Fort Bliss Monitor

Military moving allowances

Betty Donley
Relocation Readiness Program Mgr.

The Army pays Soldiers certain allowances to help offset the cost of moving. Learn which allowances you are eligible for, then create a relocation budget that accounts for utility deposits, home-closing costs, travel expenditures and vehicle servicing. Also start an expense log that documents the amount you spend. This can be a reference when planning future moves.

Advance Pay – Soldiers may draw up to three months’ advance pay, which is usually repaid in equal installments over 12 months. An advance housing allowance may also be paid if money for rental housing is needed and the unit commander approves it. Thi allowance is in addition to advance pay and the dislocation allowance. Military finance officials advise Soldiers to keep pay advances to a minimum, since paying them back can cause financial hardships.

Dislocation Allowance – Soldiers and families are entitled to a dislocation allowance to offset hidden costs such as rent deposits and utility hookups. Single Soldiers are eligible for the dislocation allowance when they cannot check into government quarters at their new base or when authorized by their unit commanders to occupy nonmilitary housing at their permanent duty stations. Current rates are available at www.dtic.mil/perdiem/dla.html.

Mileage Allowance – The Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation covers the cost of driving to a new duty station. It is computed using tables of mileage between the old and new duty stations. MALT is als paid to those going overseas if they drive from their stateside permanent-duty stations to the port of embarkation for a transcontinental plane or ship, and from the port of debarkation to the new duty station. Family members driving second cars to their new duty stations are also authorized MALT. Prior authorization is required for third cars.

Money for Travel and Lodging – Soldiers may ask the government to provide tickets, vouchers or reimbursement for air, train and bus travel. The reimbursable amount cannot exceed what the government would have paid, and original receipts must be kept. Check with the transportation or travel offices to be sure the government will pick up the tab.

Move-in Housing Allowance – Soldiers assigned to many overseas locations can receive the MIHA to help meet expenses for major appliances or other improvements, or to pay nonrefundable, rent-related taxes and fees. Overseas apartments often come without such basic furnishings as kitchen cabinets and light fixtures.
To be eligible for MIHA, Soldiers must also be eligible for the overseas housing allowance. Rates are set by location. To apply for MIHA, complete DD Forms 2556 and 2367, which are available at overseas personnel-support offices. You will need receipts.

Per Diem Allowance – Along with dislocation and mileage allowances, food and lodging costs are provided for while on the move, both stateside and overseas. This allowance is paid at a flat daily rate that depends on the means of travel. The rate ranges from $25 to $50 per person.

Temporary Lodging Allowance – New arrivals at overseas bases are eligible for TLA to partly offset the costs of temporary housing and meals, even if they move into temporary government quarters. The amount depends on family size, local per diem rate, actual cost of quarters, whether the quarters have cooking facilities and other allowances the Soldier is receiving. TLA is paid in 10- or 15-day increments, and usually has a 60-day limit for those arriving and a 10-day limit for those departing.

Temporary Lodging Expense – TLE is provided to offset the costs of temporary lodging and meals incurred at Stateside locations. TLE amounts can be as much as $110 per day.

This is the second in a series of articles on relocation made easy. It is reprinted from the U.S. Army magaine ‘Hot Topics,’ Current Issues for Army leaders.

Shipping

Autos

Soldiers may ship one privately owned vehicle at government expense to and from overseas duty stations. Not all cars can be taken overseas, however, as host nations have their own requirements for the condition of arriving cars. Also, upkeep and parts for American-made autos may be difficult to find in some overseas locations.

Boats, boat trailers and mobile homes are sometimes authorized for movement, but the weight often exceeds the Soldier’s allowance. PPSO counselors can advise Soldiers on entitlements, responsibilities and documents needed for shipping or storing POVs.
The Surface Deployment and Distribution Command allows Soldiers to track the movement of their vehicles at www.whereismypov.com.

Pets

Soldiers are authorized to take their pets with them when moving, but pets travel at their owners’ expense. The cost is tax-deductible and depends on the animal’s size.
Consult with airlines and animal-welfare organizations to determine the best type of carrier. Also check with airlines and a veterinarian about vaccination and quarantine rules, which differ from country to country.

Insurance

To protect against the possibility of loss or damage, Soldiers must decide whether to purchase additional protection from the government or through a private insurance carrier.

If your property is lost or damaged during a move,you may file a claim against the government. However, the maximum statutory amount the government can pay on a single claim is $40,000. Despite this amount, there are maximum amounts allowable for specific types and categories of property.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 28, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Military moving allowances Betty Donley Relocation Readiness Program Mgr. The Army pays Soldiers certain allowances to help offset the cost of moving. Learn which allowances you are eligible for, then create a relocation budget that accounts for utility deposits, home-closing costs, travel expenditures and vehicle servicing. Also start an expense log that documents the amount you spend. This can be a reference when planning future moves. Advance Pay – Soldiers may draw up to three months’ advance pay, which is usually repaid in equal installments over 12 months. An advance housing allowance may also be paid if money for rental housing is needed and the unit commander approves it. Thi allowance is in addition to advance pay and the dislocation allowance. Military finance officials advise Soldiers to keep pay advances to a minimum, since paying them back can cause financial hardships. Dislocation Allowance – Soldiers and families are entitled to a dislocation allowance to offset hidden costs such as rent deposits and utility hookups. Single Soldiers are eligible for the dislocation allowance when they cannot check into government quarters at their new base or when authorized by their unit commanders to occupy nonmilitary housing at their permanent duty stations. Current rates are available at www.dtic.mil/perdiem/dla.html. Mileage Allowance – The Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation covers the cost of driving to a new duty station. It is computed using tables of mileage between the old and new duty stations. MALT is als paid to those going overseas if they drive from their stateside permanent-duty stations to the port of embarkation for a transcontinental plane or ship, and from the port of debarkation to the new duty station. Family members driving second cars to their new duty stations are also authorized MALT. Prior authorization is required for third cars. Money for Travel and Lodging – Soldiers may ask the government to provide tickets, vouchers or reimbursement for air, train and bus travel. The reimbursable amount cannot exceed what the government would have paid, and original receipts must be kept. Check with the transportation or travel offices to be sure the government will pick up the tab. Move-in Housing Allowance – Soldiers assigned to many overseas locations can receive the MIHA to help meet expenses for major appliances or other improvements, or to pay nonrefundable, rent-related taxes and fees. Overseas apartments often come without such basic furnishings as kitchen cabinets and light fixtures. To be eligible for MIHA, Soldiers must also be eligible for the overseas housing allowance. Rates are set by location. To apply for MIHA, complete DD Forms 2556 and 2367, which are available at overseas personnel-support offices. You will need receipts. Per Diem Allowance – Along with dislocation and mileage allowances, food and lodging costs are provided for while on the move, both stateside and overseas. This allowance is paid at a flat daily rate that depends on the means of travel. The rate ranges from $25 to $50 per person. Temporary Lodging Allowance – New arrivals at overseas bases are eligible for TLA to partly offset the costs of temporary housing and meals, even if they move into temporary government quarters. The amount depends on family size, local per diem rate, actual cost of quarters, whether the quarters have cooking facilities and other allowances the Soldier is receiving. TLA is paid in 10- or 15-day increments, and usually has a 60-day limit for those arriving and a 10-day limit for those departing. Temporary Lodging Expense – TLE is provided to offset the costs of temporary lodging and meals incurred at Stateside locations. TLE amounts can be as much as $110 per day. This is the second in a series of articles on relocation made easy. It is reprinted from the U.S. Army magaine ‘Hot Topics,’ Current Issues for Army leaders. Shipping Autos Soldiers may ship one privately owned vehicle at government expense to and from overseas duty stations. Not all cars can be taken overseas, however, as host nations have their own requirements for the condition of arriving cars. Also, upkeep and parts for American-made autos may be difficult to find in some overseas locations. Boats, boat trailers and mobile homes are sometimes authorized for movement, but the weight often exceeds the Soldier’s allowance. PPSO counselors can advise Soldiers on entitlements, responsibilities and documents needed for shipping or storing POVs. The Surface Deployment and Distribution Command allows Soldiers to track the movement of their vehicles at www.whereismypov.com. Pets Soldiers are authorized to take their pets with them when moving, but pets travel at their owners’ expense. The cost is tax-deductible and depends on the animal’s size. Consult with airlines and animal-welfare organizations to determine the best type of carrier. Also check with airlines and a veterinarian about vaccination and quarantine rules, which differ from country to country. Insurance To protect against the possibility of loss or damage, Soldiers must decide whether to purchase additional protection from the government or through a private insurance carrier. If your property is lost or damaged during a move,you may file a claim against the government. However, the maximum statutory amount the government can pay on a single claim is $40,000. Despite this amount, there are maximum amounts allowable for specific types and categories of property.