Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Move - A summary of basic entitlements and allowances
We have attempted to summarize most of the pay and allowances available to service members who are making a PCS move. Entry Approval is REQUIRED when you are coming to Alaska! Consult the Personnel Manual, COMDTINST M1000.6A, 4.G & H. Read this thoroughly as it contains important information regarding your transfer. Know your entitlements and ask questions. Please note that entitlement to any pay or allowance is based on meeting specific eligibility requirements. Certain additional restrictions may apply, so service members should check with the servicing Personnel Reporting Unit (PERSRU) to determine specific entitlements. Remember to maintain complete records and keep receipts during your move in order to file a complete and accurate claim for reimbursement.
NOTE: Entitlements change regularly, so be sure to use official instructions if information in this summary conflicts with official instructions.
Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
Active duty personnel with families are entitled to a DLA to offset some of the hidden costs of closing one home and setting up another. These costs can include rent deposits, utility hookups, etc. Actual amounts may be determined by consulting and can be drawn in advance of the transfer date. Single or unaccompanied service members may draw DLA at the "without dependent" rate only if they will be moving into non-government quarters. Dislocation Allowance does not require repayment. DLA is not available to service members ordered from home to their first permanent duty station (this includes transfer between recruit training and first duty station); to single or unaccompanied service members who are assigned to unaccompanied government quarters at a new duty station; nor to those transferred to a duty station within the same geographic location. DLA is not payable on separation or retirement orders.
Mileage in lieu of Transportation (MALT)
Service members receive MALT when they drive to a new assignment. The allowance is computed using federal tables of the mileage between the old and new duty stations. This official distance determines the allowance payable, though actual mileage driven may be longer or shorter. MALT is also paid to those going overseas if they drive from their stateside location to the port of embarkation for transcontinental plane or ship, or from the port of debarkation to the new duty station.
Service members (or authorized family member) traveling alone receive 15 cents per mile, 17 cents per mile if traveling with one family member, 19 cents per mile if traveling with two family members, and 20 cents per mile if traveling with three or more. These rates also apply to travel in a second car when its use is authorized. Specific approval for the use of three Privately Owned Vehicles is required in advance. MALT may be paid in advance or claimed on your travel claim upon completion of travel.
Per Diem
Along with DLA and MALT, food and lodging costs are reimbursed when making a move. The allowance is paid at a daily rate for you and your family members. Auto travel at a rate of 350 miles per day (not to exceed the official authorized distance) is used to determine how many days Per Diem will be paid. Service members receive $85 per day plus $63.75 per day for their spouse and each family member at least 12 years old, and $42.50 per day for each family member under 12. When a spouse travels separately, the spouse receives $85 per day; the Per Diem for other family members traveling separately is either $63.75 or $42.50 per day, depending on age. Per Diem may be drawn in advance of the move or claimed on your travel claim after completion of travel.
Temporary Lodging Expense Allowance (TLE)
This allowance is for PCS transfers with in United States. TLE helps to offset temporary housing costs (food and lodging) incurred locally before departing an old duty station or after reporting to a new duty station. NOTE: Consult your new unit for TLE limits and requirements prior to making any arrangements. The actual TLE is figured by a complex formula and differs in each area. Single service members should check on the availability of BEQ/BOQ facilities at their new unit, and obtain authorization to be paid this allowance. Partial TLE may be paid if you stay with friends or family. TLE is not recommended to be taken in advance, as overpayment is possible.
Temporary Lodging AllOWANCE (TLA)
New arrivals at overseas bases are eligible for this allowance to help offset the cost of temporary housing and meals. You may be entitled to TLA even if you are planning to move into temporary government quarters. The amount of Temporary Lodging Allowance payable depends on several factors, including family size, local per diem rate, actual cost of quarters, whether the quarters have cooking and dining facilities, and other allowances you may be receiving. A single person or one family members receiving Temporary Lodging Allowance gets 65 percent of the local per diem if actual expenses are at least that amount. A member with one family member receives 100 percent of the per diem if expenses warrant. For each additional family member, the maximum Temporary Lodging Allowance is increased. Temporary Lodging Allowance is paid in 10-day increments and usually has a 60-day limit for those arriving, and a 10-day limit for those departing overseas.
Advance Pay
Up to 3 months advance basic pay can be drawn prior to your move. Repayment is in equal installments from one to 12 months. A longer repayment period can be authorized with CO approval. Advance pay may be requested up to sixty days after arrival at the new unit.
Advance Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
Advance BAH may be paid to cover the expenses of renting a new home or apartment. A copy of the rental/lease agreement is required for approval of this payment. The new unit's Commanding Officer must approve all requests for this allowance. The advance must be requested for actual expenses, not to exceed the amount equal to three months BAH. Repayment of Advance BAH is normally made in equal installments over 12 months. Repayment generally begins the month after the advance is taken.
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
COLA is paid to service members stationed in high cost areas overseas and at a limited number of INCONUS locations. COLA is designed to help maintain the purchasing power of the dollar so that you will enjoy about the same standard of living wherever you are assigned. The amount of COLA received varies, depending on location, number of family members who accompany you to your new unit, and pay grade. In overseas areas, COLA is adjusted as often as every payday due to the variances in the exchange rate. Families living in government housing are eligible to draw COLA, as well as those who live on the economy. Remember, receipt of COLA is not automatic. Member and dependents MUST have entry approval and dependents must be command sponsored to be authorized any allowances. Not all overseas areas are authorized to draw COLA.
Additional Benefits
- House Hunting/Area Familiarization
Permissive orders up to ten days for house hunting may be authorized by your commanding officer. House hunting permissive orders can be authorized before you transfer or after you report to a new command, under certain conditions. House hunting permissive orders CAN NOT be taken with other delay en route under PCS orders - travel must take place before departure from old unit or after reporting to new unit. This is NOT AUTHORIZED under orders incident to first permanent duty station or recruit training and subsequent transfer to first permanent duty station.
- Proceed Time
Proceed time is an authorized period of delay en route under PCS orders not charged as leave (Normally four days). Personnel with dependents who are relocating are generally authorized proceed time. Personnel without dependents in pay-grade E-4 with over 2 years service, who have maintained other than government quarters at their old or new duty station, and any member without dependents who is REQUIRED to maintain non-government quarters, are generally authorized proceed time. However, proceed time is NOT AUTHORIZED under orders incident to first permanent duty station or recruit training and subsequent transfer to first permanent duty station.
- Travel Time
Travel time will depend on specific mode of transportation. The day of detachment will be considered a day of duty, and the reporting hour under orders involving travel time will normally be not later than 2400 of the reporting date.
Travel time by privately owned vehicle will be based on the rate of 350 miles per day, with an extra day allowed for an excess of 176 miles. Only one day of travel time will be allowed when the official distance is less than 525 miles.
Travel time by common carrier will be based on the rate of 1 hour for each 500 miles traveled by commercial air transportation. Generally, 1 day of travel time is authorized for air travel within CONUS.
Travel time by common carrier will be based on the rate of 1 hour for each 40 miles traveled by commercial surface (bus or rail) transportation.
For commercial transportation, a total of 18 hours of travel equals 1 day of travel time, with any fraction exceeding 18 hours being counted as an additional day.MSO Valdez has a Coast Guard Mutual Aid representative who may be contacted if there is a financial emergency. Mutual Aid may then require that the member set up a finance plan through Consumer Credit Counseling Services before providing assistance.
In addition to Mutual Assistance, the Morale Office is able to make small loans for emergencies.