Cost of Living
The cost of living in the US can vary significantly from that in the UK and even across different States within the US. As a general rule this cost of living is higher in the US than you may be accustomed to, and so while living in the US you will receive an allowance designed to contribute towards those costs. There are 2 types of cost of living allowance:
- Local Overseas Allowance (LOA). Paid to the majority of serving members of the Armed Forces.
- Cost of Living Addition (COLA).Paid to all UKBCs and a few Armed Forces attaché accredited posts.
In order to evaluate these allowances, the MOD employs an independent company called Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA) to provide cost of living data. Twice a year (usually March and September), staff based overseas are invited to participate in a survey to help inform these values. A reminder of these surveys will be sent around these times. Staff and families are encouraged to collate information in the months leading up to the survey dates, but please make sure you use the latest authorised survey form.
Participation in the survey does affect the value of the allowance.
If you receive LOA and you wish to complete ECA’s March 2023 cost of living survey, the survey and guidance notes can be found at: Cost of Living Survey (sharepoint.com) . As LOA is based on a generic overseas cost of living, prices must not be sourced from any military bases or facilities (e.g., BFPO, NAAFI, BX or Commissary) but from commercial outlets. Travel to collect prices will not be considered as duty travel.
Please collect prices by 16th March and return the questionnaires by 24th March. Please send the completed surveys to: colparticipation@eca-international.com . If you have questions about the process of completing the survey, or need more time to take part, please contact ECA at the same E-Mail address.
If you receive COLA and you wish to complete ECA’s March 2023 cost of living survey, the survey and guidance notes can be found at: Cost of Living Survey (sharepoint.com) The survey must be completed by a UK based civilian, Service Person or their spouse.
The questionnaire contains several sections covering day to day goods and services plus sections on sports & social clubs and domestic staff. ECA appreciate that this can be a time-consuming process to complete. However, your contribution is considered an extremely valuable addition. To help you ECA would be happy to receive questionnaires completed by more than one person, you may wish to do this if you consider that might be an easier way to complete it.
Please collect prices by 16th March and return the questionnaires by 24th March. Please send the completed surveys to: colparticipation@eca-international.com . If you have questions about the process of completing the survey, or need more time to take part, please contact ECA at the same E-Mail address.