---
kind: "range"
citation: "5 U.S.C. §§ 5921–5928"
title: "5"
from: "5921"
to: "5928"
count: 8
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/5921..5928"
---

# §5921. Definitions


For the purpose of this subchapter—

- (1) “Government” means the Government of the United States;
- (2) “agency” means an [Executive agency](/usc/5/3330d.md?p=a-2-A) and the Library of Congress, but does not include a [Government](#1) controlled corporation;
- (3) “employee” means an employee in or under an [agency](#2) and more specifically defined by regulations prescribed by the President;
- (4) “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, means the several States and the District of Columbia;
- (5) “continental United States” means the several States and the District of Columbia, but does not include Alaska or Hawaii; and
- (6) “foreign area” means—
  - (A) the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; and
  - (B) any other area outside the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Canal Zone, and territories and possessions of the United States.

# §5922. General provisions

- (a) Notwithstanding [section 5536 of this title](/usc/5/5536.md) and except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, the allowances and differentials authorized by this subchapter may be granted to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) officially stationed in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6)—
  - (1) who is a citizen of the United States; and
  - (2) whose rate of basic pay is fixed by statute or, without taking into consideration the allowances and differentials provided by this subchapter, is fixed by administrative action pursuant to law or is fixed administratively in conformity with rates paid by the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) for work of a comparable level of difficulty and responsibility in the [continental United States](/usc/5/5921.md?p=5).

  To the extent authorized by a provision of statute other than this subchapter, the allowances and differentials provided by this subchapter may be paid to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) officially stationed in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6) who is not a citizen of the United States.

- (b) Allowances granted under this subchapter may be paid in advance, or advance of funds may be made therefor, through the proper disbursing official in such sums as are considered advisable in consideration of the need and the period of time during which expenditures must be made in advance by the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3). An advance of funds not subsequently covered by allowances accrued to the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) under this subchapter is recoverable by the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) by—
  - (1) setoff against accrued pay, compensation, amount of retirement credit, or other amount due the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) from the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1); and
  - (2) such other method as is provided by law for the recovery of amounts owing to the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1).

  The head of the [agency](/usc/5/5921.md?p=2) concerned, under regulations of the President, may waive in whole or in part a right of recovery under this subsection, if it is shown that the recovery would be against equity and good conscience or against the public interest.

- (c) The allowances and differentials authorized by this subchapter shall be paid under regulations prescribed by the President governing—
  - (1) payments of the allowances and differentials and the respective rates at which the payments are made;
  - (2) the [foreign areas](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6), the groups of [positions](/usc/5/5531.md?p=2), and the categories of [employees](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) to which the rates apply; and
  - (3) other related matters.
- (d) When a quarters allowance or allowance related to education under this subchapter, or quarters furnished in [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1)-owned or controlled buildings under [section 5912](/usc/5/5912.md), would be furnished to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) but for the death of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3), such allowances or quarters may be furnished or continued for the purpose of allowing any child of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) to complete the current school year at post or away from post notwithstanding the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3)’s death.
- (e) When an allowance related to education away from post under this subchapter would be authorized with respect to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) but for the evacuation or authorized departure status of the post, such an allowance may be furnished or continued for the purpose of allowing any dependent children of such [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) to complete the current school year.
- (f)
  - (1) If an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) dies at post in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6), a transfer allowance under [section 5924(2)(B)](/usc/5/5924.md?p=2-B) may be granted to the spouse or dependents of such [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) (or both) for the purpose of providing for their return to the United States.
  - (2) A transfer allowance under this subsection may not be granted with respect to the spouse or a dependent of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) unless, at the time of death, such spouse or dependent was residing—
    - (A) at the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3)’s post of assignment; or
    - (B) at a place, outside the United States, for which a separate maintenance allowance was being furnished under [section 5924(3)](/usc/5/5924.md?p=3).
  - (3) The President may prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out this subsection.

# §5923. Quarters allowances

- (a) When [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) owned or rented quarters are not provided without charge for an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6), one or more of the following quarters allowances may be granted when applicable:
  - (1) A temporary subsistence allowance for the reasonable cost of temporary quarters (including meals and laundry expenses) incurred by the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) and his family—
    - (A) for a period not in excess of 90 days after first arrival at a new post of assignment in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6) or a period ending with the occupation of residence quarters, whichever is shorter; and
    - (B) for a period of not more than 30 days immediately before final departure from the post after the necessary evacuation of residence quarters.
  - (2) A living quarters allowance for rent, heat, light, fuel, gas, electricity, and water, without regard to section [3324(a)](/usc/31/3324.md?p=a) and [(b)](/usc/31/3324.md?p=b) of title 31.
  - (3) Under unusual circumstances, payment or reimbursement for extraordinary, necessary, and reasonable expenses, not otherwise compensated for, incurred in initial repairs, alterations, and improvements to the privately leased residence of an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) at a post of assignment in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6), if—
    - (A) the expenses are administratively approved in advance; and
    - (B) the duration and terms of the lease justify payment of the expenses by the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1).
- (b) The 90-day period under [subsection (a)(1)(A)](#a-1-A) and the 30-day period under [subsection (a)(1)(B)](#a-1-B) may each be extended for not more than 60 additional days if the head of the [agency](/usc/5/5921.md?p=2) concerned or his designee determines that there are compelling reasons beyond the control of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) for the continued occupancy of temporary quarters.

# §5924. Cost-of-living allowances


The following cost-of-living allowances may be granted, when applicable, to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6):

- (1) A post allowance to offset the difference between the cost of living at the post of assignment of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6) and the cost of living in the District of Columbia, except that [employees](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) receiving the temporary subsistence allowance under [section 5923(1)](/usc/5/5923.md) are ineligible for a post allowance under this paragraph.
- (2) A transfer allowance for extraordinary, necessary, and reasonable subsistence and other relocation expenses (including unavoidable lease penalties), not otherwise compensated for, incurred by an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) incident to establishing himself at a post of assignment in—
  - (A) a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6) (including costs incurred in the United States, its territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the areas and installations in the Republic of Panama made available to the United States pursuant to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements prior to departure for a post of assignment in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6)); or
  - (B) the United States after the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) agrees in writing to remain in [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) [service](/usc/5/8331.md?p=12) for 12 months after transfer, unless separated for reasons beyond the control of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) that are acceptable to the [agency](/usc/5/5921.md?p=2) concerned.
- (3) A separate maintenance allowance to assist an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) who is compelled or authorized, because of dangerous, notably unhealthful, or excessively adverse living conditions at the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3)’s post of assignment in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6), or for the convenience of the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1), or who requests such an allowance because of special needs or hardship involving the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) or the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3)’s spouse or dependents, to meet the additional expenses of maintaining, elsewhere than at the post, the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3)’s spouse or dependents, or both.
- (4) An education allowance or payment of travel costs to assist an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) with the extraordinary and necessary expenses, not otherwise compensated for, incurred because of his [service](/usc/5/8331.md?p=12) in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6) or [foreign areas](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6) in providing adequate education for his dependents (or, to the extent education away from post is involved, official assignment to [service](/usc/5/8331.md?p=12) in such area or areas), as follows:
  - (A) An allowance not to exceed the cost of obtaining such kindergarten, elementary and secondary educational [services](/usc/5/8331.md?p=12) as are ordinarily provided without charge by the public schools in the United States (including such educational [services](/usc/5/8331.md?p=12) as are provided by the States under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), plus, in those cases when adequate schools are not available at the post of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3), [board](/usc/5/8401.md?p=5) and room, and periodic transportation between that post and the school chosen by the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3), not to exceed the total cost to the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) of the dependent attending an adequate school in the nearest United States locality where an adequate school is available, without regard to section [3324(a)](/usc/31/3324.md?p=a) and [(b)](/usc/31/3324.md?p=b) of title 31. When travel from school to post is infeasible, travel may be allowed between the school attended and the home of a designated relative or family friend or to join a parent at any location, with the allowable travel expense not to exceed the cost of travel between the school and the post. The amount of the allowance granted shall be determined on the basis of the educational facility used.
  - (B) The travel expenses of dependents of an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) to and from a secondary or post-secondary educational institution, not to exceed one annual trip each way for each dependent, except that an allowance payment under [subparagraph (A)](#4-A) may not be made for a dependent during the 12 months following the arrival of the dependent at the selected educational institution under [authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) contained in this subparagraph.
  - (C) In those cases in which an adequate school is available at the post of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3), if the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) chooses to educate the dependent at a school away from post, the education allowance which includes [board](/usc/5/8401.md?p=5) and room, and periodic travel between the post and the school chosen, shall not exceed the total cost to the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) of the dependent attending an adequate school at the post of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3).
  - (D) Allowances provided pursuant to subparagraphs [(A)](#4-A) and [(B)](#4-B) may include, at the election of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3), payment or reimbursement of the costs incurred to store baggage for the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3)’s dependent at or in the vicinity of the dependent’s school during one trip per year by the dependent between the school and the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3)’s duty station, except that such payment or reimbursement may not exceed the cost that the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) would incur to transport the baggage in connection with the trip, and such payment or reimbursement shall be in lieu of transportation of the baggage.

# §5925. Post differentials

- (a) A post differential may be granted on the basis of conditions of environment which differ substantially from conditions of environment in the [continental United States](/usc/5/5921.md?p=5) and warrant additional pay as a recruitment and retention incentive. A post differential may be granted to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) officially stationed in the United States who is on extended detail in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6). A post differential under this subsection may not exceed 35 percent of the rate of basic pay.
- (b) Any [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) granted a differential under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section may be granted an additional differential for an assignment to a post determined to have especially adverse conditions of environment which warrant additional pay as a recruitment and retention incentive for the filling of [positions](/usc/5/5531.md?p=2) at that post. An additional differential for any [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) under this subsection—
  - (1) may be paid for each assignment to a post determined to have such conditions;
  - (2) may be paid periodically or in a lump sum; and
  - (3) may not exceed 15 percent of the rate of basic pay of that [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) for the period served under that assignment.

# §5926. Compensatory time off at certain posts in foreign areas

- (a) Under regulations prescribed pursuant to this subchapter, and notwithstanding subchapter V of [chapter 55](/usc/5/chptIII-sptD-ch55.md) of this title or any other law, the head of an [agency](/usc/5/5921.md?p=2) may, on request of an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) serving in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6)—
  - (1) at an isolated post performing functions required to be maintained on a substantially continuous basis, grant the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) compensatory time off for an equal amount of time spent in regularly scheduled overtime work; or
  - (2) at a post in a locality that customarily observes irregular hours of work or where other special conditions are present, in order to cope with those special circumstances, grant the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) compensatory time off for an equal amount of time spent in regularly scheduled overtime work for use during the pay period in which it is earned.

  Credit for compensatory time off earned under [paragraph (2)](#a-2) shall not form the basis for any additional compensation.

- (b) Compensatory time earned under this section shall be for use only while the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) is assigned to the post where it is earned. Any such compensatory time not used at the time the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) is reassigned to another post shall be forfeited.

# §5927. Advances of pay

- (a) Up to three months’ pay may be paid in advance—
  - (1) to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) upon the assignment of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) to a post in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6);
  - (2) to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3), other than an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) appointed under section 303 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (and employed under [section 311](/usc/5/311.md) of such Act), who—
    - (A) is a citizen of the United States;
    - (B) is officially stationed or located outside the United States pursuant to [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) authorization; and
    - (C) requires (or has a family [member](/usc/5/5531.md?p=1) who requires) medical treatment outside the United States, in circumstances specified by the President in regulations; and
  - (3) to an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) compensated pursuant to section 408 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, who—
    - (A) pursuant to United States [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1) authorization is located outside the [country of employment](#b); and
    - (B) requires medical treatment outside the [country of employment](#b) in circumstances specified by the President in regulations.
- (b) For the purpose of this section, the term “country of employment”, as used with respect to an individual under [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3), means the country (or other area) outside the United States where such individual is hired (as described in [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3)) by the [Government](/usc/5/5921.md?p=1).

# §5928. Danger pay allowance


An [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) serving in a [foreign area](/usc/5/5921.md?p=6) may be granted a danger pay allowance on the basis of civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism, or wartime conditions which threaten physical harm or imminent danger to the health or well-being of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3). A danger pay allowance may not exceed 35 percent of the basic pay of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3), except that if an [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) is granted an additional differential under [section 5925(b) of this title](/usc/5/5925.md?p=b) with respect to an assignment, the sum of that additional differential and any danger pay allowance granted to the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3) with respect to that assignment may not exceed 35 percent of the basic pay of the [employee](/usc/5/5921.md?p=3). The presence of nonessential personnel or dependents shall not preclude payment of an allowance under this section. In each instance where an allowance under this section is initiated or terminated, the Secretary of State shall inform the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate of the action taken and the circumstances justifying it.