In addition to salary and bonuses, the Department of the Air Force provides allowances to offset the cost of living. These allowances are monies provided for specific needs, such as food or housing when the government does not provide for that specific need. Most allowances are not taxable, which is an additional imbedded benefit of military pay.

In general, Service members in the Reserves are only eligible for allowances when called up for federal active duty or in some instances state active duty.

For more specific information on these benefits and to verify eligibility, please visit the following links:

Basic Allowance for Housing:
https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/

Overseas Housing Allowance:
https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Overseas-Housing-Allowance/

Basic Allowance for Subsistence:
https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables/bas/

DoD 7000.14-R, Volume 7A, Chapter 25: "Subsistence Allowances":
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/current/07a/07a_25.pdf

Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance:
https://militarypay.defense.gov/pay/ALLOWANCES/fssa.aspx

Clothing Allowance:
https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables/CMA1/

Family Separation Allowance:
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/current/07a/07a_27.pdf

Cost of Living Allowance:
CONUS: https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/CONUS-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/
Overseas: https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Overseas-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/

Office of the Secretary of Defense, Military Compensation website:
https://militarypay.defense.gov/