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Servicemembers assigned in Europe have the opportunity to complete the 2008 Overseas Housing Allowance Survey, which will be conducted until April 17.
Annually, the Per Diem Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee uses the data – such as utility and recurring maintenance expenses – to compute allowances for troops worldwide.
The survey will be made available to all servicemembers who receive OHA, live in privately-leased quarters and have a year’s worth of OHA records, including catch-up payments when applicable.
This year, the survey will be available only on the Internet, as there will be no paper format, said Master Sgt. Rhonda Thomas-Evans, 266th Finance Command.
“Responses can only be made via computer,” she noted. “An unfinished survey can be saved and completed later. But the unfinished survey can be accessed only from the same computer from which it was started.”
The survey is available at http://266fincom1.hqusareur.army.mil/.
Sergeant Thomas-Evans said the average survey completion time will vary; however, “you should allow at least 30 minutes. Actual time will depend on the individual’s monthly expenses that are reported and calculated during the survey.”
The survey directs responders to report their average monthly cost for utilities and routine maintenance. It is important that accurate figures be provided in the OHA Survey.
“OHA is a valuable entitlement for members who are stationed overseas,” Sergeant Thomas-Evans said. “The information you provide could be instrumental in setting the rate for your area.”
Therefore, she recommends that servicemembers use saved records and receipts to accurately determine the amounts actually spent.
Additionally, completion time can be reduced if people have their monthly rental and utility expenses for the past year readily available prior to starting the survey.
(Courtesy of HQ U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Europe Region)
