Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) - Frequently Asked Questions

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Allowances > Frequently Asked Questions > Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)

Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: 04 December 2018

See JTR, Section 0506 for specific information and regulatory guidance on Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE). See Computing Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) for how to calculate TLE and PDT Computation Example 17 for additional examples of TLE calculations.

1. What is the purpose of TLE?

The purpose of TLE is to partially reimburse lodging and meal expenses when a Service member or their dependent(s) occupy temporary lodging in the CONUS in connection with a PCS. TLE may not cover all of the lodging and meal expenses incurred. See JTR, par. 050105.

2. What is temporary lodging?

Temporary lodging is lodging (including “Temporary Lodging Facilities” as defined in JTR, Appendix A) used as a temporary place of residence. Lodging occupied upon initial arrival at a new PDS or designated location which is permanent-type residence quarters, occupied indefinitely, is not temporary lodging.

3. Where must the temporary lodging be located?

The temporary lodging must be in the vicinity of the old or new PDS, the home of record, an initial technical school, or a designated place. See JTR, par. 050601-A.

4. May I be paid TLE for the same days that PCS per diem is payable?

No. You may not be paid TLE on any day that you are paid PCS per diem for travel time. If per diem for travel time is not paid, TLE may be paid not to exceed the number of days authorized. See JTR, par 050601-B1.

5. What is my TLE allowance for an acquired dependent traveling to the current PDS?

An acquired dependent is a ‘new’ dependent gained through marriage, adoption, or other action during the current tour of assigned duty. Acquired dependents are not dependents born of a marriage that existed before the beginning of the current tour. See JTR, Appendix A for definition. An acquired dependent that becomes your dependent after your PCS order’s effective date is not eligible for TLE. An acquired dependent that becomes your dependent before your PCS order’s effective date is eligible for TLE in the vicinity of the place where he or she became your dependent. See JTR, Table 5-12.

6. Am I required to use Government quarters?

Yes. You must use available Government quarters (including temporary lodging facilities) in the area of the old or new PDS. If there are no Government quarters or they are unavailable, you must provide a non-availability confirmation number provided by your lodging reservation process or a signed statement that Government quarters were not available. The non-availability confirmation number or signed statement is required to receive TLE payment for commercial lodging. See JTR, par. 050601-B4a.

7. Am I paid TLE if I am assigned family-type Government quarters?

Only if the assigned family-type quarters are not occupied because:

a. HHG have not been shipped from the old PDS;

b. HHG have not been received at the new PDS;

c. The quarters are undergoing repair or renovation.

See JTR, par. Table 5-16..

8. Do I have to provide lodging receipts?

Yes. Receipts for lodging are required to support the lodging costs. See JTR, par. 010301.

9. Will TLE be paid for days I stay with friends or relatives?

Yes and no. When a Service member or dependent stay with friends or relatives only the TLE meal portion is payable. Lodging reimbursement is not authorized. See JTR, par. 050601-B4c(3).

10. Will I be paid TLE for my first or last PCS?

The law authorizing TLE does not permit TLE payment to you when moving from a PDS because you are leaving active duty. You may be paid TLE incident to a move when you are entering active duty at your first PDS.

11. Can I be paid TLE and my spouse paid TQSE Allowance at the same time?

Yes and no. TLE and Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expense (TQSE) Allowance both may be paid as long as TLE and TQSE payments cover different expenses. Duplicate payment for the same expenses is not authorized. See JTR, Sec. 0542.

12. For how many days may I be authorized TLE?

TLE may be authorized for 5-10 days, depending on the PDS location. See JTR, Table 5-13 for detailed information on authorized TLE locations and time limits. See JTR, par. 050601-B3 for locations at which TLE reimbursement has been temporarily increased to 60 days.

13. How much will I be paid per day?

You will be paid a daily reimbursement that is a percentage of the locality per diem rate where you lodged temporarily. The applicable percentage of the locality per diem rate is determined by the number and type of individual(s) (Service member or dependent) who are occupying temporary lodging. Regardless of the locality per diem rate, TLE payment must not exceed $290 per day.

Number of Eligible Persons Occupying Temporary Quarters	Percentage Rate Applicable
Service member or one dependent	65%
Service member and one dependent, or two dependents only	100%
Each additional dependent 12 years of age or older	35%
Each additional dependent younger than 12 years of age	25%

See JTR, par. 050601-B4b for more detailed information on TLE payments and restrictions.

14. Is TLE calculated differently if my spouse and I are both Service members?

Yes. If you and your spouse are both Service members, each of you is authorized TLE independently. You each may be paid or reimbursed up to $290/day. You may not claim each other or the same dependent(s) when determining what percentage rate to apply to the locality per diem rate (see Question #14). You and your spouse are authorized TLE whether or not temporary lodgings are jointly or separately occupied. Each of you must certify that temporary lodgings were occupied for the number of days that TLE is claimed. See JTR, par. 050601-B4c(1).

15. How is TLE computed?

See Computing Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)..