U.S. Department of State

The Foreign Service Assignment Notebook: What Do I Do Now?
Foreign Service employees and family members should read Chapter 3, ALLOWANCES and BENEFITS, from the helpful publication Foreign Service Assignment Notebook: What Do I Do Now? This chapter explains explanations of the following allowances:

• Before Departure from the United States (Advance of Pay Allowance, Foreign Transfer Allowance, Miscellaneous Expenses, Pre-departure Subsistence Expenses, Wardrobe Expenses, Lease Penalty Expenses, Separate Maintenance Allowance, Travel Per Diem Allowance),
• While in a Foreign Area (Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance, Living Quarters Allowance, Extraordinary Quarters Allowance, Post (Cost of Living) Allowance, Post (Hardship) Differential, Difficult to Staff Incentive Differential, Danger Pay Allowance, Education Allowance, Educational Travel, Representation Allowance, Official Residence Expenses),
• When Returning to the United States (Home Service Transfer Allowance and Evacuation Payments).

Office of Allowances

The Department of State Office of Allowances develops and coordinates policies, regulations, standards, and procedures to administer the government-wide allowances and benefits program abroad under the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR). Employees and family members should review their website for the most up-to-date information, including:

• Summary of Allowances
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Allowances by Location

Allowances to consider when bidding or assigned to a new post overseas include:

• Post (Cost of Living) Allowance
• Post (Hardship) Differential
• Living Quarters Allowance
• Education Allowance
  • DSSR 270: Education Allowance - Detailed Information
  • DSSR 270: FAQs
• Danger Pay Allowance
• Foreign Per Diem Rates
• Difficult to Staff Incentive Differential

If you are traveling overseas on official assignment for the first time, consider the following allowances:

• Advance of Pay Allowance
• Foreign Transfer Allowance
• Separate Maintenance Allowance (if applicable)

If returning from an overseas assignment to the United States, consider the following allowance:

• Home Service Transfer Allowance

For evacuation allowances, review the guidance from the Office of Allowances:

• Frequently Asked Questions on Evacuation