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REFERRAL AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE |
Developing a sense of community here starts before you arrive at RAF Croughton. We recognize the efforts behind this transition and want to make sure you are satisfied with the details of your move. To obtain Referral and Relocation Assistance, we encourage you to reach out for personalized services provided by the Housing Management Office (HMO) staff.
Planning Your Move
Moving to an overseas location requires additional planning to make sure you and your family are prepared for the transition. There are many things you can do before you arrive to ensure the process to get settled in your new home and community is seamless.
- Do not bring oversized, bulky furniture; British houses have smaller rooms.
- Reserve room at lodging for 30 days; you can always check out earlier if you obtain housing before 30 days.
- Ensure you have a valid state-issued driver's license.
- Ensure dependents are on PCS orders or amendment to PCS orders (RAF Croughton Housing Management Office cannot offer you government housing unless you have a command-sponsored dependent and they arrive with you or will arrive in England within 30 days).
- Ensure you have a valid passport and visa for each dependent accompanying you to England.
- Understand that the rules for animals in the UK are very different from the USA. If you are thinking about bringing a pet with you, please access the following link to view the Pet Rules and Regulations. To minimize stress on you and your pet, initiate the process at least six months prior to your PCS date.
Lodging
Shepherd's Rest Inn
DSN 314-236-8394 (Commercial (+44) 1280-708-394)
(There is limited TLF and billeting, and only one unit allows pets. If there is no availability, lodging will issue a non-availability letter for off-base lodging)
Drivers License
In order to obtain a 3rd AF drivers license individuals must:
- Complete Local Conditions Brief, currently offered every Thursday at 0900 hours in the safety classroom, Building 204 - duration approximately 40 minutes.
- Take the driving theory test in the base library scoring 86% or higher and print score sheet.
- Have a valid state issued driver's license.
Driving is prohibited without this license, an international driving permit is not a substitute.
On the first and third Thursday of every month, the Local Conditions Brief is part of the Newcomer's Briefing given at the same time. At the end of the summer, when there are fewer new members arriving on base, weekly briefings will not be provided.
Individuals may collect a Highway Code Book from the Safety Office, but will need to return it once they have completed Local Conditions and the Driving Test. They can also borrow the Driving Test DVD from the library to practice with at home, but they should take the test in the library.
Upon completion of Local Conditions and the Driving Test, individuals should come to the Safety Office with their score sheet proving that they have successfully passed the test and complete a USAFE Form 3, which a member of safety staff will sign. The individual then will take this form to Pass and ID in Bldg 4, Security Forces, where they will be issued a 3rd AF Drivers License.
POCs - Safety Office:
DSN 314-236-8580 (Commercial (+44) 1280-708-580)
DSN 314-236-8572 (Commercial (+44) 1280-708-572)
Pass & ID Office:
DSN 314-236-8611 (Commercial (+44) 1280-708-611)
Power Requirements
The electrical current in England is 220 volts and 50 cycles, as opposed to 110 volts and 60 cycles in the United States. Two transformers, if available, for use with small electrical appliances are available through the government Consolidated Furnishings Management Office (CFMO). 220 volt appliances may also be purchased in the local Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) stores.
Departing service members often sell their used 220 volt appliances for a reasonable price. For advertisements of products available, view the local base newspaper and ask the Family and Airmen Readiness Center. More information on products for each location can be found on the AAFES website.
Airman and Family Readiness Center (AFRC)
The local AFRC is another great resource to obtain pertinent information about the area. DSN 314-236-8011 (Commercial (+44) 1280-708-011 / 716).
Additional Questions?
If you have any questions or require additional support, please contact the HMO for more information about preparing for your move to this location.
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HOUSING ALLOWANCES |
Military members are entitled to various allowances to ensure the transition to a new location is as smooth and stress free as possible. If you have any questions about the allowances listed, please contact the HMO.
Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) and Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA)
For overseas areas only, individuals moving into community housing may be eligible for OHA and MIHA. Specific circumstances, conditions and requirements of OHA or MIHA are identified in the Joint Federal Travel Regulations.
These extra allowances are in place to off-set the higher costs of living in overseas communities. OHA is a reimbursement and based on actual expenses for rental and utility/recurring maintenance allowances. It is adjusted every pay period for changes in exchange rates.
Members are also authorized a one-time Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA). This allowance is provided for the purchase of supplemental items not normally available in foreign housing, but considered standard when renting in the community at U.S. locations such as window coverings, light fixtures, electricity connection, etc.
- The locality code for RAF Croughton is "UK251" in OHA Calculator at the Defense Travel Management Office website.
- If you choose to rent property in the local community, the following U.S. military clause must be included in your tenancy agreement (lease) in order to receive the Overseas Housing Allowance:
"This agreement may be terminated earlier by the Tenant but only for the reason of Military necessity or if the Tenant is to take up accommodation provided by the United States Air Force or its Agents subject to the Tenant giving the Landlords Agent not less than thirty days written notice to that effect. Such written notice to be served personally, or by first class registered post, by the Tenant upon the Landlord or the Landlords Agents. There shall not be required from the Tenant any charge, levy, penalty or other payment whatsoever by reason of such early determination."
For more information about your OHA and MIHA, visit the Defense Travel Management Office website.
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)
When you arrive at RAF Croughton, you will be staying in temporary accommodations until you move into permanent quarters. TLA is an entitlement to partially offset the more-than-normal expenses incurred during occupancy of temporary lodging.
Prior to your arrival, please work with your sponsor to secure temporary accommodations. Your sponsor can advise whether you will reside in an on-base Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF), a local hotel or an off-base TLF-type facility.
Inbound TLA is limited to 30 days and will not normally be extended. HOWEVER, if a service member refuses to occupy available government-controlled quarters, TLA is terminated the first date Consolidated Furnishings Management Office (CCFMO) can deliver loaner furnishings based on the date quarters are available for move in. If government-controlled quarters are not available, service members must maintain a documented search for permanent housing.
If permanent housing is not secured within 10 days, military members are required to report to the HMO every 10 days for a recertification of TLA. For TLA entitlements to be extended for the next 10-day period, you must be actively seeking adequate housing as the HMO requires a list of the housing units visited and the reason why they were not acceptable. Pet restrictions and preferred school districts do not qualify as reasons for non-acceptance of available housing.
For more information about TLA and TLFs at RAF Croughton, please visit the Shepherd's Rest Inn website or contact the office at DSN 314-236-8394 or Commercial (+44) 1280-708-394.
Living Quarters Allowance (LQA)
Civilian employees recruited from the U.S. are required to live in the local community and may be entitled to receive a Living Quarters Allowance (LQA). (Eligible Department of the Air Force [DAFC] is authorized to apply for and occupy government-controlled housing in all areas on a space-available basis which will not normally exceed five years without prior approval of the installation commander.) LQA is in addition to other allowances and, in most instances, covers most of the costs of housing, heat, electricity, trash, water, and sewer service. The maximum allowable rates depend on the location of the duty assignment, the grade of the employee and how many dependents are living with the employee.
It is important for individuals to know that LQA is a reimbursement and based on actual expenses. It is adjusted every pay period for changes in monetary exchange rates. For more information on LQA please visit the State Department website.
Financing Your Up-Front Move-In Cost
All service military members are entitled to a 100 percent advance of required up-front rent payments and security deposits. Service members must pay back the advanced rent in 12 monthly payments. They may request to have repayment of the security deposits over $500 suspended until termination of the rental contract. Upon termination of the contract the member is required to repay the full amount of the security advance.
The HMO will assist you in completing the required paperwork to begin processing your rent advance. For specific questions about the program, please contact the base Financial Services Office. DSN 314-236-8336 Commercial (+44) 01280-708-336.
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