A Guide to Authorizing Separate Maintenance Allowance (SMA)

Mandatory Reference for ADS Chapter 477

New Reference: 10/27/2011
Responsible Office: OHR/PPIM
File Name: 477maa_102711

Overview

The purpose of this guidance is to provide an update to USAID’s policy and procedures for applying and authorizing Separate Maintenance Allowance (SMA). SMA is one of several cost-of-living allowances under 5 U.S.C. 5924 that may be granted to USAID Foreign Service employees who are assigned to a post in a foreign area. SMA is intended to help employees offset the additional expenses of maintaining members of family elsewhere than at the employee’s foreign post of assignment.