Overseas Housing Allowance Survey

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Josh Ockens
  • 51st Comptroller Squadron financial services flight chief
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Would you like to have a direct impact on how much money you receive each month?

For service members who have been living off base for at least three months and are entitled to an overseas housing allowance here in Korea, this is your chance. Beginning April 1, members can respond to a survey that is used to adjust the OHA, utility and move-in housing allowance rates for the Osan Air Base locale.

The annual survey will collect data on rent and average monthly expenses for utilities such as gas, water, electricity, trash, maintenance or insurance fees. Respondents should use an average monthly expense to account for fluctuations due to weather, such as higher gas bills in the winter and higher electrical bills during the summer months.

The data collected will be forwarded to the Allowances Branch of the Defense Travel Management Office, who uses it to set annual rates. By providing accurate data, members will help ensure rates remain fair and reflect the actual cost of living off base.

The survey can be accessed from work or home at http://175fmc.korea.army.mil from April 1 to 30. To view current rates, visit the DTMO website at: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/oha.cfm and use the OHA calculator.

A second survey, to set and adjust cost of living allowances will be conducted later this year.

If you have any questions about the survey, pay or allowances, contact the 51st Comptroller Squadron customer service section at 784-1851 or visit Bldg. 938 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Answers to finance questions are also available 24 hours a day by logging on to the Air Force Portal and clicking on Virtual Finance.