[Air Force Member's Claim for Housing Allowances]

The Department of Defense (DOD) requested a decision regarding an Air Force member's claim for basic allowance for quarters (BAQ-W) and variable housing allowance (VHA-W) at the rates for a member with dependents. DOD advised that the claimant had partial legal custody of his dependent and paid monthly child support. GAO held that the claimant was not entitled to: (1) BAQ-W, since his child support payments did not equal or exceed the difference between BAQ-W and the regular allowance and his dependent did not reside with him for a continuous period in excess of 3 months; or (2) VHA-W, since his dependent did not reside with him for a continuous period in excess of 3 months. Accordingly, the claim was denied.