PCS Entitlements You're Probably Leaving on the Table
Every year, thousands of service members PCS without claiming everything they're owed. Not because they're lazy — because the JTR is 800+ pages of bureaucratic spaghetti and nobody sits you down and explains it.
This guide breaks down every major PCS entitlement in plain English with current rates. Bookmark it. Send it to your buddy who just got orders.
Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
DLA is a flat payment to help cover the miscellaneous expenses of moving — deposits, disconnecting/reconnecting utilities, all the random stuff that adds up.
2026 rates (E-4 to E-6):
- Without dependents: $2,389.42
- With dependents: $3,548.02
You get this automatically for most PCS moves. No receipts required. Finance should process it with your travel voucher, but double-check — it sometimes falls through the cracks.
Pro tip: If you're doing a partial PPM and a government move, you still get DLA. It's per-move, not per-method.
Mileage Allowance (MALT)
If you drive your POV to your new duty station (and most people do), you're entitled to mileage reimbursement.
2026 rate: $0.205/mile for the first POV, plus $0.205/mile for a second POV if you have dependents.
The distance is calculated using the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD), not Google Maps. For a 1,500-mile PCS, that's $307.50 per vehicle — not huge, but it adds up when you combine both POVs.
Per Diem (En Route)
While driving to your new duty station, you're entitled to per diem for meals and incidental expenses.
How it works: You get one travel day per 400 miles (based on DTOD distance). A 1,200-mile PCS = 3 travel days.
2026 CONUS standard rate: $178/day for the member ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Locality rates vary — some areas are higher. Dependents get a reduced rate. The exact amount depends on where you stop for the night — per diem is location-based.
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
TLE covers hotel costs when you're between homes at your old duty station (CONUS).
2026 max: Up to 21 days of lodging + meals, capped at $290/day for the whole family. You can split days between your old and new duty station however you want.
Key gotcha: TLE is for CONUS moves only. If you're going OCONUS, you get TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) at the new location instead, which is a different program with different rules.
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) — OCONUS
If you're PCSing overseas, TLA covers temporary housing at your new duty station while you look for permanent housing.
2026: Up to 60 days (extensions possible in 10-day increments). Rates vary wildly by location — Tokyo and Ramstein are very different numbers.
TLA is administered by your gaining installation. Start the paperwork before you arrive if possible.
Household Goods (HHG) Shipment
The government will pack and ship your household goods at no cost to you, up to your weight allowance.
Weight limits vary by rank:
- E-1 to E-4: 7,000 – 8,000 lbs
- E-5 to E-6: 11,000 – 12,000 lbs
- E-7 to E-9: 13,000 – 18,000 lbs
- O-1 to O-3: 12,000 – 14,500 lbs
- O-4+: 17,000 – 18,000 lbs
Important: Weigh your stuff. If you go over your allowance, you pay the difference — and it's expensive. Get a weight estimate from TMO before your pack-out.
Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)
If you move some or all of your stuff yourself, the government pays you a percentage of what it would have cost them to move it.
2026 rate: You receive 100% of the Government Constructive Cost (GCC) for the weight you move. This can be thousands of dollars — especially for short-distance CONUS moves where you can rent a truck cheaply. (Note: the rate was temporarily 130% during summer 2025, but has returned to 100%.)
You need:
- An approved PPM in DPS
- Empty and full weight tickets
- Receipts for any expenses you want to deduct from taxes
PPM profit is taxable income, but you can deduct moving expenses (fuel, tolls, packing materials) against it. Keep every receipt.
What Most People Miss
DLA for your return move — If you PCS back from OCONUS, you get DLA again. Every PCS = a new DLA payment.
Per diem for house-hunting — Some orders authorize PTDY (permissive TDY) for house hunting. You don't get per diem for PTDY days, but you don't burn leave either.
Advance pay — You can get an advance of up to 3 months' base pay before a PCS. It's an interest-free loan from the government.
Advance DLA — You can request DLA before your move date so you have cash in hand for deposits.
Storage in Transit (SIT) — If your new housing isn't ready, the government will store your HHG for up to 90 days at no cost. Extensions are possible.
Get Your Personalized Breakdown
Every PCS is different. Your entitlements depend on your rank, dependents, OCONUS status, and a dozen other variables.
PCS Copilot generates a personalized playbook with your exact dollar amounts, deadlines, and a step-by-step timeline — in 60 seconds.