Service Members’ Pay, Benefits, Training and Duty During COVID-19

Will I still receive my special and incentive pay(s) for Hazardous Duty (Dive, Demolition, etc.) if I’m not able to meet the minimum performance requirements for the pay(s)?

Yes. As long as you are normally eligible for the special and incentive pay(s) and your ability to perform your special duties for that pay was interrupted because of COVID-19-related issues, your command can provide a waiver so you can continue to receive pay without performing the specific duties. Contact your chain of command to find out if you qualify for a waiver and whether you need to take action to obtain one.

As a reservist, some of my drill periods are being canceled, rescheduled, deferred or excused and some are being held virtually. If I am not able to meet the performance requirements for my special/incentive pay, will I be able to qualify for a waiver, too?

Yes. Reserve Component members can also receive the waiver of performance requirements for special and incentive pay(s) as long as you were otherwise eligible for them. Contact your chain of command to find out if you qualify for a waiver and whether you need to take action to obtain one.

I was living off-base and receiving Basic Allowance Subsistence without deduction for meals. Now, because of COVID-19, I’ve been ordered to move on-base, stay in government quarters and eat my meals at the government dining facility. Will I lose my BAS? Are they going to start deducting for meals from my allowance?

No and no. Because of the unique and unusual circumstance surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, service members (both officers and enlisted) housed in government quarters and subsisted through government-provided meals, who are not entitled to the meals portion of a per diem, are to receive their meals at no charge, and to continue to receive their BAS (without deduction). Contact your chain of command to find out more about how your Service is implementing this new authority.

Benefits

I have full-time Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance coverage because I am scheduled to drill at least 12 times a year, but I am unable to drill because of the pandemic. Will I lose my SGLI coverage?

No. Under existing policy, Reserve component members will not lose their SGLI, Traumatic SGLI, or Family SGLI coverage because they were unable to drill or perform Annual Training due to COVID-19 and, therefore, didn’t pay their premiums from their inactive or active duty pay. Similar to members whose drills are excused, rescheduled, or grouped together in some months throughout the year, your coverage will continue even in months where you did not earn pay. You should expect that any missed premiums will be deducted in a lump sum once you return to a pay status (including being paid for drills you perform at an alternate duty site or via telework).

Can I change my SGLI coverages without going to my drill site or support office?

Yes. If you are a service member with full-time coverage, you can use the SGLI Online Enrollment System to manage your coverage and beneficiaries from any computer.

What is TRICARE Reserve Select?

The TRICARE Reserve Select health plan is available for purchase by qualified members of the Selected Reserve.

Are TRICARE Reserve Select premiums automatically deducted from a Reserve member’s monthly service paycheck?

No. TRS premium is NOT taken out of a member’s monthly drill pay. The member is required to set up a separate payment method from his or her own bank or credit card. Therefore, nonreceipt of drill pay is not directly connected to nonpayment of TRS premium.

As a Reserve member, may I seek a waiver of monthly premiums?

Since members must pay monthly premiums that represent 28% of the cost of the coverage by law, TRS premiums cannot be waived. However, to address concerns that Reserve members may be unable to pay the monthly TRS premiums due to the COVID-19 emergency, if the TRICARE contractor is unsuccessful in collecting the premium at the beginning of the month from the member’s bank account or credit card on file, the contractor will delay terminating coverage until 90 days after the date the COVID-19 emergency has ended, as determined by the Director, Defense Health Agency.

What happens if a Reserve member cannot pay the monthly, or accumulated, premiums?

Reserves members are strongly encouraged to continue to pay their premiums each month if possible, as unpaid premiums accumulate each month and cannot be waived. If not fully paid within 90 days after the end date of the COVID-19 emergency period, as determined by the Director, DHA, the TRS coverage will be terminated retroactive to the last premium paid-through date. If any TRICARE payments were made for those uncovered dates of service, the TRICARE contractor will be required to recoup the payments.

Commanders determine what types of tasking are acceptable. Example tasking includes preparing for unit training or accomplishing unit administrative tasks. Most tasks requiring access to military hardware will not be appropriate.

Where can I find telework guidance?

Refer to your specific service and command guidance for further information.

How do I access Common Access Card-enabled websites from an alternate place of duty?

Consult your service and command for available remote access equipment and remote connection options.

Will Inactive Duty Training at an alternate place of duty, including telework, be authorized after COVID-19?

The Department is considering incorporating this event-specific exception to policy into an update of DoDI 1215.06, “Uniform Reserve, Training and Retirement Categories for the Reserve Component.”

What if my commander determines I’m not eligible to perform Inactive Duty Trainings at an alternate place of duty or telework?

It is at a Commander’s discretion and flexibility to schedule or reschedule IDTs. Such flexibility includes authorizing absences, authorizing equivalent training or adjusting/rescheduling IDT.