All civilians affected by LQA error to benefit from 12-month grace period

[The Patriot]

All civilians affected by LQA error to benefit from 12-month grace period

05-09-2013 12:45 AM

Buying a home with LQA or OHA
Error could force civilian employees in Europe to repay housing allowances
DOD extends housing allowance for some civilian employees


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Housing
Overseas
Living Quarters Allowance
12-month Extension



All civilians affected by LQA error to benefit from 12-month grace period


by: Capt. William A. Russell
USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs
published: May 09, 2013

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RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The Department of Defense approved a 12-month extension of living quarters allowance (LQA) May 3 for 17 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa civilian employees who were erroneously receiving the payment.

According to a recent DOD audit of overseas LQA, a total of 68 USAFE-AFAFRICA civilian employees were receiving the erroneous payments. Of these, 51 employees had already qualified for the extension.

Erroneous LQA payments typically must be repaid, but the circumstances behind these cases warrant the individuals to apply for a waiver of indebtedness. In addition to waivers, USAFE-AFAFRICA leadership is pursuing other ways to lessen the impact on affected employees.

"Coping with the cascading repercussions of this error is a significant challenge for our affected Airmen," said Lt. Gen. Tom Jones, USAFE-AFAFRICA vice commander. "I'm committed to continue to work with headquarters at the air staff and examine every option and opportunity we have, to minimize and mitigate the impact to our employees' personal and professional lives."

"USAFE-AFAFRICA has been successful at securing the 12-month extended coverage of LQA to all civilians adversely affected by the audit findings," said Monique Botting, USAFE-AFAFRICA Personnel Division chief. "Now the focus has shifted to presenting and defending the need for additional flexibilities and policy waivers in the areas that are potentially impacted by loss of LQA, such as transportation agreements, renewal agreement travel, student travel, and home leave."

The civilian personnel offices will continue to work with each affected employee to make sure they receive all information necessary for this process, Botting added. Human resources experts will be available to answer questions regarding relocation to a different housing arrangement, stateside job prospects and resignation options. Additionally, they can provide access to a USAFE Intranet site that consolidates a wealth of information on the issue.

Along with being a resource for information, these experts will direct employees to support providers including chaplain services, family advocacy centers, Airman and family readiness centers and housing offices to help with adjustment and personal needs.

Added Jones, "We understand that this transition will be extremely difficult, but I want all our employees to know that we are trying to find every way possible to help you through this tough challenge."

LQA, a tax-free allowance, is intended to substantially cover the costs of rent and utilities for government and civilian employee working overseas.

The average LQA payment for USAFE-AFAFRICA employees is $35,000 annually.

For more information, please contact your local civilian personnel office.


Tags: 12-month Extension, Allowance, Housing, Living Quarters Allowance, LQA, LQA Error, Overseas, RAF Alconbury, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, News
Related Content: Buying a home with LQA or OHA, Error could force civilian employees in Europe to repay housing allowances, DOD extends housing allowance for some civilian employees






All civilians affected by LQA error to benefit from 12-month grace period


by: Capt. William A. Russell
USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs
published:

Share This:


Tweet

Comments
Email
Print


RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The Department of Defense approved a 12-month extension of living quarters allowance (LQA) May 3 for 17 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa civilian employees who were erroneously receiving the payment.

According to a recent DOD audit of overseas LQA, a total of 68 USAFE-AFAFRICA civilian employees were receiving the erroneous payments. Of these, 51 employees had already qualified for the extension.

Erroneous LQA payments typically must be repaid, but the circumstances behind these cases warrant the individuals to apply for a waiver of indebtedness. In addition to waivers, USAFE-AFAFRICA leadership is pursuing other ways to lessen the impact on affected employees.

"Coping with the cascading repercussions of this error is a significant challenge for our affected Airmen," said Lt. Gen. Tom Jones, USAFE-AFAFRICA vice commander. "I'm committed to continue to work with headquarters at the air staff and examine every option and opportunity we have, to minimize and mitigate the impact to our employees' personal and professional lives."

"USAFE-AFAFRICA has been successful at securing the 12-month extended coverage of LQA to all civilians adversely affected by the audit findings," said Monique Botting, USAFE-AFAFRICA Personnel Division chief. "Now the focus has shifted to presenting and defending the need for additional flexibilities and policy waivers in the areas that are potentially impacted by loss of LQA, such as transportation agreements, renewal agreement travel, student travel, and home leave."

The civilian personnel offices will continue to work with each affected employee to make sure they receive all information necessary for this process, Botting added. Human resources experts will be available to answer questions regarding relocation to a different housing arrangement, stateside job prospects and resignation options. Additionally, they can provide access to a USAFE Intranet site that consolidates a wealth of information on the issue.

Along with being a resource for information, these experts will direct employees to support providers including chaplain services, family advocacy centers, Airman and family readiness centers and housing offices to help with adjustment and personal needs.

Added Jones, "We understand that this transition will be extremely difficult, but I want all our employees to know that we are trying to find every way possible to help you through this tough challenge."

LQA, a tax-free allowance, is intended to substantially cover the costs of rent and utilities for government and civilian employee working overseas.

The average LQA payment for USAFE-AFAFRICA employees is $35,000 annually.

For more information, please contact your local civilian personnel office.


Tags: 12-month Extension, Allowance, Housing, Living Quarters Allowance, LQA, LQA Error, Overseas, RAF Alconbury, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, News
Related Content: Buying a home with LQA or OHA, Error could force civilian employees in Europe to repay housing allowances, DOD extends housing allowance for some civilian employees







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