What is Subsistence and Quarters?
Subsistence and Quarters, commonly referred to as S&Q, is an allowance, separate from regular paycheck, that helps cover food and lodging expenses. Subsistence (S) is the money MSC provides for meals, while Quarters (Q) covers the cost of lodging. 99% of the time, you will only receive the “S” portion of S&Q because MSC will almost always provide a hotel room. In most cases, you will receive $38 per day or $266 per week for the allowance. Please note, this payment, this $266 a week, is always referred to as S&Q despite only receiving the “S” part. It is just a commonly used and accepted term.
Common Reasons to Receive S&Q
CIVMARs will most commonly receive S&Q when in the pool waiting for a ship or in training. There are very few other circumstances that allow CIVMARs to receive S&Q. You do not receive S&Q on leave, nor when you are on a ship food and lodging is provided.
Eligibility
To be eligible for S&Q, your home address must be outside of the commuting radius. CSU-E and CSU-W have different definitions of the commuting radius. CSU-E defines it by neighborhood, while CSU-W defines it by a 50-mile radius. If you’re on the fringe, be prepared to plead your case. If you are unsure if your home address is within the East Coast commuting area, please see the attached NAVSTANORVAINST 4600.1 for additional details and a map. This instruction can be found HERE.
How Does It Work?
Each week you are in training or in the pool and eligible for S&Q you will need to submit a new S&Q form. The S&Q form is linked on CIVMAR.com and can be found HERE/LINK. Ideally, you should submit your S&Q form on Monday morning each week to give the contractors at the CIVMAR Support Units (abbreviated as CSU, which is the official name for the pools) time for processing. Once submitted and processed, you will receive your S&Q payment each week. The East Coast Pool (CSU-E) and West Coast Pools (CSU-W) have different email addresses for S and Q processing. You need to submit S and Q form to the coast you are physically located. For example, if you are in training in San Diego, you submit your S and Q sheet to CSU-W. If you are checked into CSU-E to await a ship assignment, you submit your form to CSU-E.
CSU-E S&Q Email Address: msc_civmar_sandq_east@us.navy.mil
CSU-W S&Q Email Address: msc_civmar_sandq_west@us.navy.mil
Payment Breakdown
Let’s break down your daily subsistence allowance:
Breakfast: $6.00
Lunch: $12.00
Dinner: $20.00
Total Subsistence Per Day: $38.00
Total “S” Payment each Week: $266.00
If you are eligible for Quarters payment, you will receive an extra $40 per day to bring your weekly total to $546. REMEMBER, you will probably never be eligible for the full $546, but you will be eligible for the $246 each week.
Important Policy’s to Know
Why is S and Q so Low?
The policy governing S&Q is CMPI 593. This instruction was written in 1992 and it hasn’t been updated since. So, if you think the rate is a little low, that may be why. Also, S&Q does not adjust with locality, you will receive the same rate in San Diego and Norfolk. For more information, CMPI 593 is on CIVMAR.com and LINKED HERE.
Pending Disciplinary Action (PDA) and S and Q
If you are pending disciplinary action (PDA), you are eligible to receive S and Q if you report to a CSU. For more information and rules, please see Amendment to Human Resources Advisory 2011-08 link HERE.
Special Circumstances: When Would I Get the Full S&Q?
The main instance when CIVMARs are eligible for the full S&Q is when they are working in the office as a Marine Placement Assistant or a similar shoreside duty. Even then, they will need to have an address outside the local commuting area to be eligible and MSC will also offer for you to stay at a contract hotel. If you accept the full S&Q, note that you will be on your own to find a place to stay to complete your duties. Please note, these shoreside duties are exceedingly rare.
The maritime industry can be unpredictable. Missions, ports, policies and procedures frequently changes, and not having the most up to date information is frustrating. If something we wrote needs an update, or if we missed something important that should be added or highlighted, drop us a line via the form below and we will work to get the information updated as soon as possible! Safe sailing!