SGT Private RallyPoint Member8445813<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Greetings everyone, I just have one question about COLA and BAH. Long story short I took parental leave and travel back to the US from Germany. After I came back from leave, this month LES I had to pay back some debt from the COLA that I was receiving when I was on leave. So do I supposed to get BAH for the location I was on leave when I had my COLA taken away for that 3 months? TIA Do I get partial BAH if going on leave for more than 30 days back to the US from overseas since my COLA was taken away?2023-08-29T07:57:51-04:00SGT Private RallyPoint Member8445813<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Greetings everyone, I just have one question about COLA and BAH. Long story short I took parental leave and travel back to the US from Germany. After I came back from leave, this month LES I had to pay back some debt from the COLA that I was receiving when I was on leave. So do I supposed to get BAH for the location I was on leave when I had my COLA taken away for that 3 months? TIA Do I get partial BAH if going on leave for more than 30 days back to the US from overseas since my COLA was taken away?2023-08-29T07:57:51-04:002023-08-29T07:57:51-04:00CSM Darieus ZaGara8445900<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You will continue to draw BAH.Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 29 at 2023 8:48 AM2023-08-29T08:48:28-04:002023-08-29T08:48:28-04:00COL Randall C.8445928<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Short answer: No. You're mixing apples and oranges.<br /><br />You likely had a decrease in COLA because DOD put new rules* in effect, starting May 15th.<br /><br />BAH is based on your permanently assigned location, not a leave or temporary duty location. Specifically, partial BAH is for servicemembers who live in government provided quarters but don't have dependents (i.e., barracks, etc.)<br />----------------------------------------------------<br />* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Overseas-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/">https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Overseas-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default">
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<a target="blank" href="https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Overseas-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/"> Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance | COLA | Defense Travel Management Office</a>
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<p class="pta-link-card-description">Service members serving outside of the continental United States (OCONUS) where the cost of living is higher than CONUS receive an Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA). Overseas COLA is a non-taxable allowance designed to offset higher prices of non-housing goods and services OCONUS and equalize purchasing power with members stationed in CONUS. It does not reimburse expenses, compensate for remoteness, hardship, loss of spousal income, or...</p>
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Response by COL Randall C. made Aug 29 at 2023 8:57 AM2023-08-29T08:57:05-04:002023-08-29T08:57:05-04:002023-08-29T07:57:51-04:00