OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three MIHA components?

MIHA-Rent covers one-time move-in fees like agency commissions. MIHA-Security covers one-time security upgrades in high-threat areas. MIHA-Misc covers one-time appliance or transformer purchase costs.

Does OHA stop when I go on TDY from my overseas station?

No - OHA continues at your permanent duty station rate while you are on TDY. You do not lose OHA because you are temporarily away from your overseas duty station.

Can single junior enlisted receive OHA?

Typically no - single junior enlisted are usually required to live in barracks overseas and receive no OHA. Check with your command's housing office for exceptions.

How do I find current OHA ceilings?

Current ceilings are published at the DTMO Allowances website and are updated twice monthly. Your installation housing office can provide specific locality data.

What happens if I sign a lease above the OHA ceiling?

You pay the difference out of pocket from your net pay. The gap is not tax-free and erodes the tax benefit of OHA on the portion you fund yourself.

Provided by AllCalculators.io
Free online calculators for everyday. No registration required.

Estimates for informational purposes only.

Important Disclaimer: Estimates for informational purposes only.

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are based on assumptions and may not reflect actual outcomes. Consult qualified professionals in relevant fields before making important decisions based on these results.

JavaScript is required to use the interactive calculator above. The questions and answers below remain readable without JavaScript.

How It Works

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is a tax-free reimbursement that covers the actual monthly rent a service member pays at an overseas duty station, up to a published ceiling that varies by country, locality, pay grade, and dependency status. Unlike CONUS BAH - which is a flat monthly payment regardless of what you actually pay - OHA is true reimbursement: if your lease is below the ceiling, you receive only what you actually spend.

The Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) publishes OHA ceilings twice a month so that exchange-rate swings do not erode purchasing power. This calculator estimates the ceiling for a chosen country, pay grade, and dependent status, and adds the country's separate utility allowance plus an illustrative Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA) one-time payment.

Eligibility

OHA is paid to active-duty members assigned to qualifying overseas duty stations where government housing is not available. Key criteria include:

Member must be assigned to an overseas location on orders (OCONUS).

Government quarters must not be available or offered.

A signed, translated lease submitted to the housing office within 5 days of signing is required to activate OHA.

Without-dependent rates run about 90% of with-dependent rates.

OHA stops immediately when a member moves into government quarters - it is not paid concurrently with government housing.

Tips

Submit your signed lease to the housing office within five days of signing - OHA does not back-pay beyond that without a waiver.

Renting below the ceiling does not generate extra money. OHA is reimbursement only - the unused portion of the ceiling is not paid as a stipend.

OHA changes every 15 days with exchange rates. If you live off-post in a country with a volatile currency, your dollar amount on the LES will fluctuate. Build a buffer in your budget.

If your landlord demands advance rent, DFAS can pay OHA in advance against the signed lease - ask your finance office about Advance OHA before committing to a lease.

The utility allowance is paid in full even if your actual utility bills are lower than the allowance amount.

FAQ