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DLA Calculator: Your 2026 Dislocation Allowance
DLA is the one PCS entitlement that is a flat, exact number. No receipts, no mileage math. Pick your pay grade and whether your dependents are relocating, and you have your figure. Rates are the 2026 JTR tables.
Your 2026 DLA
$2,389.42
E-5, without dependents relocating
With dependents it would be $3,548.02, a difference of $1,158.60. The with-dependents rate only applies if your dependents actually relocate. If your family stays behind, you claim the without-dependents rate.
DLA is one line. Your playbook adds mileage, per diem, lodging, and PPM.
The mistakes that cost people DLA
- Assuming it is automatic. Nobody deposits DLA because you moved. You claim it on your DD 1351-2. If you do not file, you do not get paid.
- Claiming the wrong rate. If your dependents have not actually relocated yet, you file at the without-dependents rate and adjust once they move. Finance checks this.
- Forgetting the fiscal year rule. Generally one DLA per fiscal year (1 Oct to 30 Sep) unless a JTR exception applies.
- Not requesting an advance. Ask your losing finance office for a DLA advance before you move. Same money, far better timing.
Full breakdown with the complete rate table: DLA rates by rank for 2026.
DLA questions
What is DLA?
Dislocation Allowance is a flat payment that helps cover the miscellaneous costs of relocating on a PCS: deposits, utility hookups, and setting up a household. It is not a reimbursement, so no receipts are required, but you do have to claim it on your travel voucher.
How much DLA will I get in 2026?
It depends only on your pay grade and whether your dependents actually relocate with you. Rates run from about $1,870 for a junior enlisted member without dependents to over $6,000 for a senior officer with dependents. Use the calculator above for your exact figure.
Who is not eligible for DLA?
E-4 and below without dependents who move between government quarters, members on their first PCS with no dependents, and members on separation or retirement travel. DLA is also generally limited to one per fiscal year unless an exception in the JTR applies.
Do I get the with-dependents rate if my family stays behind?
No. The with-dependents rate applies only when your dependents actually travel or relocate. If your spouse and children stay at the losing location, you claim the without-dependents rate and adjust later if they move.
How do I claim DLA?
You claim it on your travel voucher (DD Form 1351-2) after you arrive at your new duty station. You can also request a DLA advance from your losing finance office before you move, which puts the money in your account while the move is actually costing you.
Estimates only. DLA rates update annually, so verify your figure with your servicing finance office before you count on it. PCS Copilot is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense or any branch of the armed forces.