computing for the VHA offset, the BAQ plus VHA to which each member sharer is entitled will constitute the housing income. The total rental or ownership expense for the residence plus the SUME at the with dependents rate,  appropriate  to  each  member  sharer’s  grade, divided by the total number of sharers, will constitute each member sharer’s housing expense. Each member sharer’s prescribed VHA will be reduced by 50 percent of  the  difference  between  the  member’s  housing  income and housing expense. In no event will the amount of the reduction exceed the member’s prescribed VHA. When the member sharer’s housing expense equals or exceeds the housing income, the member sharer will be entitled to the full prescribed VHA. NOTE: A member married to a member (such as a couple maintaining a joint residence) is not considered to be a sharer for computing VHA offset. However, when a member-married-to-another-member couple shares a joint residence with another person as a sharer, each member will be considered sharers for the purpose of  computing  the  VHA  offset  for  each  member. CONDITIONS  OF  PAYMENT The  conditions  of  payment  of  any  VHA  are,  of course,  based  on  the  conditions  of  entitlement. Entitlement  to  VHA  is  dependent  on  a  member’s entitlement to BAQ and, in most cases, begins and ends under the same conditions. As we explained earlier, VHA is not payable for the number of days the member is allowed for PCS travel directly between PDSs when a transfer is involved. Generally, VHA at the rate paid at the member’s old PDS will continue through the day before the member reports to the new PDS, with a deduction for the travel time. The member becomes entitled to the rate prescribed for the new PDS on the date of reporting. If VHA was not paid at the old PDS because  government  quarters  were  assigned,  the member is entitled to VHA at the rate applicable to the old PDS beginning on the day the member becomes entitled to BAQ. The following general rules are: A member departing from a PDS located outside the United States incident to a PCS to a PDS in the United States is entitled to VHA applicable to the new PDS effective on the date the member reports at the new PDS or the date the member reports at the temporary duty (TDY) location if the member reports there first. A  member  departing  a  PDS  located  outside  the United States incident to a PCS to a PDS in the United States is entitled to VHA applicable to the TDY location effective the date the member reports at that location if a new PDS is not named in the orders. A member departing a PDS located in Alaska or Hawaii incident to a PCS to a PDS in CONUS and entitled to a VHA is entitled to the VHA applicable to the old PDS in Alaska or Hawaii until the day before the member reports to the new PDS in CONUS. A member departing a PDS located within the United States incident to a PCS to a new PDS in the United States with temporary duty en route at a location to which the member commutes from the permanent quarters that will be occupied at the new PDS will be entitled to the VHA rate applicable to the new PDS on the  day  per  diem  has  been  stopped  based  on  the occupancy of permanent quarters. Entitlement will be at the VHA offset rate computed. For those. cases in which the dependents do not reside at the location of the PDS, consult the JFTR, Volume 1, to determine the location that VHA will be based upon and the effective dates of the rates. ADVANCE  PAYMENT Just as OHA may be paid in advance, a member may receive  advance  payment  of  VHA  and  BAQ,  when authorized by the member’s commanding officer or designated representative, to pay advance rent, security deposits,  and/or  initial  expenses  incident  to  occupying other than government quarters. The advance may be made at any time during a member’s tour at the station concerned.  Normally,  the  advance  will  not  be  disbursed more than 3 working days before the date payment, under the rental or lease agreement, must be made. In extenuating circumstances, however, the advance may be made earlier than the 3 working days before the date payment  must  be  made. Amount The amount to be advanced will be determined on the basis of housing expenses and the authorized VHA and BAQ. Housing expenses will be documented to include copies of the lease, utility company statement, and any other pertinent documentation available. The member’s  ability  to  repay  the  advance,  considering  any other advances of pay that may have been made and any recurring  pay  deductions  will  be  considered  in determining the amount of the advance. In no case will the advance payment of VHA and BAQ exceed the anticipated housing expenses or the total of 3 months’ VHA and BAQ expected to be accrued by the member, 8-22