[Request for Decision Concerning Payment of Station Allowances for Dependents]

GAO was asked whether a service member, whose dependents were moved at Government expense to Hawaii during his assignment at that location and continued to reside there after he was assigned to a permanent duty station in the United States, could be paid station allowances upon his subsequent reassignment to a permanent duty station in a restricted area outside the United States. GAO has held that no authority exists for payment of overseas housing allowances or cost-of-living allowances for dependents if the dependents' residence outside the continental United States is a matter of personal choice and has no connection with the member's duty assignment. Since the dependents elected to remain in Hawaii for personal reasons not connected with the military member's duties, GAO found that they were not entitled to any increase in living costs. Accordingly, the payment of station allowances could not be allowed during his overseas assignment.