Is CONUS COLA applicable for secondary dependents?
No. By law, only primary dependents are considered for entitlement to “with dependents” CONUS COLA. 34. When the member is stationed outside of CONUS and the family remains in the CONUS, is the member authorized CONUS COLA for the dependents in addition to any COLA the member may be authorized at the overseas PDS? ANSWER: Yes. Generally, the member would draw CONUS COLA at the “with dependent” rate if the primary dependent resides in a designated high cost area within CONUS. The member is also entitled to overseas COLA at the “without dependent” rate. The family remaining at the CONUS COLA location must include the primary dependent.
