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Frequently Asked Questions
Difficult to Staff Incentive Differential (also known as Service Need Differential)


1. Q:  What is the Difficult to Staff Incentive Differential (DTSID), also known as the Service Need Differential (SND)?

A:  The DTSID/SND is an additional up to 15% over basic compensation that may be paid periodically (such as biweekly) or in a lump sum (such as yearly) as determined by each agency.  The head of an agency or designee may grant this differential to an employee permanently assigned to a post with a post hardship differential of 5% or higher upon a determination that especially adverse conditions of environment warrant additional pay as a recruitment and retention incentive to fill the employee's position at that post.  For more information, see DSSR 1000.  

2. Q: Which posts are designated as DTSID/SND posts?

A: Each agency is responsible for establishing its own list of DTSID/SND locations/positions. For the Department of State, a list of the posts currently designated as SND posts can be found on the Global Talent Management/Career Development (GTM/CDA) intranet web site. It is updated each year prior to the bidding cycle. For other agencies, contact your Personnel Office. 

Last updated 8/16/2022