from the military due to domestic abuse. These payments are designed to assist victims in establishing a life apart from abusive service members. Transitional compensation benefits are available for no less than twelve months and no more than thirty-six months. In addition to monetary payments, benefits may include commissary and exchange privileges and medical and dental services through TRICARE for a limited period of time. To apply for transitional compensation benefits, a victim should contact the local Family Advocacy Program, victim advocate, or victim witness coordinator.

A victim of domestic abuse or child abuse may qualify to receive transitional compensation benefits if:

• he or she was married to or is a family member of a service member,
• he or she was residing in the home of the service member when the domestic abuse or child abuse offense occurred,
• the service member has served at least thirty days on active duty,
• the service member has been discharged administratively (voluntarily or involuntarily) or by court martial for domestic abuse or child abuse, or sentenced to forfeiture of all pay and allowances by a court-martial for a domestic abuse or child abuse offense, or
• the charge was brought to court after November 29, 1993.

The Service sSecretaries have some flexibility in providing transitional compensation benefits to victims who might not otherwise meet all of the criteria listed above. The victim advocate, Family Advocacy Program staff member, victim witness coordinator, or legal officer on the installation can help a victim determine whether he or she will be able to access transitional compensation benefits.

A victim of domestic abuse or child abuse may qualify to receive transitional compensation benefits if:

• he or she was married to or is a family member of a service member,
• he or she was residing in the home of the service member when the domestic abuse or child abuse offense occurred,
• the service member has served at least thirty days on active duty,
• the service member has been discharged administratively (voluntarily or involuntarily) or by court martial for domestic abuse or child abuse, or sentenced to forfeiture of all pay and allowances by a court-martial for a domestic abuse or child abuse offense, or
• the charge was brought to court after November 29, 1993.

The Service sSecretaries have some flexibility in providing transitional compensation benefits to victims who might not otherwise meet all of the criteria listed above. The victim advocate, Family Advocacy Program staff member, victim witness coordinator, or legal officer on the installation can help a victim determine whether he or she will be able to access transitional compensation benefits.

A victim could lose or forfeit his or her transitional compensation benefits under the following circumstances:

• the victim remarries (entitlements terminate as of the date of the remarriage)
• the victim begins living with the abusive service member again
• the domestic violence conviction is reduced to a lower punishment or administrative separation is revoked

For detailed information about the program, the benefits it provides, and eligibility requirements, a victim should contact the local Family Advocacy Program, victim advocate, or victim witness coordinator.

A victim could lose or forfeit his or her transitional compensation benefits under the following circumstances:

• the victim remarries (entitlements terminate as of the date of the remarriage)
• the victim begins living with the abusive service member again
• the domestic violence conviction is reduced to a lower punishment or administrative separation is revoked

For detailed information about the program, the benefits it provides, and eligibility requirements, a victim should contact the local Family Advocacy Program, victim advocate, or victim witness coordinator.

Joint Federal Travel Regulations are travel and transportation regulations for the Department of Defense. Under those regulations, abused spouses wishing to relocate for personal safety reasons may request shipment of household goods and a personal auto. To qualify, the service member must have committed a dependent-abuse offense against his or her spouse and a safety plan and counseling must have been provided to the spouse. It must also have been determined that the spouse's safety is at risk and that relocation is advisable. For further information, a victim should contact the legal services office at the nearest installation.

Joint Federal Travel Regulations are travel and transportation regulations for the Department of Defense. Under those regulations, abused spouses wishing to relocate for personal safety reasons may request shipment of household goods and a personal auto. To qualify, the service member must have committed a dependent-abuse offense against his or her spouse and a safety plan and counseling must have been provided to the spouse. It must also have been determined that the spouse's safety is at risk and that relocation is advisable. For further information, a victim should contact the legal services office at the nearest installation.