Military PCS Entitlements 2026: How Much Do I Get?
Every PCS comes with entitlements most people never fully claim. This page lists every rate, every rank, and every rule in one place, verified against the Joint Travel Regulations and DTMO as of June 2026.
How much DLA do I get in 2026?
DLA (Dislocation Allowance) is a one-time payment to help cover the costs of relocating your household during a PCS. The amount depends on your pay grade and whether you have dependents. No receipts are required. File through Finance after reporting to your new duty station.
2026 DLA rates (JTR par. 050501, DTMO MAP 72-25(I), effective January 1, 2026):
| Pay Grade | Without Dependents | With Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,870.58 | $3,548.02 |
| E-2 | $2,025.26 | $3,548.02 |
| E-3 | $2,355.48 | $3,548.02 |
| E-4 | $2,389.42 | $3,548.02 |
| E-5 | $2,389.42 | $3,548.02 |
| E-6 | $2,389.42 | $3,548.02 |
| E-7 | $2,468.19 | $3,551.31 |
| E-8 | $2,888.97 | $3,824.94 |
| E-9 | $3,147.54 | $4,149.51 |
| W-1 | $2,394.55 | $3,151.31 |
| W-2 | $2,860.70 | $3,643.75 |
| W-3 | $3,221.08 | $3,960.78 |
| W-4 | $3,832.45 | $4,323.11 |
| W-5 | $4,315.51 | $4,715.58 |
| O-1 | $2,273.82 | $3,085.23 |
| O-2 | $2,700.31 | $3,451.28 |
| O-3 | $3,404.11 | $4,041.88 |
| O-4 | $4,247.61 | $4,885.43 |
| O-5 | $4,583.51 | $5,542.06 |
| O-6 | $4,758.96 | $5,749.63 |
| O-7+ | $5,187.33 | $6,385.58 |
Partial DLA (non-PCS housing-directed move): $1,002.71
Who does NOT get DLA:
- E-4 and below without dependents assigned to government quarters (barracks)
- First PCS with no dependents (the "first permanent duty station" exclusion)
- Separation or retirement travel
- Only one DLA per fiscal year unless an exception in JTR par. 050509 applies
Can I get DLA as an advance? Yes. Take your PCS orders to Finance and request an advance DLA. It is typically processed within one to two pay cycles, so you have the money before you move.
How does mileage reimbursement work during a PCS?
MALT (Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation) pays you for every mile you drive between your old and new duty station. The 2026 PCS rate is $0.205 per mile (DTMO MAP 73-25(I), effective January 1, 2026).
Key MALT rules:
- Distance is calculated using the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD), not your odometer
- Up to 2 vehicles authorized if dependents are present and both vehicles are driven
- This is NOT the TDY mileage rate ($0.725/mile for a car). MALT is lower because it is supplemented by per diem
How many travel days do I get?
Travel days are calculated using this formula (JTR Table 2-2):
- First 400 miles = 1 travel day
- Divide remaining miles by 350
- Add 1 extra day if the remainder is 51 miles or more
Example: 1,600 miles total. First 400 = 1 day. Remaining 1,200 / 350 = 3.4, so 3 days + 1 extra (remainder is 150, which is over 51). Total: 5 travel days.
What per diem do I get while driving to my new base?
The standard CONUS PCS per diem rate for 2026 is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). This is a flat rate when driving. You receive per diem for each authorized travel day.
Per diem for dependents traveling with you:
| Dependent | Rate |
|---|---|
| Age 12 and older | 75% of member rate ($133.50/day) |
| Under age 12 | 50% of member rate ($89/day) |
Example: An E-6 with a spouse and two children (ages 8 and 14) driving 1,200 miles gets 4 travel days. Per diem: member $178 + spouse $133.50 + child 14 $133.50 + child 8 $89 = $534/day x 4 days = $2,136 in per diem.
High-cost areas have higher rates. Check the DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup for your specific locations.
How many days of TLE do I get during a PCS?
TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) reimburses your actual hotel costs while you are between homes during a CONUS PCS. The daily cap is up to $290 per day, and the amount varies by location based on local per diem rates (JTR par. 050601, MAP 66-24(R)).
TLE is reimbursement, not a lump sum. You pay the hotel, keep itemized receipts with dates, and claim it back on your travel voucher.
How many days:
| Move Type | Maximum TLE Days |
|---|---|
| CONUS to CONUS | Up to 21 days |
| OCONUS to CONUS | Up to 21 days |
| CONUS to OCONUS | Up to 7 days (at the losing CONUS station only) |
| Extended TLE (housing shortage locations) | Up to 60 days |
You can split TLE days between your old and new duty station however your move plays out.
TLE family-size multiplier:
| Who is lodging | Percentage of local per diem cap |
|---|---|
| Member alone | 65% |
| Member + 1 dependent (or 2 dependents) | 100% |
| Each additional dependent age 12+ | Add 35% |
| Each additional dependent under 12 | Add 25% |
Extended TLE (up to 60 days) is available at installations with documented housing shortages, including Vandenberg SFB, Edwards AFB, and NAS Fallon. Check your orders and ask your gaining installation.
What is the difference between TLE and TLA?
TLE covers temporary lodging during CONUS moves. TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) covers temporary lodging at OCONUS duty stations. TLA has no fixed maximum number of days. It is authorized in 10-day increments by the local TLA Approving Official, and the member must report housing search progress every 15 days.
TLE and TLA cannot overlap. You receive TLE at your losing CONUS station and TLA upon arrival at your OCONUS duty station.
How does a PPM move work and how much do I get?
A PPM (Personally Procured Move, formerly called DITY) is when you move your own household goods instead of using the government moving service. The military pays you 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) for the weight you move (JTR par. 051202, MAP 42-25(R)).
If your actual costs are less than the GCC, you keep the difference. This is how people profit from a PPM.
PPM requirements:
- Get pre-approval from your Transportation Office before moving
- Get certified weight tickets: empty weight and full weight from a certified scale
- Keep all receipts (truck rental, fuel, packing materials, tolls)
- Submit everything with your travel voucher
PPM profit example: The government would have paid $5,000 to ship your goods. You rent a truck for $1,800 and spend $400 on fuel. Your cost is $2,200. The military pays you $5,000. You pocket $2,800.
Important: The temporary 130% PPM rate from summer 2025 (MAP 42-25(R)) has expired. The current rate is 100% of GCC.
You can receive both PPM payment and MALT mileage if you use the same vehicle to drive and transport your goods.
How much household goods can I ship?
Your HHG (Household Goods) weight allowance depends on your pay grade. All military moves are now processed through the Personal Property Activity (PPA) at ppa.mil. Call 1-833-MIL-MOVE for scheduling.
2026 HHG weight allowances (with dependents):
| Pay Grade | Without Dependents | With Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 to E-3 | 5,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs |
| E-4 | 7,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs |
| E-5 | 7,000 lbs | 9,000 lbs |
| E-6 | 8,000 lbs | 11,000 lbs |
| E-7 | 11,000 lbs | 13,000 lbs |
| E-8 | 12,000 lbs | 14,000 lbs |
| E-9 | 13,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs |
| O-1/O-2 | 10,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs |
| O-3 | 13,000 lbs | 14,500 lbs |
| O-4 | 14,000 lbs | 17,000 lbs |
| O-5 | 16,000 lbs | 17,500 lbs |
| O-6+ | 18,000 lbs | 18,000 lbs |
Pro-gear does not count against your weight: Up to 2,000 lbs for the member and 500 lbs for the spouse. Pro-gear must be documented and professionally related (tools, books, equipment).
If you go over your weight allowance, you pay the difference out of pocket. Weigh your shipment before it leaves if possible.
Does the military reimburse pet travel during a PCS?
Yes. As of January 1, 2024, the JTR authorizes reimbursement for pet transportation during a PCS (JTR par. 050107). This covers cats and dogs only, one pet per PCS order.
2026 pet travel reimbursement caps:
| Move Type | Maximum Reimbursement |
|---|---|
| CONUS PCS | $550 |
| OCONUS PCS | $2,000 |
| OCONUS from high-risk rabies country | Up to $4,000 (requires Secretarial Process approval) |
What is covered: Microchipping, boarding fees, hotel pet fees, licensing at the new duty station, titer testing (OCONUS), quarantine fees (OCONUS), and pet shipping fees.
Critical OCONUS rule: Commercial pet shipping is only reimbursable if you get a non-availability letter from TMO for the Patriot Express first. Without that letter, you forfeit reimbursement.
Dual-military couples on separate PCS orders each get their own pet allowance.
Relief society loans: AER (Army), NMCRS (Navy/Marines), and AFAS (Air Force/Space Force) offer no-interest loans up to $5,500 for pet PCS travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I file for DLA? File DLA through your Finance office after reporting to your new duty station. Bring a copy of your PCS orders. You can also request an advance before you move.
Do I get DLA if I live in the barracks? E-4 and below without dependents assigned to government quarters do not receive DLA. E-5 and above without dependents receive DLA at the without-dependents rate regardless of quarters assignment.
What happens if my household goods are overweight? You pay the cost difference for any weight over your authorized allowance. The excess charges come out of your pocket, not the government's.
Can I do a partial PPM? Yes. You can have the government ship most of your goods and personally move the rest. You receive PPM reimbursement based on the weight you moved yourself.
Is DLA taxable? DLA is not taxable. It is excluded from gross income and does not appear as taxable wages on your W-2.
What is the Patriot Express and can my pet fly on it? The Patriot Express is a government-contracted charter flight for OCONUS PCS travel. Pets are allowed on PCS flights only (not Space-A). Fees are $125 to $375 depending on combined pet and kennel weight. Space is extremely limited and first-come, first-served. Book through TMO early.
Does TRICARE transfer automatically during a PCS? No. If you change TRICARE regions, you need to re-enroll and establish a new Primary Care Manager. Specialist referrals do not transfer automatically. Contact your new MTF or TRICARE contractor in your first week.
Where do I schedule my military move? All military household goods moves are now processed through the Personal Property Activity (PPA) at ppa.mil. HomeSafe Alliance was terminated in June 2025. Call 1-833-MIL-MOVE (24/7 during peak season May 15 through September 15).
See every entitlement for your exact move
This page covers the standard rates. Your actual entitlements depend on your rank, dependents, distance, and destination. Some entitlements stack in ways most people miss.
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All rates verified against the Joint Travel Regulations and DTMO as of June 2026. Rates change annually. Always verify with your Finance office or TMO for your specific situation.
Last updated: June 24, 2026