Moving can be an expensive and stressful experience, especially when you have to relocate due to military orders. Fortunately, the military provides some benefits and allowances to help offset the cost of moving. In this article, we will explore whether the military pays for moving expenses, the different types of allowances available, and the eligibility criteria for each of them.
Does the military pay for moving expenses?
The answer is yes; the military does pay for some moving expenses. The military has several programs to assist service members and their families with moving costs. These programs include:
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a military allowance that provides financial assistance to service members for off-base housing. The allowance amount is based on the service member’s rank, location, and dependents. BAH can be used to cover the cost of rent, utilities, and other housing-related expenses.
When a service member receives orders to move to a new duty station, their BAH rate may change based on the new location. This change in BAH can help offset the cost of housing in the new location. - Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): The Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is a military allowance that provides financial assistance to service members to cover the cost of food. BAS is not intended to cover the entire cost of food but rather to supplement it.
When service members receive orders to move to a new duty station, their BAS rate remains the same. However, service members may be eligible for a per diem allowance to cover the cost of meals during their travel to the new duty station. - Dislocation Allowance (DLA): The Dislocation Allowance (DLA) is a military allowance that provides financial assistance to service members to help cover the relocation cost. DLA will help cover moving trucks, packing materials, and other related costs.
The amount of DLA a service member is eligible for is based on their rank and dependent status. The DLA rate varies based on the distance of the move and is intended to help offset the cost of a service member’s move to a new duty station. - Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA): The Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) is a military allowance that provides financial assistance to service members to help cover the cost of temporary lodging during their move. TLA will help cover hotel rooms, meals, and other related costs.
When service members receive orders to move to a new duty station, they may be eligible for TLA for up to ten days. The amount of TLA a service member is eligible for is based on their rank and dependent status. - Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Travel: The Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Travel program provides service members with travel and transportation allowances to help cover moving to a new duty station. The PCS Travel program includes several different allowances, including:
- Travel allowances: Service members are eligible for travel allowances to cover the cost of transportation to their new duty station. This may include airfare, rental cars, and other related expenses.
- Household goods transportation: Service members are eligible for a separate allowance to cover the cost of transporting their household goods to their new duty station.
- Privately owned vehicle (POV) transportation: Service members are eligible for an allowance to cover the cost of transporting their POV to their new duty station. This may include shipping the vehicle or driving it themselves.
Eligibility for Moving Allowances
Service members must meet specific eligibility criteria to be eligible for moving allowances. The specific criteria vary depending on the type of allowance. Generally, service members must be on active duty and have received orders for a permanent change of station (PCS) to a new duty station. Service members who are separating from the military or retiring may also be eligible for some moving allowances.
Service members must live off-base rather than in government-provided housing to receive a housing allowance. To receive a subsistence allowance, service members must be on active duty and not receive meals from the military. To receive a dislocation allowance, service members must be relocating due to a PCS move rather than due to personal reasons.
To receive a temporary lodging allowance, service members must stay in temporary lodging while in transit to a new duty station. Finally, service members must be on active duty and relocating due to a PCS move to receive PCS travel allowances.
How to Apply for Moving Allowances
Service members should contact their base transportation office or their installation’s military personnel office to apply for moving allowances. Service members may need to provide documentation, such as their PCS orders and receipts for moving expenses.
The military may provide service members with a government travel card to help cover the cost of authorized expenses during their move. Service members should keep all receipts and documentation related to their move in case they need to file a claim for reimbursement.
Moving can be a stressful and expensive experience, but the military provides several programs and allowances to help service members and their families offset the cost. These programs include housing and subsistence allowances, dislocation and temporary lodging allowances, and PCS travel allowances.
Service members must meet specific eligibility criteria and apply through their base transportation or personnel office to be eligible for these allowances. By taking advantage of these programs, service members can ease the financial burden of relocating due to military orders.