Military & Government Relocation: Benefits and Allowances

If you're in the military or a federal government employee, relocating is part of the job. The average military family moves every 2–3 years, and while the government covers most moving costs, the system of allowances, weight limits, and reimbursement options is complex enough to leave money on the table if you don't understand it.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about PCS moves, PPM/DITY moves, weight allowances, and how to maximize your reimbursement — whether you're active duty, a civilian federal employee, or a State Department worker.

PCS Moves Explained

A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move is an official relocation from one duty station to another. The military arranges and pays for these moves through the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3). Here's how it works:

• You receive PCS orders from your branch specifying your new duty station, report date, and authorized entitlements
• You book through DPS (Defense Personal Property System) at move.mil — the government assigns a Transportation Service Provider (TSP) to handle your move
• The TSP packs, loads, transports, and delivers your household goods at no cost to you
• You're responsible for being available for pickup/delivery, preparing items for transport, and filing claims for any damage

What's Covered

• Packing materials and labor
• Loading and unloading
• Transportation of household goods up to your weight allowance
• Up to 90 days of storage at government expense (with extensions available)
• Full replacement value protection for your belongings

What's NOT Covered

• Perishable food, hazardous materials, plants
• Vehicles (shipped separately under a different entitlement)
• Items exceeding your weight allowance (you pay the overage)
• Personal items you choose to hand-carry

Government-Arranged vs. PPM/DITY Moves

You have two primary options for a PCS move, and understanding the difference can save (or earn) you thousands:

Government-Arranged (HHG) Move

The government hires a moving company to pack and transport your belongings. You do minimal work — they handle everything. This is the default option and the easiest path.

Personally Procured Move (PPM) — Formerly DITY

You move yourself (rent a truck, hire your own movers, or use a portable container) and the government reimburses you based on what the government-arranged move would have cost. The key advantage: you pocket the difference between the government's reimbursement and your actual costs.

• Reimbursement: 100% of what the government would have paid a TSP (calculated by weight and distance)
• Potential profit: If the government rate is $5,000 and your DIY costs are $2,000, you keep the $3,000 difference (minus taxes — PPM income is taxable)
• You must weigh your vehicle/container empty and loaded to prove the weight you shipped
• Partial PPM: You can do a combination — let the government ship most of your goods and PPM a portion yourself for extra cash

Weight Allowances by Rank

Your authorized weight allowance depends on your rank and whether you have dependents:

Pro tip: Weigh yourself before the move. If you're close to your limit, declutter or ship some items separately. Overweight charges come directly out of your pocket.

Dislocation Allowance (DLA)

DLA is a flat-rate payment to help cover the miscellaneous expenses of relocating — things like security deposits, utility connections, and temporary living costs that aren't covered elsewhere.

• Amount: Varies by rank and dependency status, roughly $800–$3,600 (updated annually)
• Paid automatically with your PCS travel voucher — you don't need to apply separately
• No receipts required — it's a flat payment regardless of your actual expenses
• Paid once per PCS, not per family member

Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)

TLE covers hotel and meal costs when you're between homes during a CONUS (Continental US) move:

• Up to 14 days total — can be split between departure and arrival locations
• Covers lodging and meals at the government per diem rate for your location
• You must submit receipts for lodging; meals are reimbursed at a flat rate (no receipts needed)
• TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) is the overseas equivalent, offering up to 60 days at OCONUS locations

Overseas Moves (OCONUS): Special Considerations

PCS moves to or from overseas locations add significant complexity:

• Unaccompanied baggage (UB): A separate, smaller shipment (typically 600–1,000 lbs) that arrives faster than your main household goods. Use it for essentials you'll need immediately.
• Vehicle shipping: The government ships one privately owned vehicle (POV) to/from most OCONUS locations. Processing takes 4–8 weeks.
• Storage: Non-temporary storage (NTS) at government expense for items that can't ship overseas (large furniture, second vehicle, etc.) — typically up to the duration of your overseas tour
• Customs restrictions: Research your destination country's import restrictions. Some countries limit electronics, food items, or require specific documentation.
• Electrical considerations: Many overseas locations use 220V power. Your 110V American appliances may not work without transformers.

Filing Claims for Damaged Items

Damage during military moves is unfortunately common. Here's how to protect yourself:

• Document everything before the move — photograph or video every room, every piece of furniture, every valuable item. Date-stamped photos are your best evidence.
• Inspect at delivery — check items as they come off the truck. Note any damage on the inventory form before signing.
• File claims through DPS (move.mil) within 75 days of delivery for full replacement value
• Keep all receipts for items you purchased to replace damaged goods
• Full Replacement Value (FRV) protection is the default for military moves — the TSP must repair, replace, or pay the current replacement cost of damaged items

GSA Relocation for Civilian Federal Employees

Federal civilian employees who relocate for government service receive benefits through the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR):

• Household goods shipment up to 18,000 lbs net weight
• En route travel — mileage reimbursement or airfare for you and your family
• Temporary quarters subsistence expense (TQSE) — up to 120 days of lodging and meals
• Miscellaneous expense allowance — a flat amount for incidental relocation costs
• Real estate transaction expenses — the government may reimburse costs of selling your old home and purchasing a new one
• Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) — covers the additional tax burden created by taxable relocation reimbursements

State Department Moves

Foreign Service Officers and State Department employees follow similar but distinct rules:

• Higher weight allowances — up to 18,000 lbs for most assignments, with additional allowances for consumables at hardship posts
• Consumables shipment — at certain posts, you can ship food, household supplies, and other consumables separately
• R&R travel — paid travel back to the US during overseas tours
• Separate Maintenance Allowance — if your family cannot accompany you to post

Tips for Maximizing Your Reimbursement

1. Consider a partial PPM — ship heavy items via government HHG, move lightweight items yourself for PPM profit
2. Weigh your shipment carefully — get official weight tickets at a certified scale (CAT scales at truck stops work)
3. Keep every receipt — truck rental, fuel, tolls, packing supplies, meals during travel. Even if not all are reimbursable, they may be tax-deductible.
4. Use your DLA wisely — it's meant to cover out-of-pocket costs, but any remainder is yours to keep
5. File your travel voucher promptly — delays mean delayed reimbursement. Submit within 5 days of arrival at your new duty station.
6. Don't exceed your weight allowance — overages are 100% your responsibility. Weigh your shipment before the move if you're concerned.
7. Use non-temporary storage strategically — items in NTS don't count against your weight allowance during an overseas tour
8. Consult a tax professional — PPM income is taxable, but many moving-related expenses may be deductible. A military-savvy tax preparer can save you hundreds.

Choosing Between Government-Arranged and Self-Move

Here's a quick decision framework:

• Choose government-arranged if: You have a large household, you're moving long distance or overseas, you don't have time to manage the move yourself, or you want maximum convenience with minimum effort.
• Choose PPM if: You have a smaller household (under 5,000 lbs), the move is relatively short distance, you're comfortable managing logistics, and you want to pocket the difference in reimbursement.
• Choose a partial PPM if: You want the best of both worlds — let the government handle the bulk while earning some extra cash on items you move yourself.