My husband isn’t supporting me financially. What do I do?

Q. Help! My husband isn’t supporting me financially. What do I do?

Hello, I’m a 19-year-old military wife. People laughed in my face saying that I needed to call up the financial office up at Fort Jackson and find out what was really going on cause he should still be receiving pay.

Turns out they were right. I just found out he has had a stash. I feel like an idiot, constantly believing he was broke and coming up with money for the bills on my own with my 3.12 dollars an hr pay. I just would like to know who to call in this situation. Do I need a lawyer or call up the military dept.

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First, you say you only make $3.12/hr? I don’t know where you work, but it sounds like they are violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). I’d find a better job and report them to your local WHD office!

Also, when you say “my husband isn’t supporting me financially” do you mean he doesn’t give you money, help with bills, pay for food, provide housing, etc.. or do you mean he does provide some of that but is not giving you actual cash? If he does provide housing (such as you live on post) then in the eyes of the Military, he is providing support. If he is doing none of those things at all, then you may be able to get his Chain of Command to help you out.

Second, I am not sure who you spoke with, but finance will NOT give that kind of information over the phone. Furthermore, they very rarely will even speak to a spouse unless that spouse shows up in person with a power of attorney that states she may speak to finance on the Soldiers behalf. It sounds like he is a new Soldier? If that is the case, the Military very often does screw up pay. Heck, it tends to get screwed up anytime there is a change in the Soldier’s life, such as moving, getting married, getting promoted, etc… One quick way is to just look at his LES. If you don’t have his login info for MyPay, ask him to create you a sign in so you can log in and check his LES every month.

However, I’m assuming from your email, you are now looking to get a divorce? In that case, you would need to contact a lawyer. As for him, as long as he is married he has a duty to support you according to the Military; failure to do so can cause him to get in trouble (which from the sounds of your email, that is what you are seeking to do as well). I, personally, am against messing with a Military member’s career (or anyone’s career for that matter when it is in regards to a personal issue). However, if that is what you wish to do, you would need to contact his chain of command to let them know he is not supporting you financially. Then, it’s really up to their discretion on how they want to handle it.

Anyway, I hope that you were just given misinformation. If that turns out to be the case and your husband has been telling you the truth, I’d get rid of those friends of yours that tried to put doubts in your mind. You don’t need friends like that. Instead, surround yourself with friends who support both you and your marriage, no matter what ups and downs you may have. A real friend doesn’t put doubts in your mind about your husband (or your marriage) no matter what may be happening. And you can take that from someone who has a lot of experience in that department!

Good luck to you!