Annual utilities allowance survey period to end Published Feb. 1, 2011 SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The annual Overseas Housing Allowance Utilities Expense Survey period for Germany will end March 31. The survey is intended for all military personnel who reside off-base in privately-leased or rental housing. The web address to the online survey is available on the U.S. Army Europe home page under "Hot Topics." Additionally, servicemembers will receive an e-mail notification from the Defense Travel Management Office with the direct link to the survey. Why is this survey important? Every year, DTMO conducts a survey to identify how much servicemembers spent during the previous year for utilities such as electricity, heating fuel, water, trash removal and sewer fees. The data from this survey is used to determine utility allowances, which are part of the OHA. Collection of rental data is not part of this survey. DTMO obtains rental data directly from the pay system. OHA is a cost-reimbursement based allowance. Members on active duty entitled to basic pay are authorized OHA based on the member's grade, dependency status and Permanent Duty Station location, unless otherwise specified. The OHA Utility/Recurring Maintenance Survey offers the member the opportunity to have their utility expenses considered when the utility allowance is updated. Who can take it? The survey is intended for all military personnel who reside in off-base privately-leased housing. Members may take the survey at home with their spouses. Spouses are authorized to take the survey if the member is deployed or unavailable. How do you complete the survey? Servicemembers taking the survey are required to report the average monthly cost of utilities and routine maintenance from the past year. To complete the OHA utilities expense survey, servicemembers should have actual bills or records of their utilities and maintenance expenses. They will be expected to compute a monthly average for each of these expenses. How can you help the process? Leaders and HR professionals are encouraged to help in the process by getting the word out to all eligible servicemembers. The key to success in ensuring proper compensation is good participation and good data. For additional information or questions, call Randall Ries at DSN 370-3884 or e-mail randall.ries@eur.army.mil, or William Gordon at DSN 370-3888 or bill.gordon@eur.army.mil.