Canadian Forces Housing Allowance
Here is a summary of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) relocation process, designed for CAF members who are relocating:
Relocation Program Overview
- The CAF Relocation Program (RP) is there to assist you and your family with your move.
- It’s managed by BGRS (Brookfield Global Relocation Services), who provides online support and advice.
- The program aims to be flexible and cover essential relocation costs as per the CAF Relocation Directive.
Getting Started
- After receiving your posting message, register on the BGRS website (bgrsguide.bgrs.ca) or mobile app.
- Complete the Preliminary Relocation Assessment (PRA).
- Book a 30-minute planning session with BGRS, ideally right after completing the PRA for priority.
Key Responsibilities
- You will need to register on the BGRS website, book planning sessions, enter your banking details, read the Relocation Directive, complete tasks, request funds, submit expense claims, book travel, and finalize your move file.
- BGRS will facilitate your move, clarify the rules, provide support, help prioritize tasks, estimate funds, create a budget, advance funds, review expenses and facilitate travel.
Move Timeline
- Your Change of Strength (COS) date is usually the first day of your travel.
- Try to coordinate your housing so you have a door-to-door move that aligns with your COS date.
- Your Report for Duty (RFD) date is when you report to your new location, and can be 30 days before or after your COS date if approved by the CAF.
Accessing Funds
- Ensure your banking information is entered on the BGRS website.
- Request advances through the website in anticipation of your expenses.
- Funds are transferred via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), taking about 7 days after BGRS approves your request.
Key Benefits
- House Hunting Trip (HHT): You get 7 days (5 nights plus 2 travel days) to find housing, with reimbursements for meals, lodging and dependant care.
- Interim Lodgings, Meals, and Miscellaneous (ILM&M): If you are authorized to move your Household Goods and Effects (HG&E) you are eligible for coverage for meals, lodging and miscellaneous expenses.
- Movement Grant: A $650 non-taxable grant to help with costs not specifically covered.
- Posting/Relocation Allowance: This is administered by your Base/Wing or by the CAF/DRBM for reserves.
- Private Motor Vehicle (PMV) Travel: You are eligible for a kilometric allowance, lodging, and meal expenses when you travel by PMV.
- Commercial Travel: Booked through HRG via the BGRS website, but upgrades to business or first class are not authorized.
- Third Party Service Providers (TPSP): Use BGRS’s directory of suppliers, or if you choose a non-participating TPSP, you may be responsible for additional costs.
- Rent, Sale, and Purchase: You are eligible for coverage for expenses related to real estate such as commissions, legal fees, appraisals, and rental agency fees.
- Temporary Dual Residence Assistance (TDRA): If you have to maintain two residences, this can help with costs for your old home if it remains unsold, vacant and actively marketed.
Important Points
- Keep receipts for all expenses you intend to claim.
- You will need a property appraisal if you own a home.
- Ensure any Third Party Service Providers (TPSPs) you use are “at arm’s length”.
- You can claim real estate benefits if the closing date of your old or new residence is within one year before or two years after your COS date, or HG&E shipment date.
- All commercial travel must be booked via the BGRS website.
- The CAF will handle and pay for your Household Goods and Effects (HG&E) move, and BGRS will help you complete the forms, which you must submit to your Base Traffic Agent.
Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD)
- The CFHD helps with housing costs, ensuring you pay about 25% of your gross monthly salary for housing.
- This replaced the Post Living Differential (PLD) on July 1, 2023.
- CFHD amounts depend on your location, salary, and whether you share housing with other CAF members and are updated annually.
Military Pay
- Pay information is available online, by rank, occupation, and type of service.
By using these resources and following the steps, your relocation process can be as smooth as possible.
Sample Housing Allowance Calculation
Here is a sample housing allowance calculation using the Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD) and a corresponding pay rate, drawing on information from the sources:
Understanding CFHD and Pay
- The Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD) is designed to ensure that CAF members pay approximately 25% of their gross monthly salary towards housing costs.
- CFHD amounts are based on a member’s pay level and place of duty.
- Pay levels are determined by a member’s monthly (Regular Force and Class C Reserve) or daily (Class B Reserve) rate of pay.
- CFHD rates are updated annually.
Sample Scenario
Let’s consider a hypothetical CAF member:
- Rank: Corporal (Regular Force)
- Pay Level: 3 (Monthly Rate of Pay: $5610-$6629)
- Place of Duty: Calgary, Alberta
- Housing Situation: Rents a primary residence on the economy
1. Determining the Pay Level * Based on the pay level tables, a member with a monthly salary between $5610 and $6629 falls into Pay Level 3 for Regular Force.
2. Finding the CFHD Amount * According to the CFHD table for Alberta, a member at Pay Level 3 in Calgary has a CFHD amount of $700.
3. Calculating the Housing Allowance * The CFHD amount is $700 per month for a member in this scenario. This amount is intended to help the member maintain housing costs at approximately 25% of their gross monthly salary.
4. Considering the Pay Rate * The member’s monthly pay rate is between $5610 and $6629. The exact amount is based on their specific rank and time in service and can be found on the Military Pay website. For this sample, we’ll assume a monthly salary of $6,000.
5. Total Housing Support
- In this example, the total housing support would be the CFHD of $700 per month. This amount is added to the member’s monthly pay. The member would then use this amount towards their monthly housing costs.
Important Notes:
- CFHD is not a universal entitlement: Not all CAF members will be entitled to CFHD.
- CFHD Focuses on Housing Costs: Unlike the previous Post Living Differential (PLD), the CFHD focuses solely on housing costs.
- Annual Updates: CFHD rates are updated annually. It is important to refer to the latest tables to determine the most up to date CFHD amounts for a specific location and pay level.
Additional Information:
- The CFHD is designed to support members with varying housing costs across Canada.
- If a member’s CFHD payment is less than their previous PLD payment, they may be eligible for the Provisional Post-Living Differential (PPLD) to assist with the transition. PPLD is automatically applied when the criteria are met.
- Pay rates for all ranks, occupations, and types of service are available on the Government of Canada website.
This sample illustrates how the CFHD works in conjunction with a member’s pay rate. Actual CFHD amounts will vary based on individual circumstances and locations.