The amount of LQA which may be reimbursed shall be the lesser of either the actual amount of allowable expenses incurred by the employee or the maximum rates authorized by the DSSR. Computations are based on the quarter's group, number of dependents and post of assignment. Personally owned quarters (POQ) are paid at a rate of 10% of the purchase price plus utilities for up to 10 years. After the 10 year limit is reached only the utilities on the POQ are paid. The amount paid for a POQ by the government will not exceed the maximum authorized rates.
CHRA will process requests in the order received, they will determine your authorized LQA amount and forward the authorization for payment to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Payroll Office for processing. You should receive payment for LQA in the paycheck for the first full pay period following the pay period in which the authorization was processed.
If at any time you determine that your LQA is too low or too high due to higher utility rates, you may request an adjustment. This is accomplished by completing and submitting a new SF-1190 through DAPS and providing receipts or other supporting documents for the requested adjustment. Please note that if your expenses exceed your maximum allowed LQA, your LQA can not be adjusted to a higher rate.
The costs of the following are not authorized as an allowable LQA expense:
To initiate or modify payment of LQA, you must submit a completed SF 1190, Foreign Allowances Application, Grant and Report, LQA Annual Interim Expenditures Worksheet through the DoDEA Allowance Processing System (DAPS) and a copy of your rental/lease agreement or purchase agreement, if you bought or own your quarters. On your initial request for LQA, you may estimate your utilities, but be careful not to overestimate, as you will be required to return any overpayment of LQA to the Federal government.
If the Purchase Contract or Lease is not in English it should be officially translated so accurate payments are rendered. See Mandatory Utilization of Housing Offices Memo Dated 27-MAY-2020
You will be required to reconcile your quarters expenses one year after you initially move into economy quarters and within one year of a subsequent move to new economy quarters. After the first year you may request a voluntary reconciliation at any time to have the utilities portion of LQA more accurately reflect your costs. Please not that you will not be able to receive additional funds if you are at or exceeding the maximum allowable expenses.
You may claim dependent children residing with you at your post of assignment until they reach age 21. It is your responsibility to promptly request an adjustment to your LQA authorization when you have a change in family status, such as a child reaching age 21, addition of new family member or your spouse's permanent departure from the post.
The following must be provided when adding dependents:
Flight itinerary showing the arrival date in foreign country (if applicable) and/or: