Is a personally procured move (PPM/DITY) worth it?

It can be. With a PPM you are reimbursed 100 percent of what the government would have paid a contractor, and if you move for less you keep the difference. On longer moves that can be thousands of dollars. The trade-offs: more work and planning, and the net proceeds are taxable income reported on your W-2, which can raise your tax bill by thousands in that year. Keep every weight ticket and receipt, and set aside money for the tax.

What happens if I go over my PCS weight allowance?

You pay for the overage out of pocket, often around one dollar or more per pound, so a 500-pound overage can cost 500 to 1,000 dollars or more. Weight allowances run from about 5,000 pounds (E-1) to 18,000 pounds (senior grades) based on rank and dependents. Declutter before the move, list professional gear (pro-gear) separately at pack-out so it does not count against your household-goods allowance, and get an estimate.

STANDWATCH™ · EDUCATION · PCS & MOVING

The PCS Guide

Q: What PCS allowances am I entitled to?

A PCS pays through several separate entitlements, not one lump sum: Dislocation Allowance (DLA) to set up the new household, Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE, CONUS) or Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA, overseas) for lodging between homes, per diem for travel days, Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT) at 0.235 dollars per mile for driving (the rate since July 1, 2026), and a Personally Procured Move (PPM/DITY) payment if you move yourself. Each has its own rules and paperwork. Verify your specific amounts with your finance and transportation offices.

Q: Can I get an advance on my PCS pay?

Often yes. You can request an advance for certain entitlements, including DLA and PPM, to cover upfront costs like fuel, lodging, and a truck rental. Ask your finance office what qualifies before your move so you are not floating the whole move on a credit card.

Money and logistics for a PCS: allowances, the timeline, housing, records, kids and school, and the traps that cost families.

A PCS is one of the biggest financial events in military life, and the paperwork is scattered across finance, transportation, and travel offices that don't talk to each other. This free guide pulls it together: what each allowance is, when to file, government move vs. PPM, and the mistakes that cost families hundreds or thousands of dollars. No sales pitch, no lead-selling.

90 daysout: when the PCS timeline and most of its clocks start

8 SECTIONS · BASED ON DTMO, JTR & MILITARY ONESOURCE · REVIEWED JULY 2026

PCSing means new phone & internet bills: Connection Watch →

The short answer: PCS money is a bundle of separate entitlements, not one lump sum, starting with the timeline at 90 days out. Dislocation Allowance is a one-time payment for costs like deposits and utility hookups: for 2026 partial DLA is $1,002.71, generally once per fiscal year, and it is not automatic; file with finance to get it.

BEFORE YOU READ: A FEW QUICK NOTES

Educational only: not advice. This is general information, not advice for your situation. Rates and rules change every year and depend on your orders. For real numbers, use your DTS travel order, your finance office, and your transportation (TMO) office. Not the government. StandWatch is a private, veteran-owned company, not affiliated with or endorsed by the DoD, the military services, or any government agency. Confirm details below against the official sources at the bottom.

START HERE

The money: your PCS allowances

PCS money is not one lump sum. It's a bundle of separate entitlements, each with its own paperwork and timing. Miss one and you don't get it.

Dislocation Allowance (DLA)

A one-time flat payment for costs no other allowance covers: deposits, utility hook-ups, cleaning fees. Official rule The amount depends on rank and dependents, and changes yearly. For 2026 partial DLA is $1,002.71, and full DLA scales up from there. You generally get one DLA per fiscal year. It's not automatic: file with finance, and you can request it in advance.

NOTE

No DLA when you separate or retire from active duty; Guard/Reserve entering or leaving active duty usually aren't eligible either. No dependents plus government quarters at the new station may also mean no DLA. Check eligibility with finance first.

Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE): CONUS

TLE vs TLA: day limits and claim steps →

Reimburses hotel and meals while you're between homes. Official rule Up to 21 days combined for a CONUS move (raised from 14 days effective November 27, 2024). Split it if you want: a few days at the old station during pack-out, the rest at the new one waiting on housing. StandWatch guidance One of the most-forgotten claims, worth $1,000 or more. Requires itemized nightly lodging receipts: flat summary statements get rejected.

Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA): OCONUS

The overseas equivalent of TLE. It usually runs longer (often up to 60 days, sometimes more) because overseas housing takes longer to find. Rates are based on the overseas per diem for your location.

Per diem (travel days)

A daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidentals on your travel days. Official rule The service member gets 100% of the rate. Dependents age 12 and older get 75%, dependents under 12 get 50%. Rates are set by the Defense Travel Management Office and vary by location; your travel office calculates it from your authorized travel days.

Travel days: the JTR formula, with worked examples →

Want the whole move on one page? Open the PCS Kit →

Selling a home? Run the sell vs rent-out calculator →

MALT (mileage for driving)

The per-mile rate for driving your own vehicle to the new station. Rate snapshot For travel on or after July 1, 2026 it's $0.235 per mile; it was $0.205 from January 1 through June 30, 2026. This is the PCS rate, lower than the TDY mileage rate. Track your odometer and report your mileage.

PPM / DITY payment

Move your own household goods instead of using a government contractor, and the government pays you for it. It gets its own section below: the biggest decision, and the biggest money, in the whole move.

INTERACTIVE · PLANNING ESTIMATE ONLY

Quick travel-day, MALT & per diem estimator

Rough numbers for budgeting the drive. Your orders, the JTR, and finance office control the real amounts.

ONE-WAY OFFICIAL MILES DEPENDENTS 12 & OLDER DEPENDENTS UNDER 12 DAILY PER DIEM RATE ($)

Uses the JTR baseline of one travel day per 350 miles and the MALT rate of $0.235/mile, in effect since July 1, 2026 (travel before that date paid $0.205). $178/day is the FY2026 standard CONUS per diem; your route's locality rate may differ, so check travel.dod.mil. First and last travel days pay reduced M&IE: treat this as a ceiling. Nothing typed here is sent to StandWatch.

PRO TIP

Ask finance about an advance on DLA and PPM before you leave. A PCS front-loads costs (deposits, fuel, a truck), and an advance keeps you off a credit card at interest.

WHEN TO DO WHAT

The timeline: 90 days out to arrival

Here's the sequence that keeps you from scrambling, adjusted to your report date and branch's rules.

As soon as you have orders (60–90+ days out)

Read your orders and confirm your report-no-later-than date.
Schedule your move in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), or MilMove if your branch uses it (your TMO will point you to the right system). Book pack-out and pickup dates early: summer PCS season fills up fast.
Decide government move vs. PPM (next section).
Start decluttering: every pound you don't move can't push you over your weight allowance.

30–60 days out

Line up housing at the new station (on-base waitlist or off-base search) and check the new BAH rate.
Request an advance on DLA/PPM if you need it.
Get school records, medical records, and pet paperwork in order (see Records and Family below).
Arrange travel: driving route and lodging, or flights and vehicle shipment for OCONUS.

The final weeks

At pack-out: be present, and list pro-gear separately so it doesn't count against your household-goods weight.
Photograph valuables and note existing damage; keep your inventory sheets.
Keep every receipt: lodging (itemized), fuel, tolls, truck rental, packing supplies.

After you arrive

File your travel voucher promptly: TLE, per diem, MALT, DLA, and the PPM claim.
Update DEERS and your address; re-check BAH for the new zip code.
Inspect your delivered household goods. Give notice of loss or damage in DPS within 180 days of delivery, with photos. Then file the itemized claim on time to keep full replacement value: 9 months from delivery for shipments picked up on or before May 14, 2026, and 12 months for shipments picked up on or after May 15, 2026.

THE BIG DECISION

Government move vs. PPM/DITY

There's no single right answer here: it depends on how much stuff you have, how far you're going, and how much work you want to do.

Government move (HHG)

The military hires a contractor to pack, ship, and deliver your goods. You pay nothing within your weight limit, and you skip the heavy lifting. The trade-off: no extra cash, and you're stuck with the contractor's schedule and care.

PPM (Personally Procured Move, formerly DITY)

Move your own goods, whether that means renting a truck, doing it yourself, or hiring help. Official rule The government reimburses you 100% of what it would have paid the contractor (the Government Constructed Cost). Move for less and you keep the difference. On a long move, that can be thousands of dollars.

2026 UPDATE

PPM reimbursement is back to 100% of the government's constructed cost for 2026. It was temporarily raised to 130% in summer 2025 for contractor problems, but that's ended. Don't budget off an old 130% figure.

TAX TRAP

PPM net proceeds are taxable income. The gross payment lands on your W-2 as ordinary income and can push your tax bill up by several thousand dollars in a year you weren't expecting it: the #1 PPM surprise. Set aside a chunk for taxes, adjust withholding if needed, and keep every weight ticket and receipt: documented expenses lower the taxable amount.

StandWatch guidance Rule of thumb: the longer the move and the lighter you pack, the more a PPM tends to pay. Run the numbers both ways with your TMO, and remember the tax bite.

WHERE YOU'LL LIVE

Housing & BAH

Your housing costs change the day you arrive, and so does your Basic Allowance for Housing.

BAH is tied to the new duty zip code, your rank, and dependent status. Look it up before you sign a lease: it can be higher or lower than your current rate.
On-base housing usually means you forfeit BAH (it goes to the housing office) but skip rent. Off-base means you keep BAH and pay rent yourself: pocket the difference if you're below your rate.
Get on the on-base waitlist early if that's your plan; lists move slowly during PCS season.
Watch the dependency-timing trap: a marriage or new baby between orders and arrival can change your BAH rate. If the new rate is lower, a dependency change can affect individual-rate protection: ask finance about sequencing the update.

STANDWATCH TOOL

Once you know your new rent or mortgage, our free tools keep the rest of the budget honest: Savings Watch for your emergency fund, and Rate Watch if you're buying with a VA loan.

DON'T LOSE THESE

Records, documents & DEERS

A move is where paperwork disappears. Hand-carry the originals: never put these in the truck.

Hand-carry: orders (several copies), IDs and CACs, birth/marriage certificates, Social Security cards, passports, wills and powers of attorney, vehicle titles, and your receipts folder.
Medical & dental records: request copies before you leave; they can take weeks. Carry them or confirm they transfer to the new MTF.
DEERS: update your address and dependency changes right after arrival so pay, TRICARE, and benefits stay correct.
Financial housekeeping: update your address with your bank, USAA/Navy Federal, the IRS, and the VA; redirect mail; update auto insurance for the new state (premiums and minimums vary by state).

THE WHOLE FAMILY MOVES

Kids, school & spouse

The logistics that get overlooked on a PCS are usually the ones about people, not boxes.

School records & the Interstate Compact: request official school records early. The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children helps with enrollment, records, and course/graduation continuity when you cross state lines: ask the new district.
School Liaison Officer: most installations have one who helps military families with school transitions. Use them.
Child care: get on the new base's CDC waitlist early; Military OneSource can help with off-base options.
Spouse employment & licensing: if your spouse holds a professional license, look into interstate license portability early. Many states have expedited processes for military spouses, and DoD reimbursement can cover relicensing costs in some cases.
Pets: OCONUS moves have strict timelines for vaccinations, microchips, and paperwork: start months ahead. Some locations restrict breeds or require quarantine.

START HERE

Military OneSource (militaryonesource.mil) and your installation's Military & Family Readiness / Army Community Service office are official, free starting points for relocation help, spouse employment, school, and financial counseling. Use them before you pay anyone.

WHERE PEOPLE LOSE MONEY

The money traps

These mistakes cost military families the most on a PCS. None are obvious, and official checklists rarely warn you.

Forgetting to claim TLE. Families skip it or lose it to non-itemized receipts. It can be worth $1,000+.
Not withholding for the PPM tax hit. It feels like a bonus until April. Set money aside up front.
Going over the weight allowance. A few hundred pounds over can cost hundreds of dollars. Declutter to stay under it.
Mixing pro-gear into household goods. Listed separately at pack-out, it doesn't count against your allowance; mixed in, it can push you over.
Floating the whole move on a credit card. Advances on DLA/PPM exist for a reason: 20%+ interest is a hidden cost.
Not re-checking BAH for the new zip. Assuming your rate stays the same can blow a housing budget.
Missing the claims windows. Notice of loss/damage is due within 180 days of delivery, the itemized claim within 9 months (12 months for pickups on or after May 15, 2026). Photograph everything and file promptly in DPS.

WATCH OUT

PCS season brings out moving and rental scams: fake listings demanding a deposit before you can see the place, "military discount" movers that aren't legitimate, anyone pressuring you to wire money fast. Never send a deposit for housing you (or someone you trust) haven't confirmed in person, and use base housing referral offices when you can.

FREE HELP YOU ALREADY EARNED

Free help for your move

Two offices on your installation can take real cost and stress out of a PCS, and both are free.

Your family support center's relocation program. Sponsorship at the new base, pre-arrival info, a loan closet for household items in transit, and a financial counselor for the move. Army: Army Community Service (ACS). Air Force and Space Force: the Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC). Navy: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC). Marine Corps: Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS). Coast Guard: Health, Safety and Work-Life (HSWL). Or call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647.
Legal assistance (JAG). A free attorney review of your lease before you sign, so it includes your state's military clauses. Use any branch's office. Find one with the Armed Forces Legal Assistance locator at legalassistance.law.af.mil.
Emergency help if the move outruns your reimbursements. Your branch aid society offers interest-free loans and grants: Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.

These services are open to any branch. Military OneSource offers the same support by phone or secure chat at 800-342-9647.

See the full Military & Veteran Money Resources directory for VA financial counseling, emergency assistance, legal help, and utility discounts.

QUICK ANSWERS

PCS FAQ

What PCS allowances am I entitled to?+

A PCS pays through several entitlements, not one lump sum: DLA for the new household, TLE (CONUS) or TLA (overseas) for lodging between homes, per diem for travel days, MALT at $0.235/mile for driving, and a PPM/DITY payment if you move yourself. Check exact amounts with finance and TMO.

Is a PPM/DITY move worth it?+

Often, yes. You're reimbursed 100% of what the government would have paid a contractor, and you keep the difference if you move for less: thousands on a long move. The catch: more work, and the net proceeds are taxable W-2 income that can raise your tax bill by thousands. Keep weight tickets and receipts, and set money aside for the tax.

What if I go over my weight allowance?+

You pay it out of pocket: often ~$1+/pound, so 500 pounds over can cost $500–$1,000+. Allowances run ~5,000 lbs (E-1) to 18,000 lbs (senior grades), by rank and dependents. Declutter, and list pro-gear separately at pack-out so it doesn't count against household goods.

Can I get an advance on my PCS pay?+

Often yes, on entitlements like DLA and PPM, to cover fuel, lodging, and a truck rental. Ask finance what qualifies before your move so you're not stuck on a credit card.

How long do I have to file a damage claim?+

For a government (HHG) move, give notice of loss or damage within 180 days of delivery in DPS, with photos. Then file the itemized claim on time to keep full replacement value: 9 months from delivery for pickups on or before May 14, 2026, or 12 months for pickups on or after May 15, 2026 with your original inventory sheets. (The old 75-day notice window only applies to HHG picked up before May 15, 2020, and NTS shipments before July 1, 2021.) PPM moves generally don't carry the same claims protection unless items were damaged in an accident.

SOURCES

Sources & where to verify

Rules and rates change. Confirm your specifics against these official sources and your own finance/transition office:

Military OneSource: DLA, moving, spouse, and relocation help. militaryonesource.mil (accessed July 2026).
Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO): DLA, per diem, MALT rates. travel.dod.mil (accessed July 2026).
Joint Travel Regulations (JTR): the authoritative rules for entitlements and weight allowances. JTR (accessed July 2026).
Your DTS travel order, finance office, and TMO: the only authoritative source for the actual dollars you'll be paid.

Recent updates

We log substantive changes so you can see this guide is maintained:

September 27, 2026: Updated MALT to $0.235 per mile, the rate for travel on or after July 1, 2026 (up from $0.205), per GSA and the Defense Travel Management Office. The estimator uses the new rate.
July 1, 2026: Corrected TLE to the current 21-day CONUS limit (raised from 14 days effective November 27, 2024, per DTMO).
July 1, 2026: Corrected per diem for dependents: the rate is age-based (12 and older receive 75%, under 12 receive 50%), not based on dependent order.
July 2, 2026: Updated claims deadlines per Military OneSource: shipments picked up on or after May 15, 2026 now have 12 months to file the itemized claim (9 months for earlier pickups); notice window is 180 days for current HHG and NTS moves.
July 1, 2026: Corrected household-goods claims: notice of loss/damage is due within 180 days of delivery and the itemized claim within 9 months (the old 75-day rule ended for shipments picked up on or after May 15, 2020).
July 1, 2026: Added an interactive travel-day, MALT & per diem estimator.
July 1, 2026: Guide published: 2026 DLA/MALT figures, PPM back to 100%, timeline, housing, records, family, and money traps.

MILITARY LIFE MONEY MOMENTS

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The money side of military life, one moment at a time.

All Money Moments → · Deployment Money Guide →

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