Hardship Duty Pay - Location, or HDP-L is additional compensation paid to service members during assignment in land areas outside the continental United States where living conditions are substantially below the standard compared to the continental United States. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy designates the locations that qualify for HDP-L using assessment process from the survey submitted by the location commander via their Regional Commander.
The Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization Act sets the maximum amount of Hardship Duty Pay at $1,500 per month (up from a maximum of $750 per month the year before). However, that's the maximum amount payable. The Department of Defense can set the amount they pay at any amount (up to the maximum). For 2008, the maximum DOD pays for any listed location is $150 per month.
Hardship Duty Pay is taxable, unless the member is assigned to a designated tax-exempt combat zone.
Below are the locations in which Hardship Duty Pay is authorized for calandar year 2008:
