MS 221: Volunteer Allowances

Table of Contents

Attachments

Table of Contents

4.1    Policy

4.2    Amount of Settling-in Allowance

4.3    Ownership of Items Purchased with Settling-in Allowance

4.4    Procedures

5.1    Policy

5.2    Legitimate expenses

5.3    Payment Schedule

5.4    Payment Currency

5.5    Determining Payment Amounts

5.5.1    Volunteer Living Allowance Survey

5.5.2    Independent Survey

5.5.3    Living Allowance Increases

5.5.4    Effective Date and Retroactive Application

5.5.5    Temporary Increases

5.6    Partial Payment for Close of Service Volunteers

5.7    Overpayments

5.8    Payment of Living Allowance to Volunteers on Medevac or Medical Hold

5.9    Payment of Living Allowances to Volunteers on Emergency Leave

5.10  Discontinuation of Living Allowance During Administrative Hold

5.11  Special Living Allowances

5.11.1    Guard Service

5.11.2    Head of Household Volunteers

6.1    Use of Single Payment System

6.1.1    Implementation of the Single Check or EFT System

6.1.2    Implementation of the Postal Money Order System

6.1.3    Documentation

6.1.4    Voucher Preparation Procedures

6.1.5    Changes to the Multiple Payment List

6.1.6    Control of Checks

6.1.7    Reconciliation

6.2    Use of Other Systems for Payment of Volunteer Allowance

6.3    Close-out of Volunteer Accounts

8.1    In-Country Travel Allowance

8.2    En-Route Allowance

8.3    Travel Restrictions and Limitations

9.1    Daily Allowances in the United States

9.1.1    Current rates

9.1.2    Administrative or Medical Hold

9.1.3    Emergency Leave

9.1.4    Special Leave Allowance

9.1.5    Medevacs to the United States

9.1.6    Medevacs to a Regional Medevac Point

9.1.7    Other Daily Allowances for Volunteers while in the United States

9.2    Daily Allowances in Third Countries and Country of Assignment

10.1    Policy

10.2    Amount

10.3    Limitations

Attachments

1.0 Authority

2.0 Purpose

3.0 Definitions

3.1 Settling-in Allowances are allowances paid to newly assigned Volunteers for necessary housing supplies, clothing, and equipment.

 

3.2 Living Allowances are allowances paid to Volunteers for their support while in their country of assignment.

 

3.3 Daily Allowances are allowances paid to Volunteers to cover the cost of meals, lodging, and/or incidental expenses after arrival at a location outside their country of assignment.

 

3.4 Travel Allowances are allowances paid to Volunteers to cover the cost of incidental expenses during in-country travel and travel outside their country of assignment, during the time the Volunteers are in transit.

 

3.4 Annual Leave Allowances are allowances paid to Volunteers for annual leave expenses.

 

3.5 Evacuation Allowances are allowances paid to Volunteers who are terminated within six months of their enter-on-duty date due to an evacuation or unplanned suspension of a country program.

4.0 Settling-in Allowances

4.1 Policy

Upon initial settlement in their country of assignment, Volunteers are provided a settling-in allowance to purchase necessary housing supplies, clothing and equipment. This allows them to be involved immediately in their communities and gives them freedom to manage their own affairs. Volunteers are encouraged to purchase items available locally and to restrict their purchases to genuine needs. When a Volunteer is reassigned to another location, an additional settling-in allowance may be authorized if the Country Director believes it is justified.

4.2 Amount of Settling-in Allowance

In order to determine the appropriate amount of the settling-in allowance, the post shall conduct surveys on the prices and items commonly purchased by Volunteers with the allowance for each incoming group of Volunteers. The survey process requires Volunteers to complete the Settling-in Allowance Volunteer Survey (Volunteer Survey) (see Attachment A) within three months after receipt of the allowance. The CD shall analyze the results of the survey within 90 days of receipt of the survey and determine whether an increase or decrease in the amount is justified for the next group of Volunteers.   

The Country Director may grant increases not to exceed 10 percent per fiscal year. The CD must justify the increase by filling out Attachment B, Analysis and Request for Change in Settling-in Allowances and notify the applicable Region prior to implementation to assure availability of funds.

All increases over 10% per fiscal year shall be approved by the Regional Director. To justify such increases, the CD must submit Attachment B. A survey response rate of a minimum of 50% is required to support an increase greater than 10%. The CD must also conduct an independent price survey, which gathers data from Peace Corps staff, host country representatives, available host country statistics, and information from the Volunteer Survey. The independent survey may consist of spot checks of prices of items, but it must be comprehensive enough to provide verification of price trends and support the analysis of the Volunteer Survey.

4.3 Ownership of Items Purchased with Settling-in Allowance

Supplies and equipment purchased with the settling-in allowance become the Volunteer's personal property. When Volunteers complete their tours, they should be asked by the Country Director to donate items in usable condition to appropriate institutions, such as schools or hospitals, other Volunteers, or the Peace Corps.

4.4 Procedures

For procedural guidance for settling-in allowances, refer to the Overseas Financial Management Handbook.

5.0 Volunteer Living Allowance

5.1 Policy

Volunteers are entitled to a living allowance in order that they may serve effectively and safely overseas. It is Peace Corps policy that Volunteers live modestly by the standards of the people they serve, yet not in a manner that would endanger their health or safety. Living allowances should be based on local living standards and costs and will thus vary among, and sometimes within, countries.

5.2 Legitimate expenses

Legitimate living allowance expenses include, but are not limited to:

(a) Housing consistent with local conditions and the housing of the people served. Whenever practical and economical, arrangements for living with host country nationals should be explored and developed. Frequently, host government agencies provide housing or housing allowances for Volunteers working in support of host country administered programs. In such cases, the amount of the living allowance should be adjusted downward accordingly and the amount should be included as a "Host Country Contribution" in accordance with MS 722. The housing amount may vary for individual Volunteers, depending on whether or not housing is provided by the sponsoring organization, the type of housing provided or other factors. The allowance received by each Volunteer should reflect the actual amount needed;

 

(b) Required utilities on a continuing basis;

 

(c) Domestic services only when it is both a local custom and a necessity;

 

(d) Household supplies, including expendable items, such as soap and kerosene, and the replacement of "soft goods," such as sheets and towels;

 

(e) Normal clothing replacement, consistent with wear and tear and climatic conditions;

 

(f) Food sufficient to support a nutritious and varied diet with maximum reliance on locally available food;

 

(g) Moderately priced local recreation and entertainment;

 

(h) Reading materials such as paperback books, magazines and newspapers;

 

(i) Travel between home and work and maintenance of a bicycle or other means of transportation, if necessary, but NOT if host country agencies have provided travel funds for the Volunteer whose assignment requires extensive traveling and NOT for medical travel. (Medical travel is funded separately through a medical travel allowance or individual reimbursement.); and

 

(j) Miscellaneous expenses such as postage, stationery and toiletries.

5.3 Payment Schedule

The living allowance shall be calculated and paid on a monthly basis unless an exception to this policy is approved in advance by the Chief Financial Officer with Regional Director concurrence.

5.4 Payment Currency

Allowances are budgeted, obligated, and paid in the currency of the host country. Any exception to this policy should be approved in advance by the Regional Director with concurrence from the Chief Financial Officer. If the currency is not that of the host country, approval will be given if it is in accordance with the prevailing practice of the U.S. Embassy.

5.5 Determining Payment Amounts

Posts shall conduct surveys to justify and determine changes to the amount of the living allowance for Volunteers utilizing the instructions and forms contained in Attachment C as a guide.

5.5.1 Volunteer Living Allowance Survey

At least annually, the post shall conduct a living allowance survey. This survey is intended to help the Country Director determine the most appropriate level of goods and services needed to ensure the health and effective service of Volunteers. It is essential that the survey establish a market basket of major legitimate living allowance items and their current prices so that subsequent surveys can track price changes of each market basket item identified in the survey.

5.5.2 Independent Survey

In order to verify the results of the living allowance survey and the resulting living allowance amount adopted by the Country Director, post staff shall, within three months after the conclusion of the Volunteer living allowance survey, conduct an independent survey using Form A (Market Basket Survey) of Attachment C. The independent survey shall review the survey results from the Volunteers to determine their actual use and costs of the various living allowance items. The survey shall also include information from surveys conducted by Peace Corps staff, host country representatives, or available host country statistics. The independent survey should cover all of the market basket items identified in the Volunteer living allowance survey. Spot checks of market basket items are permissible but must be comprehensive enough to provide verification of price trends. Subsequent surveys may be conducted throughout the year as necessitated by cost fluctuations.

5.5.3 Living Allowance Increases

Increases to the living allowance must be based on the findings of the Volunteer and independent surveys, after elimination of seasonal fluctuations and other temporary influences. A Volunteer survey response rate of a minimum of 75% is required to support an increase greater than 10%. No increase shall be approved based on the Volunteer survey alone. The Country Director may grant increases up to 10 % per fiscal year after notifying the Region of the increase to assure availability of funds. Increases greater than 10 % per fiscal year must be approved by the Regional Director, subject to the availability of funds.

5.5.4 Effective Date and Retroactive Application

Living allowance increases become effective upon approval by the Regional Director. However, the Country Director may approve a single retroactive payment to cover the lapsed period from completion of the Volunteer survey to the effective date of the increase, subject to the availability of funds.

5.5.5 Temporary Increases

In an emergency situation, the Country Director may authorize a temporary increase in the living allowance (in excess of 10%), after notifying the Regional Director by e-mail. Temporary increases are limited to a 90 day period. An emergency situation is characterized by a rapid decline in the purchasing power of the local currency caused by such situations as a sudden devaluation of the currency by the host country or an extraordinarily rapid rise in inflation, which adversely affect the health and safety of the Volunteers. Justification for the increase, including independent verification of the increased costs shall be submitted to the Regional Director as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after the effective date of the increase. If approved by the Regional Director, the increase shall become permanent either at the proposed rate, or at a lower rate approved by the Regional Director.

5.6 Partial Payment for Close of Service Volunteers

Payments for close-of-service Volunteers must be adjusted before the final check is authorized to ensure that the living allowance payments cover only the number of days in which the Volunteer served. In those cases where the termination date of an early termination is known in advance, calculation of the final living allowance payment must also be adjusted to cover through the last day of service. Where information is not available, the termination e-mail must note any overpayment. (See MS 223, Volunteer/Trainee Readjustment Allowance.)

 

5.7 Overpayments

Overpayments of in-country Volunteer allowances should be collected directly from the Volunteer. Overpayments should be recovered by direct payment from the Volunteer to the Collections Officer at the overseas post, who shall issue a receipt upon payment.

 

If direct payment by the Volunteer is not possible, the Collections Officer should request collection from the Volunteer's readjustment allowance, if the account remains open, by submitting a request to Volunteer Financial Operations (VFO) in the Volunteer's termination notification. (VFO is a subunit under OCFO/VPS). (See MS 223, Volunteer/Trainee Readjustment Allowance for Close of Service e-mail format, and Manual Section 284, Early Termination of Service).

 

Authorization from the Volunteer must be obtained on a signed Peace Corps Volunteer Certificate of Non-Indebtedness and Accountability for Property Form, No. PC-477 (See Attachment D). The signed PC-477 form must be kept on file at post.

 

If the Volunteer is separated outside of the assigned country for medical reasons, Special Services (VS/SS) will ensure that the Volunteer signs a PC-477 and that VFO receives the information.

 

In-country allowance overpayments recovered by VFO are returned to the Agency,

 

Collections which cannot be made from the Volunteer or from the readjustment allowance will be pursued by using the claims procedures contained in MS 777, Billing and Collection Procedures, Debts and Claims.

 

5.8 Payment of Living Allowance to Volunteers on Medevac or Medical Hold

A Volunteer who is on Medevac or on Medical Hold, but who will return to service within 45 days, continues to receive an in-country living allowance.

 

5.9 Payment of Living Allowances to Volunteers on Emergency Leave

A Volunteer who is on Emergency Leave, but who will return to service, continues to receive an in-country living allowance for up to 45 days.  See MS 220, Leave for Volunteer and Trainees.  

 

5.10 Discontinuation of Living Allowance During Administrative Hold

The in-country living allowance will be discontinued during a period of administrative hold. (See MS 220, Leave for Volunteers).

 

5.11 Special Living Allowances

5.11.1 Guard Service

The Peace Corps does not normally encourage the use of, or pay the cost of, guard services for Volunteer residences or property. However, when a Country Director determines that the welfare of Peace Corps Volunteers is jeopardized during periods of insurrection, terrorism, civil disorders, or high rates of crime, the Country Director may authorize guard service for Volunteer residences for periods not to exceed 120 days. Requests in excess of 120 days, but not to exceed one year, may be authorized by the Regional Director. A request for guard service must be supported by written concurrence from the Chief of Mission confirming the reasons why residential guards are required. The Country Director should also obtain the advice of the Regional Security Officer before final plans are made. Requests for renewals of the authorizations must also be supported with concurrence by the Chief of Mission. When such services have been authorized, the Country Director may pay a special allowance to Volunteers to cover costs of hiring guards or the Country Director may contract for such services.

 

5.11.2 Head of Household Volunteers

In order for Head of Household (HOH) Volunteers (Volunteers whose minor children live with them in-country during Peace Corps service) to serve effectively, the Country Director may authorize reimbursement for day care (see MS 263, Volunteer Pregnancy), or pre-elementary schooling for children. Such reimbursement may be in the form of a supplement to the living allowance or as a periodic reimbursement upon submission of receipts for authorized expenses. On a case-by-case basis, the Country Director may authorize a dependent child a living allowance supplement for Head of Household Volunteers with dependent children. The supplement shall pay only for the dependent child's dietary requirements and appropriate clothing.

6.0 Living Allowance Payment Procedures

6.1 Use of Single Payment System

A single payment system shall be used for payment of overseas Volunteer living allowances unless an exception is approved by the Chief Financial Officer. Under a single payment system, one payment, made by check or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), is issued monthly on behalf of a group of Volunteers to a bank or postal facility in the host country. The payment is accompanied by a listing of the Volunteers to be paid, the last four digits of their social security numbers, account numbers, and the amounts to be deposited in each of their accounts. In all instances, the payment will be made payable to the bank or postal facility Postmaster General (by title, not by name). In no instance will a payment be made payable to an individual. In exceptional cases where the multiple payment list check is deposited in other than a bank or banks where individual Volunteer accounts are maintained, further confirmation must be obtained by the post as to the timing and amount of deposits to individual Volunteer accounts.

6.1.1 Implementation of the Single Check or EFT System

The Country Director shall arrange for Volunteers to open accounts with one or more host country banks or branch banks. The bank shall credit the Volunteer's living allowances directly to each Volunteer's account.

 

All Country Directors using the single payment system are required to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (see Attachment F) with all banks involved. Each bank has its own procedures for establishing individual accounts; however, the agreement must encompass the substance of all the clauses in the Memorandum of Agreement. Country Directors should refer all questions regarding clarification of the agreement, before it is executed, to the Director of Global Accounts Payable (GAP). Approval by the Director of GAP is required if the Country Director is unable to obtain bank approval of the substance of all the clauses in the Memorandum of Agreement.

6.1.2 Implementation of the Postal Money Order System

Each Country Director wishing to use the postal money order system must prepare a written determination that the in-country postal facility and money order system is the only practical means for paying Volunteers their in-country allowance. A copy of the signed and dated determination document shall be filed at post, and provided to the Director of GAP. The Country Director shall implement the same procedures used where a single check is made payable to financial institutions. The single check is made payable to the postal facility(s) or Postmaster General and is accompanied by a list of Volunteers, amounts to be paid, and postal locations. The authorization shown in Attachment E provides authorization when checks are not issued payable to the individual Volunteer.

6.1.3. Documentation

Copies of all agreements and amendments with banks or postal facilities shall be retained in a file at post. (See Attachment F)

6.1.4. Voucher Preparation Procedures

In order to make allowance payments to the Volunteers' bank accounts using the Single Check, EFT, or Postal Order System methods, post must prepare a payment voucher. Detailed guidance on voucher preparation procedures is provided in the Overseas Financial Management Handbook.

6.1.5. Changes to the Multiple Payment List

The single payment system is designed to ensure that overpayments to Volunteers are fully accounted for and credited to the Peace Corps. If there are any changes from the time the voucher and supporting list are prepared and the time the payment is received by the Volunteers' bank (e.g., Volunteer terminates early or is medically evacuated, or the amount is incorrect), Post must prepare a Bill of Collection and a Memorandum to the Volunteers' bank requesting that the overpayment amount is returned to the Post cashier. See Attachment F.

6.1.6 Control of Checks

In addition to the procedures specified in MS 760, Imprest Funds, the following steps shall be taken to guard against fraud or loss of checks:

(a) Check(s) or money order(s) should not be received and deposited by the same person;

 

(b) All checks or money orders should be placed in a safe or cabinet secured with a U.S. Government-approved three tumbler combination lock and kept separate from Imprest funds; and

 

(c) A list of persons, by position title, who have access to the safe or locked cabinet shall be approved by the Country Director.

6.1.7. Reconciliation

In order to maintain the appropriate internal control, at the end of each month in which the Volunteer’s allowance payment is applied to the Volunteer’s accounts, the Country Director is responsible for ensuring that the post performs a reconciliation. Posts are required to reconcile all allowance payments processed through multiple payment listings to assure that the requirements have not changed since the list was prepared and/or deposit made to the bank or other institution. If the total payment for Volunteer allowances received by the bank or other institution exceeds the payment requirement due to an early termination (ET), administrative separation, early Close of Service (COS) or other change in the number/status of Volunteers, a collection should be made. The collection can be made by check, payable to the US Treasury or in cash, credited to the allowance obligation.

6.2 Use of Other Systems for Payment of Volunteer Allowance

Use of other systems for payment of Volunteer allowances will only be allowed with the prior approval of the Chief Financial Officer. A justification and description of circumstances should accompany the request for approval, which shall be submitted through the Country Director and the Regional Director.

 

6.3 Close-out of Volunteer Accounts

The Peace Corps may neither pay an obligation incurred by a Volunteer nor act as a collection agency for a bank or postal facility owed money by a former Volunteer, as noted in the Memorandum of Agreement. It is the responsibility of the Volunteer to close out his/her account with the bank or postal facility. However, in some situations, such as early termination for medical reasons, it is difficult for a Volunteer to do so. In order to obviate situations like this, the Country Director shall confer with the financial institution(s) concerning the procedures Volunteers need to follow to close out their accounts in case of unexpected departure. This information, including any forms, should be made available to Volunteers by the Country Director so that the Volunteers may take the necessary action, when required.

7.0 Annual Leave Allowances

(a) The post must notify Volunteers of the number of days prior to the start of a planned vacation by which a Volunteer must submit a request;

 

(b) The procedure must be the same for all Volunteers;

 

(c) Issuance of the payment in a currency other than the local currency does not imply authority for further accommodation exchange; and

 

(d) The procedure shall be used only for annual leave allowances, which are established by law in terms of U.S. dollars. Living allowances must continue to be paid in local currency. Leave allowances in hard currencies shall NOT be paid on a routine basis (e.g., quarterly, monthly) but only as needed based on advance notice of travel plans. Replacing checks lost, stolen, or damaged is an extremely time-consuming process, involving certification to the Treasury of the non-use of the check and investigation by Treasury of the possible cashing of the check. (In addition, checks over 90 days old may not be honored in banks overseas.)

8.0 Travel Allowances

8.1 In-Country Travel Allowance

Volunteers may receive a monthly travel allowance, to provide for in-country travel on official Peace Corps business. (See MS 218, Applicant, Trainee and Volunteer Travel and Use of Hostels.)

8.2 En-Route Allowance

In addition to the daily allowances, Volunteers traveling between their country of assignment and the United States or their country of assignment and a third country, will receive an en route travel allowance to cover lodging (where necessary) and incidental expenses while in transit.

8.3 Travel Restrictions and Limitations

Peace Corps has no authority to pay expenses that Volunteers incur in their individual pursuit of future employment or educational opportunities. Thus, Peace Corps will not provide transportation, daily allowances or travel allowances to Volunteers who travel outside their countries of assignment to take examinations relating to future employment or education. However, Volunteers who leave their sites to take examinations relating to their post-Peace Corps careers may take up to three days administrative leave. More than three days absence must be charged to annual leave or leave without allowance. (See MS 220, Leave for Volunteers/Trainees)

9.0 Daily Allowances

9.1 Daily Allowances in the United States

 

9.1.1 Current Rates

Current rates for allowances in the United States are provided in the Peace Corps Overseas Financial Handbook. 

9.1.2 Administrative or Medical Hold

A Volunteer with an unresolved medical condition who is outside the country of assignment may be placed on medical hold by the Office of Medical Services as necessary and appropriate for a maximum of 45 days.

A Volunteer whose departure for overseas duty, return to overseas duty, or transfer to another country of assignment is delayed for the convenience of the Peace Corps, may be placed on administrative hold by the Regional Director for a maximum of 60 days. (See MS 220, Leave for Volunteers/Trainees, and MS 282, Transfers/Reassignments, Reinstatements, and Reenrollments of Trainees and Volunteers.)

 

Volunteers on administrative or medical hold status receive a daily allowance while in such status. Administrative or Medical hold allowances are authorized to be paid at the staging, or other authorized site, or at the home-of-record. The payment is made by Treasury check, debit card or other mechanism and charged to the appropriate headquarters office. The amount of this allowance varies, depending on whether the Volunteer is at his or her home-of-record during the hold period or has had an acceptable alternate housing arrangement authorized for the period. (See MS 218, Applicant, Trainee and Volunteer Travel and Use of Hostels and MS 220, Leave for Volunteers/Trainees.)

 

A Regional Director may reduce the amount of allowances for any period beyond 30 days if it appears that the total allowances exceed the subsistence actually incurred by a Volunteer.

9.1.3 Emergency Leave

Volunteers on emergency leave receive an emergency daily leave allowance for a maximum of 14 days. (See MS 220, Leave for Volunteers/Trainees.) This allowance is disbursed by post before the Volunteer departs for travel to the site of the emergency.

9.1.4 Special Leave Allowance

Volunteers granted special leave in conjunction with an extension of service receive a special daily leave allowance paid in-country at the start of the leave. (See MS 220, Leave for Volunteers/Trainees and MS 281, Completion of Service Date Advancement and Extension of Service.)

9.1.5 Medevacs to the United States

Volunteers who are evacuated to the United States for medical reasons receive a daily allowance which varies in amount depending on their destination and whether or not meals and lodging are provided at U.S. Government or commercial expense, e.g., hospitals.

 

Volunteers receive the first three days of this allowance in U.S. currency in-country prior to departure for the United States plus a travel allowance established in accordance with their itinerary. Daily allowances for periods in excess of three days are disbursed by the Office of Medical Services.

9.1.6 Medevacs to a Regional Medevac Point

Volunteers evacuated to a regional medevac site shall receive a daily allowance for the first seven days plus a travel allowance, established in accordance with their itinerary, prior to departure.

 

Volunteers medically evacuated to a third country will receive a standard daily allowance for that period of time during which they are hospitalized. For any period of time in a third country during which they are not hospitalized, medically evacuated Volunteers will receive daily allowances applicable to extraordinary travel as described in the Overseas Financial Management Handbook.

9.1.7 Other Daily Allowances for Volunteers while in the United States

Volunteers receive a daily allowance while in the U.S., which varies in amount depending on whether or not meals and lodging are provided at U.S. government or commercial expense and whether the Volunteer is at the home-of-record or another site. These allowances are for:

(a) Consultation (including medical, termination, transfer, re- enrollment, etc.);

 

(b) Administrative/Medical Hold; and

 

(c) Authorized extraordinary purposes.

For Volunteers traveling to the United States, the first three days of this allowance (in U.S. currency) is disbursed prior to departure. Allowances in excess of three days (and allowances paid to Volunteers already in the U.S.) are disbursed by the appropriate headquarters office, staging, or training staff.

9.2 Daily Allowances in Third Countries and Country of Assignment

Volunteers traveling in their country of assignment or a third country, including non-Peace Corps countries, for medical evacuations or for extraordinary purposes will receive daily allowances as described below:

 

(a) For medical evacuations, the Volunteer will receive the allowances established in the Overseas Financial Management Handbook.

 

(b) For authorized extraordinary travel, the per diem rate is established by the host Country Director, however, the rate shall not exceed 75% of the per diem rate allowed Peace Corps employees traveling in the same country; or 100 % of the special per diem rate determined for workshops or conferences when lodging and/or meals are included.

 

10.0 Evacuation Allowances

10.1 Policy

The Peace Corps believes it should provide an allowance to Volunteers who have been terminated due to an evacuation or unplanned suspension and did not have the opportunity to accumulate a minimum amount of money through the readjustment allowance to support themselves when they return to the U.S or while going through the re-enrollment process.

10.2 Amount

The amount paid to the Volunteer is calculated by VFO, based on the number of months since the Volunteer's enter-on-duty date. Generally, it is the difference between the gross amount of readjustment allowance the Volunteer has earned and six months' readjustment allowance at the current rate. The Volunteer will receive the evacuation allowance check at his/her home-of-record within seven days after termination notification is received by VFO.

10.3 Limitations

Volunteers who continue their service uninterrupted in another country (i.e., direct transfers) do not receive the evacuation allowance since they do not have transitional needs in the United States. Volunteers who have served six months or more receive their regular readjustment allowance, but no evacuation allowance.

 

11.0 Effective Date