[Decision Concerning Air Force Member's Entitlement to Basic Allowance for Quarters at With-Dependent Rate]
Highlights
The Air Force requested an advance decision regarding whether a member was entitled to a retroactive basic allowance for quarters at the with-dependent rate for a period during which he made child support payments to his ex-wife, who was also an Air Force member. The member contended that his failure to claim the with-dependent rate at the beginning of the period in question was due to erroneous advice which he received from his base financial officers. GAO held that the: (1) financial officers incorrectly informed the member that he was not entitled to the with-dependent rate; and (2) member did not pursue the claim earlier because of the erroneous advice. Accordingly, the member was entitled to receive retroactive basic allowance for quarters at the with-dependent rate.