The Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move allows you to be reimbursed by the government for moving your belongings yourself. You’re eligible if you make a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Temporary Duty (TDY), or Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) move, or separate, retire and move to or from government quarters under orders. Please note: The program is voluntary and you can use the entire DITY Program of just part of it. For example, you can ship some household goods on a Government Bill of Lading (GBL) and the balance, up to the allowed weight allowance, under the DITY program.

Under the DITY program, you may use your own vehicle, a rental, or a borrowed vehicle. You’re entitled to travel allowances, per diem and mileage through the government. You also receive $25,000 of insurance coverage. An advance monetary allowance for your move can be paid under certain circumstances. Ask your transportation office representative for more details on these benefits.

There are four types of DITY moves:

1. Rental Equipment. You rent a truck or trailer, and receive an advance operating allowance based on mileage authorized and estimated weight of shipment. There is no advance on separation orders. You’re responsible for packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking the shipment. Storage at destination is at your expense, with reimbursement.
2. You Load/They Drive. You pack and load a commercial moving van/truck, the commercial moving company drives to the destination, and you unload and unpack the van or truck. The commercial firm must provide you with an ICC number, and State or Federal Regulation numbers. You must request the company to provide weight tickets.
3.  Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) DITY. No advance operating allowance on a POV DITY is authorized. You may use your own or a borrowed vehicle. If you borrow the vehicle, you must have written permission from the vehicle owner for all POV DITY moves. Current vehicle registration is also required. The POV must be a "cargo" type vehicle, not a vehicle that is designed for passenger transport.
4.  Move in Connection with Government Arranged Mobile Home Shipment. Household goods can be authorized for shipment at government expense, but must be removed from a mobile home to satisfy safety requirement under the DITY program. Such items can include heavy appliances and furniture, air conditioners, awnings, etc.

 

Advantages of the DITY Move
At first glance, the DITY Program may seem to be more trouble than it's worth -- after all, you have to take care of your own moving arrangements and expenses, rather than have the government do it for you. But if you do a little planning and put forth a bit of effort, doing a DITY move offers significant advantages over a normal military move. For example, you can get the following from a DITY move:

• Money, Money, Money. In the DITY Program, you receive a government payment of 95 percent of what it would cost the government to move you. In addition, you receive the standard travel allowances for you and your family. If you end up spending less than the 95 percent payment the government provides, you get to keep the rest. This may sound difficult, but if you take advantage of moving company discounts and other special offers, you'll find that you can make money for yourself. You should especially consider a DITY move if you have a limited amount of items that need shipping or moving -- you may be able to take care of all the packing and transport yourself.
• Time, Time, Time. When you receive orders to move to another area, you’re authorized permissive TDY or travel time in order to take care of all your moving arrangements. If you make a DITY move, you’ll receive additional time to handle your move -- time that you can use to relax if you’re efficient about planning your move.
• Total Control. While it's nice to do without the headaches of planning a move, many military personnel had less-than-ideal experiences when the government took care of their moves. With the DITY program, you're in control every step of the way, from deciding which moving services you want to how much of the actual move you want to handle yourself.

 

If you’re ready to take advantage of the DITY program make sure you follow each of the steps outlined below:

Step 1. Apply for the DITY move by scheduling an appointment with your base Personal Property Transportation Office (PTO). A PTO representative will cover all factors of the program in detail, and provide you with all forms and instructions you need. Foremost among these is the DD Form 2278 (Application for DITY Move and Counseling Checklist). Other forms you may need to fill out or provide include:

• Standard Form 1038 — Advance of Funds Application and Account (for advanced operating allowance).
• Certified empty weight ticket for each shipment with name, your Social Security number and signature of weight master.
• Certified loaded weight ticket for each shipment with name, your Social Security number and signature of weight master.
• Original DD Form 1351-2 — Travel Voucher or Subvoucher (ask your PTO representative if you have specific questions about this form)
• Copy of registration for your boat(s) and/or trailer(s) if applicable.

Only after applying for and being authorized for a DITY move can you proceed with the move. If you make a partial DITY move (i.e., only shipping a certain amount of household goods), make sure you work out all the details with your PTO representative. Note that you will not receive full government payment for your DITY move until after your move.

Step 2. Decide on your type of move. Will you be doing this all yourself? Will you have packers help? Will you have a moving company take care of the actual transport? Nail down these arrangements as soon as possible.

Step 3. Arrange for any rental equipment or moving services you need. You can either do it all yourself, have a professional handle tasks, or some of both. Packing materials can be purchased from commercial suppliers.

Step 4. Confirm your insurance coverage. Make sure you are up to date on your car and accident insurance. If you use a trailer, check your auto insurance policy to make sure you’re covered. State laws regarding liability for accidents during a DITY move vary, so if you’re involved in an accident while performing a DITY move, you should contact the legal office at the military installation nearest the accident site as soon as possible.

Step 5. Pick up your operating allowance from your local dispersing office.

Step 6. When your vehicle (whether you own it or are renting) is ready, calculate the total weight of what you are moving. You should weigh your vehicle both fully loaded and unloaded. This is extremely important, as your DITY payment will be based on this weight ticket. To calculate the weight of your shipment, follow this formula:

• Loaded Weight = Your vehicle with a full tank of gas + all of your property loaded + no drivers or passengers inside
• Empty Weight = Your vehicle with a full tank of gas + no drivers or passengers inside
• Loaded Weight - Empty Weight = Net Weight of Property

 

Each weight ticket should have the following information:

• Name, grade, Social Security number
• Name/location of scales
• Vehicle/trailer identification
• Date of weighing
• Weigh Master's signature
• Legible of weights

 

Step 7. Get receipts for all moving expenses. All costs associated with the move are not taxable, and will be deducted from the allowance you receive from the move to determine your actual financial profit. Only your profit will be taxed, so be sure to keep track of everything to maximize your profit. Authorized expenses include:

• Payment for rental vehicles/trailers
• Packing materials
• Moving equipment (including hand trucks and dollies)
• Gas and oil expenses
• Highway tolls, weight tickets and any other transportation expense directly related to the DITY move

 

Step 8. Make your move, and submit your settlement. Once you complete your actual move, you have 45 days to submit a claim for full payment of your DITY allowance. This should include the following:

• Empty and loaded weight tickets (two copies of each)
• DD Form 2278
• DITY Move certification (attach all receipts for moving expenses)
• DITY Move expense sheet
• Change of Station Orders
• Advance operating allowance paperwork (if you are renting a truck or trailer)
• Vehicle/trailer rental contract (if you are renting a truck or trailer)

More specific details can be obtained from the Personal Property Transportation office at your installation.

To get more PCS tips or information, visit Military.com’s PCS/Home Buying Guide.

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