MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Service members currently residing off-base may benefit from taking the annual overseas housing allowance utility expenses survey for Japan, available until Oct. 16, 2015.
OHA is an entitlement for service members stationed overseas and participants play a critical role in providing information that directly impacts the allowance paid to members. The survey collects utility and regular maintenance expense data incurred by overseas service members living in private housing.
“The survey ensures the maximum ceiling amount for OHA is still in accordance with local rent and utility expenses,” said Chief Warrant Officer Vivian Boone, the personnel officer with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s Installation Personnel Administration Center.
Residents receiving OHA that have been stationed in Japan for at least six months and residing in privately leased housing are encouraged to participate in the survey. Participation is voluntary. Responses are confidential and are not shared with any office or agency.
There are three components to OHA: rental allowances, utility and recurring maintenance, and move–in housing allowance. The survey asks participants to report average monthly utility costs and routine maintenance expenses incurred over the last 12 months.
According to the Defense Travel Management Office website, data gathered from members receiving OHA determines the utility and recurring maintenance allowance. The allowance is set to cover 80 percent of reported costs. Members without dependents that pay their own utilities are entitled to 75 percent of the rate set for those with dependents.
“I can’t stress enough how important the survey is because if there is an increase in rent or utilities, the OHA can reflect that for the upcoming period to cover fluctuating expenses,” said Boone. “This is the only way the Department of Defense can accurately determine the utility and recurring maintenance allowance paid to service members in Japan.”
The survey can be completed at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/oha-util-sep.cfm.