The entitlements that come with military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves are confusing. There are a variety of allowances and reimbursements.The part of those allowances that applies to the days you are actually moving are often called travel allowances.There are two parts to the travel allowance: MALT and Per Diem. Both MALT and Per Diem are authorized for regular PCS moves, retirement moves, and separation moves.
Monetary Allowance In Lieu of Transportation (MALT)
MALT is the allowance that pays for actually driving your cars from your old duty station to your new duty station. The allowance is based on the distance as calculated using the Defense Table of Official Distances. MALT is calculated using the rate of $.16 per official mile (effective 1 January 2021).
If your move includes dependents, you are eligible for MALT for two vehicles, if two vehicles are actually driven. In some cases, MALT may be authorized for additional vehicles. This is not automatic and requires justification for the need.
If you are eligible to drive multiple vehicles, but choose to drive just one, you may be reimbursed the difference to be put toward the cost of shipping your second vehicle privately.
If the direct route between the two duty stations includes parking fees, ferry charges, road, bridge, and/or tunnel tolls, reimbursement for these costs is authorized.
Per Diem
For each authorized travel day, you will receive per diem to offset the cost of meals and lodging. For 2021, the service member receives $151 per authorized travel day. Accompanying dependents over age 12 receive 75% of full per diem, $131.25, per day. Accompanying dependents under age 12 receive 50% of full per diem, $75.50, per day. If you transport two cars on two different trips, the additional driver is reimbursed at the full rate for the trip, but if the two cars travel together, the additional driver is reimbursed at the 75% rate.
The number of authorized travel days is figured by dividing the official distance by 350 (the number of miles you’re expected to travel each day.) If you have any remainder, then you are authorized the extra travel day. For example, if it is 1254 miles between the two duty stations, then you will be authorized four travel days. (If the distance is less than 400 miles, you only get one day.)
The travel allowances for the drive between the old and new duty stations is typically more than enough to cover the actual expenses incurred.
Temporary Lodging Allowances
A PCS move almost always comes with temporary lodging allowances. The allowance when you’re within the Continental United States is Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE). The allowance when you’re outside the Continental United States is Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA). Both allowances cover lodging and meals plus incidentals for a specified period of time.
Dislocation Allowance
Dislocation Allowance is a flat rate based on rank and is intended to help cover the expenses that may not be covered by other allowances, including security deposits, setting up your new household, etc. You MUST apply for DLA – it does not get paid automatically!
Make sure you understand all these reimbursements – we slept on the hard floor for far too many PCS moves before I learned about TLE! And I’ve heard of far too many people who never requested DLA. That’s a ton of money!
Make sure you’re prepared to write off any allowable expenses on your taxes. See What Military Moving Expenses are Tax-Deductible?
Thank you for writing the JTR in layman’s terms. My spouse and I didn’t not claim DLA on our first PCS and we are not about to let that happen again.