Defense Civilian Compensation: DOD and OPM Could Improve the Consistency of DOD's Eligibility Determinations for Living Quarters Allowances
Abstract
DOD provides LQA as an incentive to recruit eligible individuals for civilian employee assignments overseas. In 2014 DOD spent almost $504 million on LQA for about 16,500 civilian employees to help defray overseas living expenses, such as rent and utilities. GAO was asked to review DOD s implementation of LQA policies for overseas employees. This report evaluates the extent to which (1) DOD has clarified its LQA eligibility requirements and is monitoring its components LQA eligibility determinations; and (2) DOD, State, and OPM have helped ensure consistency in the interpretation of LQA eligibility requirements. GAO reviewed the DSSR, DOD s LQA Instruction, and OPM compensation claim decisions. GAO interviewed DOD, State, and OPM officials responsible for overseeing, implementing, or interpreting LQA eligibility requirements, including a nongeneralizable sample of 15 DOD local human resource offices in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Pacific Command areas of responsibility selected based on the number of employees determined to have been erroneously paid LQA in DOD s 2013 LQA audit. GAO recommends DOD monitor components reviews of LQA eligibility determinations and discuss concerns about DSSR LQA eligibility requirements with State. GAO also recommends that OPM develop timeframes for the timely web posting of its decisions. DOD and OPM concurred with GAO s recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA619967
Entities
People
- Alissa Czyz
- Amie Lesser
- Biza Repko
- Johana Ayers
- Lorraine Ettaro
- Nick Benne
- Susannah Hawthorne
- Tina W. Sherman
- Tom Costa
- Tracy Barnes
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office