(a) General rule.--An enlisted member receiving a court-martial sentence of confinement for more than six months, or confinement of six months or less and a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge or dismissal, shall forfeit the pay and allowances due him during any period of confinement or parole as provided in this subsection. The forfeiture shall take effect on the date the sentence was approved. The pay and allowances forfeited in the case of a general court-martial shall be all pay and allowances due the enlisted member during such period and in the case of a special court-martial shall be two-thirds of all pay due the enlisted member during such period.

(b) Exception.--The convening authority or other person acting under section 5903 (relating to action on general court-martial records) may waive any or all requirements under subsection (a) for a period not to exceed six months if the accused has dependents. Any amount of pay or allowances that would be forfeited under subsection (a) shall be paid to the dependents of the accused.

(c) Sentence no longer effective.--If an enlisted member is forced to forfeit pay and allowances under subsection (a) and the sentence which led to the forfeiture is later set aside, disapproved or, as finally approved, does not include confinement for more than six months or confinement for six months or less and a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge or dismissal, the member shall be paid the pay and allowances which he would have been paid for the period during which the forfeiture was in effect.