AFH 1 · Chapter 12 · Section 12.16

Permanent Change of Station Allowances and Expenses

Part of Developing Self · 4 sections · ~1300 words · WAPS PFE study material

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PCS Advance Payments

PCS Travel Allowances Overview

When military members are ordered to perform a PCS, there are travel allowances for expenses incurred related to:

Transportation
Lodging
Household goods
Etc.

IBA Card Required

IBA Authorized for PCS

Individually billed account (IBA) Government Travel Charge Card usage is authorized and highly encouraged for all PCS-related expenses.

PCS Advance Payments

PCS Advance Purpose

Advance payments of pay and allowances provide members with funds to meet extraordinary expenses directly related to a government-ordered relocation and NOT covered by other entitlements.

Advance Payment Cap

PCS Advance = 3 Months Max

A PCS advance payment is an advance of up to three months of basic pay, less mandatory deductions and debts currently being deducted.

Approval Requirements

E-3 and Below

E-3 and Below Approval

All Airmen who are E-3 and below must have approval of their immediate commander to receive advance pay.

Repayment Period and Amount Approval

Repayment Approval Triggers

All Airmen who request:

A repayment period greater than 12 months, OR
An amount greater than one month's basic pay

…must have approval of their immediate commander.

Repayment Beyond 12 Months

12-Month Repayment Standard

Repayment periods greater than 12 months are only approved in cases of financial hardship.

PCS — Household Goods, Dislocation, Unaccompanied Baggage, Mobile Home, POV

Shipment of Household Goods

Household Goods Shipment

A member ordered on a PCS move may ship household goods within certain weight limitations at government expense.

Weight Allowance Determinants

Weight Allowance Factors

Authorized weight allowances normally depend on:

Grade of the member
Number of dependents

Personal Arrangement Reimbursement

Personal Arrangement OK

A member may be reimbursed for personally arranging for the shipment of household goods. Claims should be prepared and submitted according to service instructions.

Government Cost Limit

The government cost limit is based on the member's maximum household goods weight allowance.

Excess Weight Penalty

Excess Weight = Reduced Payment

If the member transports household goods in excess of the authorized weight allowance, all payments are based on the authorized weight allowance.

Dislocation Allowance (DLA)

DLA Definition

Dislocation allowance is paid at a rate determined by the Secretary of Defense and payable to all members with dependents when dependents relocate their household goods in conjunction with a PCS.

Without Dependents

DLA Without Dependents

It is also payable to members without dependents if they are NOT assigned permanent government quarters upon arrival at the new permanent duty station.

Shipment of Unaccompanied Baggage

Unaccompanied Baggage Definition

The shipment of unaccompanied baggage refers to the portion of the PCS weight allowance ordinarily transported separately from the major or bulk of household goods, and usually transported by an expedited mode.

Commercial Air Limit

1,000 lbs Commercial Air Limit

When the expedited transportation mode is commercial air, a maximum of 1,000 pounds (net) may be transported.

Mobile Home Shipment

Mobile Home Process

Members who own a mobile home should contact the traffic management office to arrange transportation in lieu of household goods transportation.

Personal Arrangement Allowed

Personal Mobile Home Arrangement

In certain circumstances, members may arrange or contract personally for the movement of the mobile home.

Shipment of Privately Owned Vehicle (POV)

One POV Shipment

When authorized, members may ship one privately owned vehicle at government expense when ordered to go on a PCS to, from, or between locations overseas.

POV Storage

POV Storage Alternative

POV storage may be provided or authorized when shipment is prohibited or restricted.

PCS — Government-Procured, POV, Personally Procured, Mixed Modes

Government-Procured Transportation

U.S

Carrier Default. Unless an authorizing/order-issuing official determines U.S.-certificated air carriers are unavailable, U.S.-certificated air carriers MUST be used for all commercial air transportation of persons or property when the government funds the air travel.

Documentation Requirement

Carrier Unavailability Doc

Documentation explaining why U.S.-certificated air carrier service is not available must be provided to the traveler.

Acceptable Endorsements

Endorsements on the travel orders or government travel procurement document made in accordance with service guidance are acceptable.

Travel Time Allowance

Travel Time = Direct Route

Travel time for travel by:

Government conveyance (except government automobile)
Common carriers obtained by government-procured transportation

…is allowed for the actual time needed to travel over the direct route, including necessary delays for the transportation mode used.

Use of Privately Owned Conveyance (POV)

Uniformed Service POV Policy

Uniformed service policy is to authorize/approve privately owned conveyance travel if:

Acceptable to the member
Advantageous to the government based on the facts in each case

Other Allowable Options

Other Travel Options

Other allowable travel and transportation options include:

Government conveyance
Commercial carrier

Reimbursable POV Costs

POV Reimbursable Items

Reimbursement is authorized for:

Parking fees
Ferry fares
Road, bridge, and tunnel tolls

…for privately owned conveyance over the most direct route between the stations involved.

Per Diem Rate

Flat Per Diem PCS Travel

The member is also authorized a flat per diem rate for each PCS travel day between authorized points, up to the allowable travel time.

Personally Procured Transportation

CTO Mandatory Default

Department of Defense policy mandates the use of the commercial travel office for all official transportation requirements.

When Member Procures Personally

Personal Procurement

A member who, despite the policy, procures common carrier transportation at personal expense for official travel, is authorized reimbursement (except transoceanic travel in which no reimbursement is authorized) up to the amount authorized.

Reimbursement Cap

However, reimbursement must NOT exceed the cost for the authorized transportation and accommodations over a usually traveled direct route according to a schedule necessary to meet the requirements of the order.

JTR Reference

Consult the Joint Travel Regulation for additional information.

Mixed Modes

Mixed Modes Rules

When both government-procured and personally procured modes of transportation are used, the USAF uses a combination of rules governed by the Joint Travel Regulation.

Local Finance for Specifics

The local financial service office can provide specific guidance.

PCS — Dependent Travel, TLE, and TLA

Dependent Travel

MALT and Per Diem

MALT and Flat Rate Per Diem

A military member receives:

Monetary allowance in lieu of transportation (MALT)
Flat rate per diem

…for the official distance dependents travel with him or her by privately owned vehicle.

Commercial Carrier for Dependents

Dependent Carrier Reimbursement

If dependents purchase commercial common carrier transportation, the member may be reimbursed for the actual cost of the transportation, NOT to exceed the cost the government would have incurred for ordered travel.

Dependent Per Diem

The member receives a per diem allowance for dependents.

Restricted Overseas Travel

Restricted Travel Options

When the USAF restricts travel of dependents to a location overseas, dependents may move at government expense to:

Any approved/authorized change of station designated location within the CONUS, OR
Designated overseas location with special approval

Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)

TLE Definition

A member arriving or departing PCS at a location within the CONUS may receive temporary lodging expense to help defray the added living expenses incurred while occupying temporary lodging.

TLE Payment Method

TLE Voucher Method

Temporary lodging expense is paid on a travel voucher.

Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)

TLA Definition

A member arriving or departing PCS at a location outside the CONUS may receive temporary lodging allowance to help defray the added living expenses incurred while occupying temporary lodging.

TLA Payment Method

TLA Pay Method

Temporary lodging allowance is paid in military pay and is reflected on the leave and earnings statement.

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