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New Member
posted Apr 29, 2025 10:48:51 AM

I’m a state employee for SC and I’m trying to calculate my state subsistence allowance. I work 12 hour shifts but I don’t have the formula to calculate it.

0 3 2036
3 Replies
Expert Alumni
Apr 29, 2025 10:58:45 AM

If you are in law enforcement or a full time EMS personnel, our employer is supposed to give you paperwork with the number of days you worked.  It is for your regular days worked. 

Line s: Subsistence allowance

Police and all commissioned law enforcement officers paid by South Carolina municipal, county, or state governments or the federal government, full-time firefighters, and full-time emergency medical service personnel are entitled to a subsistence allowance of $16 per regular workday. Your employer should provide you with the number of work days.

New Member
Apr 29, 2025 11:12:52 AM

I understand that part but that’s based on 8 hour shifts.  There is some steps for employees that work 12 hour shifts to reconfigure the amount of days based on an 8 hours .  Basically calculating the difference in hours per day between a 12 hour shift and a 8 hour shift that subsequently changes the amount of days. 12 being %150 of 8. 

Expert Alumni
Apr 29, 2025 11:32:41 AM

It is based on the actual number of days.  There is not a calculation that is involved in this.  If you work three 12 hour shifts, then you would be able to claim $48 for that week as opposed to $80 for the week if you would have worked five  8 hour shifts

A shift constitutes a regular work day, provided that shift exceeds six hours. For example1 : (i) If a firefighter works an 8 hour shift 5 times during a particular week, the firefighter will be entitled to 5 subsistence allowances for that week for a total of $25 ($5 subsistence allowance x 5 regular work days). (ii) If a firefighter works a 12 hour shift 3 times during a particular week, the firefighter will be entitled to 3 subsistence allowances for that week for a total of $15 ($5 subsistence allowance x 3 regular work days). (iii) If a firefighter works a 24 hour shift 2 times during a particular week, the firefighter will be entitled to 2 subsistence allowances for that week for a total of $10 ($5 subsistence allowance x 2 regular work days)2 .