Agency-Specific Provisions
Clothing and Cleaning Allowances
Background
Certain employees may qualify for clothing and cleaning allowances to supplement their out-of-pocket uniform maintenance expense.
Details
These special pays:
- Are added to regular salary and not subject to deduction for retirement contribution.
- Are paid on a monthly basis.
- Do not transfer with an employee should the employee transfer to an agency that does not grant this special pay.
Note: Agencies are responsible for determining if taxes are applicable.
Eligible Agencies
The following agencies are allowed to provide clothing and cleaning allowances:
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Each agency listed above is ultimately responsible for determining which of their employees qualify for this special pay.
Note: Commissioned officers (appointed peace officers), tax collectors, and travel counselors may qualify for clothing and cleaning allowances.
Policy by Agency
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Effective Sept. 1, 1997, the clothing allowance changed to $500 for any newly hired or newly commissioned officers. Prior to that date, a $1200 clothing allowance was authorized. Those officers who were receiving a $1200 allowance prior to Sept. 1, 1997, were authorized to continue receiving that amount.
If a commissioned officer was not authorized to receive a clothing allowance prior to Sept. 1, 1997, they may not receive one after that date.
All noncommissioned personnel required to wear uniforms are entitled to a $500 cleaning allowance.
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
Like DPS, TABC commissioned officers were entitled to a $1200 clothing allowance. This amount changed to $500 on Sept. 1, 1997. Those employees who were authorized to receive a $1200 allowance prior to Sept. 1, 1997, were allowed to continue receiving the amount.
After Sept. 1, 1997, no rank other than that of "agent" is entitled to a $500 cleaning allowance.
TABC also has authority to purchase uniforms for Tax Collectors at International Bridges.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is not authorized to provide clothing or cleaning allowances to any non-uniformed personnel.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department may provide a cleaning allowance not to exceed $500 per eligible employee per year.
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
The Texas Department of Transportation may provide a cleaning allowance for Travel Information Center personnel and ferry operations personnel not to exceed $500 per year.
Additional Resources
To learn more about entering this special pay, see Chapter 10 “Special Pays” of the USPS Process Guide.
Definitions
- Clothing
- Special pay for uniform replacement and maintenance.
- Cleaning
- Special pay for uniform maintenance.
Sources
General Appropriations Act (GAA), Rider 39 in the appropriations for the Department of Public Safety; GAA, Rider 10 in the appropriations to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission; GAA, Rider 27 in the appropriations to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; GAA, Rider 31 in the appropriations to the Department of Transportation.