FAQ - Special Operations Allowances (SOA)
Q1. What is Special Operations Allowance (SOA)?
A1. Special Operations Allowance is a new allowance replacing the former Joint Task Force 2 Allowance. In addition to personnel from JTF2, SOA has been expanded to include personnel from the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) and Canadian Joint Incident Response (CJIRU).
Q2. Why the change?
A2. A study was conducted and determined that personnel within CSOR and CJIRU were conducting similar duties and under similar conditions as personnel within JTF2 in categories 1 and 2; thus to provide recognition for their roles, CSOR and CJIRU were included in the eligibility of SOA.
Q3. When will the new allowance takes effect?
A3. The effective date is 1 Apr 07. CSOR and CJIRU personnel will be eligible for either Category 1 or 2 of SOA depending on their category of employment in addition to LDA. Furthermore, JTF 2 members in category 2 and 3 will be eligible for LDA effective 1 Apr 07 also.
Q4. Is Special Operations Allowance Taxable?
A4. SOA is taxable and subject to deductions for EI and CPP.
Q5. Which positions will be eligible to receive the new allowance?
A5. A list of designated positions will be forwarded to CANSOFCOM once the CDS approval is received.
Q6. What other changes will take place?
A6. All members in receipt of SOA will also be eligible for Land Duty Allowance. However, while in receipt of SOA, members will not be eligible for any other environmental allowances with the exception of Hypobaric Allowance when applicable.
Q7. What about the payment of Paratroops Allowance for eligible CSOR personnel?
A7. No other environmental allowances are payable while in receipt of SOA.
Q8. How much are the allowances?
A8. The rates for SOA have not changed from the rates tabled within the JTF2 Allowance. They vary based on your accumulated eligible service and range from a monthly amount of $675 at Category 1 to $2,277 at Category 3
Q9. What are the categories and what do they represent?
A9. There are 3 categories. Category 1 is applicable to general support personnel, Category 2 is applicable to close support personnel/operators and Category 3 is applicable to Assaulters.
Q10. Are Reserve Force members employed with Special Force Units eligible for SOA?
A10. Depending on the employment status, Reserve Force members will either receive the monthly entitlement or a daily rate of SOA.
Q11. Are there any other changes?
A11. A daily rate of Special Operations Assaulter Allowance has also been created. This will ensure that members employed on a daily basis as assaulter will receive appropriate compensation for their exposure.
Q12. Which category of SOA will be received during the training phase of SOBQ and SOCBRN?
A12. A member posted to CSOR or CJIRU will receive CAT 1 until successfully completing and certified SOBQ or SOCBRN. Upon confirmation, it will be increased to CAT 2.
Q13. Is SOA payable during a deployment?
A13. Yes, but environmental allowances such as LDA are not payable while in receipt of OPS FSP.
Q14. When will it be made available (paid) to member?
A14. 90 days from the approval from Treasury Board (planned 1 April 2009) or the last pay of June (30 June 09)
