Living Quarters Allowance
Living Quarters Allowance (LQA): This allowance is granted to an employee to help defray the
annual cost of suitable, adequate living quarters for the employee and his/her
family at a foreign post where government-leased or -owned housing is not
provided. The LQA rates are designed to substantially cover the average
employee's costs for rent, utilities, required taxes levied by the local
government, and other allowable expenses. Living quarters allowance rates are
categorized by "quarters groups" based on the employee's grade level or rank
and his/her family size. Additional amounts of up to 10%, 20%, or 30% above the
LQA rates may be allowed for larger families. For further information on LQA see DSSR 130. DSSR 136 contains guidance for employees occupying personally-owned quarters.
Special Quarters Allowance
Attention all USG Agencies with civilian employees assigned to
foreign posts who are receiving a Living Quarters Allowance (LQA). Pursuant to DSSR 013, to address the unusual circumstances
caused by escalating utility expenses that are not covered under the current
LQA rates, the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Administration (A)
has approved a 12-month special quarters allowance of up to ten percent for LQA
locations for allowable utility expenses. The 12-month period commences on December 18,
2022 and ends effective the end of the pay period December 16, 2023. Example: If an employee's yearly LQA maximum
is $24,000 an agency may reimburse an employee an additional yearly amount of
up to $2,400 for utility expenses. This
amounts to a monthly relief of up to $200 or a biweekly relief of up to $92.31.
Agencies should review DSSR 134.16 for
reconciliation of actual expenses incurred by the employee versus what has been
disbursed. Note to Department of State
LQA locations: this special quarters allowance may be applied with the
understanding that relevant cost increases would be paid from within existing
post or bureau resources. Posts should contact their Bureaus for authorization
and the reconciliation of actual expenses.
FORMS: