a. Civilian Employees. A HHT is a discretionary allowance that may be authorized between PDSs located within CONUS and between PDSs in CONUS and non-foreign OCONUS areas. Transportation expenses and per diem for the Civilian employee and spouse may be authorized for up to 10 days. The Standard CONUS per diem rate applies when a HHT is paid under the ‘Lodgings-Plus’ method. DoD components may pay a lump-sum to cover the cost of meals, incidentals, and lodging instead of per diem using the Lodgings-Plus method. The lump-sum, for the Civilian employee and spouse traveling together, is the applicable locality rate multiplied by 6.25. The lump-sum when only one of them travels is the applicable locality rate multiplied by 5. See JTR, Section 0540 for more information about the HTT allowance, eligibility and how it is calculated.
b. Service Members. Transportation and per diem allowances are not authorized for this permissive travel.
(1) Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expense (TQSE). TQSE may be authorized to partially reimburse a Civilian employee for temporary subsistence expenses incurred during a PCS. The Civilian employee’s new PDS must be in the United States (CONUS or Non-Foreign OCONUS) and the new PDS must be at least 50 miles away from the old PDS. There are two types of TQSE: TQSE(AE) for actual expense reimbursement and TQSE(LS) for a lump sum payment. See JTR, Section 0542 for more detailed information on TQSE eligibility and allowances.
(2) Foreign Transfer Allowance (FTA). The FTA helps defray a Civilian employee's excess costs when transferring to a foreign area PDS for up to 10 days prior to departure from the CONUS or non-foreign OCONUS PDS. The FTA is governed by the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR). See DSSR 240 for more detailed information on FTA eligibility and allowances..
(3) Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA). TQSA reimburses a Civilian employee for temporary subsistence expenses after arriving in or preparing to depart from a foreign OCONUS PDS. TQSA is governed by the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR). See DSSR 120 for more detailed information on TQSA eligibility and allowances.
b. Service Members
(1) Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE). The TLE allowance may be authorized to partially reimburse a Service member for temporary subsistence expenses incurred within CONUS upon a PCS. TLE may be authorized for up to 5 or 10 days depending on the location of the new PDS. TLE reimbursement may not exceed $290 per day per family. See JTR, par. 050601-B(4)(b). TLE is calculated based on locality per diem rates, number of dependents, age of dependents and actual lodging expenses. TLE may be temporarily increased to a maximum of 60 days for a PDS experiencing a sudden increase in Service members assigned there or in a Presidentially Declared Disaster Area. See JTR, Section 0506 for more detailed information on TLE eligibility and allowances.
(2) Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA). TLA may be authorized to partially reimburse a Service member for temporary subsistence expenses incurred OCONUS (Foreign or Non-Foreign). The appropriate OCONUS TLA Authority may authorize TLA up to 60 days upon arrival at the OCONUS PDS or up to 10 days prior to departure from the OCONUS PDS. Additional TLA may be authorized when necessary, i.e., when in the Government’s interest and never for personal convenience. See JTR, Section 0903 for more detailed information about TLA and how it is calculated.
(3) TLA Special. TLA Special may be authorized to reimburse for higher than usual OCONUS lodging costs caused by special or unusual circumstances, such as a special event. Commands must submit a TLA Special written request to the PDTATAC Staff for review and written authorization before official travel begins. PDTATAC will not take action on a TLA Special request received after the dates the TLA Special rate was needed, regardless of the circumstances. See JTR, par. 090310 for more detailed information on TLA Special requests.
a. Miscellaneous Expense Allowance (MEA) (Civilian Employees). The MEA partially reimburses a Civilian employee’s miscellaneous PCS relocation expenses that are not reimbursed by other PCS allowances. The MEA is paid as a specific set amount or itemized as a reimbursement for the actual expense. An advance of MEA funds is not authorized. To receive MEA reimbursement, a
civilian employee must submit a travel claim, certify that the old PDS residence has been discontinued,
and certify that a new PDS residence has been established. See JTR, Section 0541 and FTR, Part 302-16 for more detailed information on MEA eligibility and allowances.
b. Dislocation Allowance (DLA) (Service Members). DLA partially reimburses a Service member for miscellaneous PCS relocation expenses. The DLA amount varies by Service member rank and dependency status. DLA is not authorized for a Service member’s final PCS (separation or retirement), first PCS (unless dependents must relocate), or for a Service member without dependents assigned to Government quarters at the new PDS. Partial DLA must be paid to a Service member who is ordered to occupy or vacate Government family-type quarters under specific circumstances. See JTR, Section 0505 for more information.
a. Civilian Employees. Eligible employees may be reimbursed for expenses incurred due to real estate transactions, including expenses due to the sale of a residence at old PDS, purchase of a residence at the new PDS, or settlement of a lease at the old PDS. Reimbursement is limited to a maximum of 10% of the actual sale price of the residence at the old PDS or 5% of the purchase price of a residence at the new PDS. See JTR, par. 053607 and FTR §302-11 for more detailed information on real estate expense reimbursement.
b. Service Members. Reimbursement of real estate expenses is not authorized, for Service members. See the Homeowner’s Assistance Program (HAP) website for assistance that may available for Service members.
a. Civilian Employees. Relocation services is a discretionary allowance that a DoD Component may offer an eligible civilian employee. The DoD National Relocation Program (DNRP) offers authorized transferring DoD civilian employees origin and destination area relocation services, including home marketing assistance, guaranteed home sale, property management services, home finding assistance, and mortgage assistance. Relocation services company third-party contractors provide DNRP relocation services. See JTR, Section 0546 and the Department of Defense National Relocation Program (DNRP) Handbook for more detailed information on relocation services.
(1) Property Management Services. Property management services are intended to reduce the Government’s relocation costs by using these services instead of real estate allowances. Property management services also assist the Civilian employee by offsetting costs associated with retaining a residence at the old CONUS PDS when transferred to an OCONUS duty location. The services include obtaining a tenant, negotiating the lease, inspecting the property regularly, managing repairs and maintenance, enforcing lease terms, collecting the rent, paying the mortgage and other carrying expenses from rental proceeds or the civilian employee’s escrow funds, accounting for the transactions, providing periodic reports to the civilian employee. See JTR par. 054602 for more detailed information on property management services.
(2) Home Marketing Incentive Payments (HMIP). This program allows a home marketing incentive to a Civilian employee who uses the home sale program, and independently and aggressively markets and finds a buyer for the residence. The amount of the incentive may not exceed the lesser of an amount within $10,000, an amount within 1% to 5% of the residence purchase price, or 1/2 of the savings realized from the reduced fee paid to the relocation management company as a result of the civilian employee finding a buyer. See JTR, par. 054607 for more detailed information on HMIP.
b. Service Members. Reimbursement of relocation services expenses is not authorized for Service members. See the Homeowner’s Assistance Program (HAP) website for assistance that may available for Service members.
a. Civilian Employees. Per diem is payable to Civilian employees for any days that travel time is authorized for PCS. Civilian employees are paid per diem under the ‘Lodgings-Plus’ method where the employee is reimbursed for the actual expense incurred for lodging, plus the applicable meals and incidental expense (M&IE) rate. Per diem may not exceed the maximum applicable locality per diem rate. A Civilian employee’s spouse or dependent(s) are reimbursed at a set percentage of the applicable locality per diem rate. See JTR, Section 0539 for more detailed information on PCS travel per diem for Civilian employees and their dependent(s).
b. Service Members. Payment of Service member PCS per diem varies depending on the mode of transportation. A Service member traveling in a POV receives a mileage in lieu of transportation (MALT) as well as the standard CONUS per diem rate. Per diem for commercial travel by air, train, ship or bus is reimbursed using the traditional ‘Lodgings-Plus’ rate for the new PDS or the rate at any delay point where the Service member stops overnight. Per diem for a Service member’s spouse, or dependent(s) is reimbursed at a fraction of the per diem rate. See JTR, par. 050303 for information regarding PCS per diem for dependents. See JTR, Section 0503 for more detailed information on PCS travel per diem for Service members and their dependent(s).
a. Civilian Employees. Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) is a payment to a Civilian employee to cover the difference between the withholding tax allowance and the actual tax liability incurred as a result of relocation benefits received. This allowance reimburses Civilian employees for substantially all income taxes incurred due to relocation. See JTR, par. 0536711 and FTR §302-17 for more detailed information on RITA.
b. Service Members. RITA is not authorized for Service members. Additional taxes for PCS allowances are rarely incurred by Services members. See Tax Information for Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on the IRS website.
a. Civilian Employees. The Agency or Component may waive any limitations on PCS allowances for a civilian employee relocating to or from a remote or isolated location who would otherwise suffer a hardship. PCS allowances authorized by federal statutes or regulations cannot be waived by the Agency, Service, or the Civilian employee. Discretionary PCS allowances may be authorized only if the eligible Civilian employee and dependents meet the required criteria. See JTR, par. 054807 and FTR §302-2.106 for more detailed information on PCS relocation allowance waivers.
b. Service Members. PCS allowances authorized by federal statutes and regulations cannot be waived by the Agency, Service, or the Service member. Discretionary PCS allowances may be authorized only if the eligible Service member and dependents meet the required criteria.
a. Civilian Employees. A TCS provides limited relocation allowances instead of TDY per diem for an extended TDY (6 to 30 months). When a TCS is authorized, the Civilian employee is authorized travel and transportation (including per diem) of dependents, HHG transportation, shipment of POV, relocation income tax allowance, and miscellaneous expense allowance. The Civilian employee may be authorized HHT, TQSE, property management services and NTS for HHG. See JTR, par. 053714 for more detailed information on a TCS.
b. Service Members. A TCS is not authorized for Service members. A Service member is issued TDY or PCS travel orders only. See JTR, par. 010206, and Section 0312.
a. Civilian Employees. A civilian employee must complete all aspects of relocation within 1 year of the effective date of their transfer or appointment. The 1 year time limit may be extended for an additional year in order to complete a residence transaction where any delay was beyond the employee’s control and is acceptable to the Agency. See JTR, par. 053712 and FTR §302-11.21; 302-11.22; and §302-11.23 for more detailed information on PCS time limitations.
b. Service Members. Typically, allowances authorized in a Service member's PCS order are valid until receipt of a new PCS order away from the PDS. Separated and retired Service members’ PCS allowances are limited to 6 months or 1 year, respectively, from the official Service release date unless the Service extends such benefits before the allowances expiration period. Extensions, if authorized, are based on the Government’s interest, not the Service member’s personal convenience. NTS or SIT of HHG transportation charges beyond the limitation period are the Service member’s financial responsibility. See JTR, Table 1-6 and Section 0510 for more detailed information on PCS time limitations.
a. Civilian Employees. Civilian employees and their dependents may choose to travel by POV, by personally-procured commercial transportation or by Government or Government-procured commercial transportation. An AO may direct a Civilian employee to use Government-procured commercial transportation. If the directed mode of transportation is available, and the Civilian employee chooses not to use it, reimbursement for transportation is not permitted. See JTR, par. 053601 for more detailed information on Civilian employee PCS transportation allowances.
b. Service Members. Service members and their dependents must travel using the mode of transportation most advantageous to the Government. Use of POV for PCS transportation is ordinarily advantageous, particularly within CONUS. Government or Government-procured commercial transportation is most advantageous for transoceanic travel. An AO may direct a Service member or a dependent to use Government transportation. A Service member or dependent who, for personal reasons, uses a transportation mode other than the mode directed is not reimbursed for transportation costs. See JTR, par. 050101 and Section 0502 for more detailed information on Service member PCS transportation allowances.
a. Civilian Employees. POV travel is paid to Civilian employees at the standard MALT rate ($0.20/mile effective January 1, 2019 and $0.18/mile if PCS commenced in 2018). See the DTMO Mileage Rate webpage for the most current rates. See JTR, par. 053802 for more detailed information on Civilian employee MALT reimbursement.
b. Service Members. POV travel is paid to Civilian employees and Service members at the standard MALT rate ($0.20/mile effective January 1, 2019 and $0.18/mile if PCS commenced in 2018). See the DTMO Mileage Rate webpage for the most current rates. See JTR, par. 050203 for more detailed information on Service member MALT reimbursement.
a. Civilian Employees. Civilian employees are authorized HHG up to maximum of 18,000 pounds. See JTR, par. 054304. Administrative weight limitations (typically 4,500 pounds) may apply if assigned to an OCONUS location. Furniture items not provided; unaccompanied baggage; and professional books, papers and equipment (PBP&E) may be shipped in addition to the 4,500-pound restriction. See JTR, par. 054304 for more detailed information on Civilian employee HHG weight allowances.
b. Service Members. A Service member may be authorized up to a maximum HHG weight determined by the Service member’s rank and number of dependents. Weight limitations range from 5,000 pounds (for an E-1) to 18,000 pounds (for an O-6 or above). Administrative weight limitations (usually the greater of 25% or 2,500 pounds) may apply if assigned to an OCONUS location. Furniture items not provided; unaccompanied baggage; PBP&E; and medical equipment may be shipped in addition to the weight limitation. See JTR, Section 0514 for more detailed information on Service member HHG weight allowances.
a. Civilian Employees. Eligible Civilian employees may be authorized mobile home transportation instead of HHG transportation. Mobile home transportation is limited to areas within CONUS and Alaska. Reimbursement is limited to what it would have cost the Government to transport the Civilian employee's maximum HHG weight allowance. See JTR, Section 0544 for more detailed information on Civilian employee mobile home transportation.
b. Service Members. Eligible Service members may be authorized mobile home transportation instead of HHG transportation. Mobile home transportation is limited to areas within CONUS and Alaska. Reimbursement is limited to what it would have cost the Government to transport the Service member’s maximum HHG weight allowance. JTR, Chapter 5, Part D for more detailed information on Service member mobile home transportation.
a. Civilian Employees. A Civilian employee may be authorized NTS when they are assigned to an isolated PDS, a PDS that limits HHG transportation, a TCS, or an OCONUS PDS where it is in the Government’s interest to authorize NTS. See JTR, par. 054306 for more detailed information on NTS for Civilian employees.
b. Service Members. A Service member may be authorized NTS for any or all HHG when it is in the Government’s best interest. Each Service may specify circumstances for which NTS is authorized as an alternative to HHG transportation. See JTR, Section 0518-B for more detailed information on NTS for Service members.
(1) CONUS. A Civilian employee may be authorized or approved transportation of POV(s) when such transportation is advantageous and cost effective to the Government. The employee may ship up to 2 POVs. The PCS must be within CONUS and the distance shipped must be at least 600 miles. See JTR par. 054701 for more detailed information on CONUS POV transportation.
(2) OCONUS. POV transportation may be authorized for 1 POV to or from an OCONUS PDS. Shipment of an emergency replacement POV may be authorized if the employee’s current POV is stolen, destroyed or deteriorated due to severe climate conditions. Shipment may be authorized for a non-emergency replacement POV once during a continuous 4-year period of service due to age and normal deterioration. In both cases, the employee must show that an adequate replacement vehicle cannot be obtained in the OCONUS location. See JTR, par. 054701 for more detailed information on OCONUS POV transportation.
b. Service Members
(1) CONUS. A Service member may be authorized or approved transportation of 1 POV within CONUS when the Service member is medically unable to drive or does not have the time to drive. See JTR, par. 052901 for more detailed information on CONUS POV transportation.
(2) OCONUS. Transportation may be authorized for 1 POV during an OCONUS PCS. Shipment may also be authorized for a replacement POV once during any 4-year period. See JTR, Section 0530 for more detailed information on OCONUS POV transportation.
a. Civilian Employees. A civilian employee or dependent is eligible to have a POV stored at Government expense if the civilian employee is TCS in support of a contingency operation, including humanitarian operations, peacekeeping operations, and similar operations. See JTR, par. 032905 for more detailed information on POV storage.
b. Service Members. A Service member is authorized storage of a POV when ordered to an OCONUS PDS to which a POV is not permitted to be transported, or when sent TDY on a contingency operation, for more than 30 days. See JTR, Section 0532 for more detailed information on POV storage.
a. Civilian Employees. The appropriate command OCONUS may authorize a dependent’s return travel to the United States before a civilian employee’s return to the actual residence or travel to an alternate destination when in the Government’s best interest. See JTR, par. 053805 for more detailed information on ERD.
b. Service Members. The Service may authorize an ERD to an authorized location from a non-foreign or foreign OCONUS PDS before the Service member’s OCONUS tour is completed if in the Government’s interest. If a POV is shipped under an ERD travel order, the Service member forfeits the authority to ship a POV upon the OCONUS tour completion. See JTR, par. 050804 or more detailed information on ERD.
