DA 4187 COLA Dependent Change Example

    If you are a soldier or a civilian employee of the U.S. Army who is stationed overseas, you may be eligible to receive a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to help you cover the higher expenses of living in a foreign country. COLA is based on several factors, such as your location, rank, pay grade, and number of dependents. However, if your dependent status changes due to marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, death, or relocation, you need to report it to your command and update your COLA entitlement. To do this, you need to fill out and submit a DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action) with the appropriate supporting documents. In this article, we will show you how to fill out and submit a DA 4187 for COLA dependent change with an example. We will also explain what COLA is, how it is calculated, and what documents you need to support your request.

    What is COLA and How is it Calculated?

    COLA is a supplemental allowance that is paid to U.S. military and civilian personnel who are assigned to overseas areas where the cost of living is substantially higher than in the continental U.S. (CONUS). COLA is intended to help them maintain the same standard of living as they would have in CONUS. COLA is not a fixed amount, but varies depending on several factors, such as:




Da 4187 Cola Dependent Change Example