Attention Government Employee Couples: Living Together Means No HRA for the Second Spouse

HRA Rules: The Central Government has clarified that if one spouse receives government accommodation, the other employee will not be eligible for House Rent Allowance (HRA). Here are the full details regarding HRA rules.

Central Government Employees: If both spouses are employed by the Central Government, it is essential to be well-versed in the rules regarding House Rent Allowance (HRA). The government recently clarified in the Rajya Sabha that if a government-employed couple serving in the same location has one spouse allotted government accommodation, the other employee will not receive HRA. Since the family is considered to have housing facilities available in such cases, no additional rent allowance is granted.

Providing information on this matter in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary explained that HRA is intended solely for employees who have not been allotted government accommodation and who personally bear the cost of living in rented housing. Therefore, if one spouse already has access to government accommodation, the other does not receive the benefit of this allowance.

What is the government's rule?