Part C—After you have completed your move

Foreign Service Premium, Post Living Allowance, and Post Specific Allowance 

When you arrive at your posting location, request your Foreign Service Premium, Post Living Allowance, and Post Specific Allowance benefits through your support unit. These allowances are described in the Military Foreign Service Instructions (MSFI) (Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI), Chapter 10.) 

Post Travel Assistance 

The Post Travel Assistance (PTA) helps you and your family finance a vacation away from your OUTCAN post. 

Your eligibility is based on living conditions at post. This assistance is described in Foreign Service Directive (FSD) Chapter 50, and MSFI Section 2. 

PTA rates are recalculated on June 1 every year. These annual recalculations are announced via Foreign Service Messages.  

You may ask for a PTA advance upon your arrival at post. When you come back from your vacation, you must prove that you spent your PTA appropriately. If you do not provide proof, you could be subject to recovery of funds.  

If you repatriate early or if your household size decreases after the PTA has been issued, you may have to reimburse all or a portion of the PTA you received.  

For more information about the PTA and other travel provisions, consult the FSD or MSFI, or contact your OUTCAN Coordination and Support (URS).  

Assistance for Military Duty Absence (AMDA) benefit 

You may also be eligible for the Assistance for Military Duty Absence (AMDA) benefit. This benefit provides financial assistance to CAF members who incur additional dependent care because of being away from home for military duties.  

Due to health, safety, and security reasons, you and your dependents may have to be temporarily evacuated from your OUTCAN post. If you are posted to an OUTCAN Unit, your support unit will be responsible for your evacuation and benefit payments.  

There are Military Family Services (MFS) in locations across Europe and the United States to support you and your family.  

MFS programs and services may include: 

• welcome and orientation programs, 
• information packages, 
• spousal or partner employment seminars and referrals, 
• childcare referrals, 
• second language or local language training programs, 
• spousal or partner events and activities, and 
• children’s events and activities. 

Once you receive your posting message, MFS will send an introductory e-mail message. Once you and your family are established in your new location, MFS should contact you within 45 days. They encourage you to contact the closest point of service in person or by telephone. 

For locations where there is no physical MFS office, MFS will assign a virtual coordinator from another location to assist you and your family. Virtual services can include: 

• information session recordings, 
• e-mail information for contacting other families on location, 
• social media channels, 
• meetings, 
• workshops, and 
• book clubs. 

MFS creates programming based on community needs. This programming may differ from one location to another, however standard MFS services usually include: 

• volunteer programs, 
• emergency childcare, and 
• language instruction. 

If a Vulnerable Sector Check is required for volunteer opportunities, complete this check before leaving Canada. CFMWS attempts to provide these checks whenever feasible, however it may be impossible once your family is located outside of Canada.  

Once posted OUTCAN, you may require mail services for day-to-day household needs. In some cases, the CAF will provide mail services, or you can access services that are co-located with other departments. However, in other locations—especially if they are remote or newly established—you must rely on local mail services that may not be as efficient, secure, reliable, or cost-efficient as in Canada. 

You and your family may need to use mail services at your own expense for important matters such as: 

• family-member voting in Canadian federal elections; 
• reimbursement claims, especially for medical insurance;  
• annual Performance and Competency Evaluation (PACE) signatures; and 
• new uniform item orders. 

When mailing reimbursement claims, remember to make a copy for your own reference. 

For more information on mail services, contact your OUTCAN Coordination and Support section. 

If you are considering a release while posted OUTCAN, you should first discuss your situation with your chain of command. 

Our ABCs of Military Postings are designed to help you and your family make informed decisions about your relocation back to Canada.