What it is
Combat zone pay. Hostile Fire Pay is a flat monthly amount for being subjected to hostile fire or explosion. Imminent Danger Pay covers designated dangerous areas and is prorated by day. You get one or the other, not both, in a given month.
2026 rate
$225 per month maximum. IDP prorates at $7.50 per day in the designated area.
What goes wrong
The most common problem is it continuing after you leave the zone, which creates an overpayment DFAS will collect later. Second most common: not starting because the travel voucher or orders were slow to process. Match the months on your LES against your actual boots-on-ground dates.