A permanent change of station (PCS) is one of the largest financial events in a military career. Between deposits, temporary lodging, travel days and household goods, families often front real money before reimbursement arrives. The Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) describes a dislocation allowance (DLA) as an allowance that "partially reimburses a service member for expenses incurred when moving a household" (travel.dod.mil). Because most PCS entitlements are reimbursements rather than up-front payments, the families who map their cash flow earliest tend to feel the least strain.
This checklist walks through what to review before, during and after the move. It is educational only, and specific entitlements depend on your orders, branch and circumstances.
Before the move: build the money picture
Confirm your orders and entitlements in writing. Your approved orders and any amendments are the foundation of every claim. The Army's official benefits site lists a complete set of orders and all amendments as a required document when claiming PCS entitlements (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). Read them before you commit to any lease, closing date or moving date.
Understand what DLA is and when it may arrive. DLA is a flat amount based on your grade and dependency status on the PCS order's effective date, and generally only one DLA payment is permitted per fiscal year unless an exception in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) applies (travel.dod.mil). The Army benefits site states that, under the October 2022 policy changes, DLA payments for all service members "will be paid automatically one month prior to their move date to pre-empt out-of-pocket expenses" (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). Current DLA rates by grade are published by DTMO, so check the current table rather than a figure from an older article.
Plan around temporary lodging limits. Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) "partially reimburses a Service member for the cost of lodging and meals when they or a dependent occupy temporary lodging during a PCS move." Effective November 27, 2024, the CONUS TLE period increased from 14 days to 21 days, and service members in designated CONUS military housing areas with a housing shortage may be authorized up to 60 days (myairforcebenefits.us.af.mil). Budget for the gap between what TLE covers and your actual lodging and meal costs.
Ask about travel advances before you need them. DFAS explains that advance travel payments may be authorized "if the Member is not a Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) holder or an advance is not specifically prohibited in the orders" (dfas.mil). For Army members who hold the card, an advance may only be authorized for DLA, and the GTCC must be used for other PCS travel expenses. Advance Basic Pay and advance Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) may also be available; the Army benefits site notes that advance BAH cannot exceed three months of BAH expected to accrue and is repaid in 12 equal monthly installments (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). An advance is a loan against future pay, so weigh the repayment against your monthly budget.
Handle your lease deliberately. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), a service member with PCS orders may terminate a residential lease without penalty by delivering written notice plus a copy of the orders, generally effective 30 days after the next rent payment is due (home.army.mil). Keep proof of delivery. The Army benefits site also advises having a lease reviewed by the Housing Services Office before signing and confirming it incorporates SCRA protections (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil).
Consider spouse licensing costs. The Army benefits site notes that under the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, each service branch may reimburse up to $1,000 for a spouse's relicensure and certification costs resulting from a PCS that crosses state lines (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). Eligibility and the process vary by branch.
During the move: track every dollar
Keep receipts that meet the documentation standard. The Army benefits site lists the elements a receipt should show: company name, date the item or service was provided, cost, taxes shown separately, and proof of payment marked "paid" or showing $0.00 due (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). Photograph receipts as you go, since originals can be lost in transit.
Document household goods carefully. Declare Professional Books, Papers, and Equipment (PBP&E/Pro-Gear) in the Defense Personal Property System. When properly declared, that weight does not count against your total shipment weight, and PBP&E is limited to 2,000 pounds net weight (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). Review the inventory before signing and note any loss or damage at delivery on the required form.
Note delays for possible inconvenience claims. The Army benefits site explains that an inconvenience claim may apply when a Transportation Service Provider fails to pick up or deliver on the required dates, or places a shipment into storage in transit without notice (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). Record dates and keep your transportation office informed.
Keep your cash buffer visible. Because reimbursements lag the move, families may want to track a running total of out-of-pocket costs against expected reimbursements so a shortfall does not become a surprise.
After the move: file claims and close the loop
Submit your travel voucher with complete documentation. The DD Form 1351-2 voucher, a complete set of orders and all amendments, and qualifying receipts are the core of a PCS claim (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). DFAS advises keeping a copy of your submission and checking claim status online (dfas.mil).
File loss or damage claims within the deadline. For property lost or damaged in transit, notice should go to the Transportation Service Provider at delivery or afterward, and a claim must be filed through the Defense Personal Property System within nine months of the delivery date (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil). Gathering manufacturer, purchase year and cost details early makes the claim easier to complete.
Check the tax treatment of your move. For active duty members moving under military orders incident to a PCS, unreimbursed moving expenses may be deductible and reimbursed moving expenses may be excludable from income. The IRS states that eligible expenses include household goods, personal effects, storage and traveling expenses including lodging, but not meals, and that expenses covered by government reimbursements excluded from income cannot be deducted (IRS.gov, Topic no. 455). Moving expenses are figured on Form 3903. The IRS notes this treatment is specific to active duty members moving under military orders; the general moving expense deduction is suspended for most other taxpayers (IRS.gov, Topic no. 455).
Reconcile and update your plan. Compare what you spent against what was reimbursed, confirm advance repayment terms are reflected in your pay, and adjust your emergency fund target for the next move.
The bottom line
A PCS rewards preparation more than speed. Confirming entitlements in your orders, understanding DLA and TLE timing, asking about advances before the move, and keeping complete documentation can help reduce the cash-flow gap between what you spend and what you are reimbursed. Because entitlements depend on grade, dependency status, orders and location, individual circumstances vary significantly. Consider reviewing your specific situation with your local finance or transportation office, and consult a qualified financial advisor familiar with military benefits.