Notwithstanding section 5536 of this title and except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, the allowances and differentials authorized by this subchapter may be granted to an employee officially stationed in a foreign area—

(1) who is a citizen of the United States; and

(2) whose rate of basic pay is fixed by statute or, without taking into consideration the allowances and differentials provided by this subchapter, is fixed by administrative action pursuant to law or is fixed administratively in conformity with rates paid by the Government for work of a comparable level of difficulty and responsibility in the continental United States.

Allowances granted under this subchapter may be paid in advance, or advance of funds may be made therefor, through the proper disbursing official in such sums as are considered advisable in consideration of the need and the period of time during which expenditures must be made in advance by the employee. An advance of funds not subsequently covered by allowances accrued to the employee under this subchapter is recoverable by the Government by—

(1) setoff against accrued pay, compensation, amount of retirement credit, or other amount due the employee from the Government; and

(2) such other method as is provided by law for the recovery of amounts owing to the Government.

The allowances and differentials authorized by this subchapter shall be paid under regulations prescribed by the President governing—

(1) payments of the allowances and differentials and the respective rates at which the payments are made;

(2) the foreign areas, the groups of positions, and the categories of employees to which the rates apply; and

(3) other related matters.

When a quarters allowance or allowance related to education under this subchapter, or quarters furnished in Government-owned or controlled buildings under section 5912, would be furnished to an employee but for the death of the employee, such allowances or quarters may be furnished or continued for the purpose of allowing any child of the employee to complete the current school year at post or away from post notwithstanding the employee’s death.

When an allowance related to education away from post under this subchapter would be authorized with respect to an employee but for the evacuation or authorized departure status of the post, such an allowance may be furnished or continued for the purpose of allowing any dependent children of such employee to complete the current school year.

A transfer allowance under this subsection may not be granted with respect to the spouse or a dependent of the employee unless, at the time of death, such spouse or dependent was residing—

(1) If an employee dies at post in a foreign area, a transfer allowance under section 5924(2)(B) may be granted to the spouse or dependents of such employee (or both) for the purpose of providing for their return to the United States.

A transfer allowance under this subsection may not be granted with respect to the spouse or a dependent of the employee unless, at the time of death, such spouse or dependent was residing—

(A) at the employee’s post of assignment; or

(B) at a place, outside the United States, for which a separate maintenance allowance was being furnished under section 5924(3).

(3) The President may prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out this subsection.

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 510; Pub. L. 102–138, title I, § 147(c), Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 669; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. A, title III, § 335], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–441.)