The current economic conditions forced many military families to tighten the purse strings this year. But when Uncle Sam tells you to relocate and you start the process of PCS-ing, moving costs will start to add up quickly. However, there are helpful benefits military families can use to save money on their move.

There are certain moving expenses that the government will subsidize so you don’t have to absorb the cost of a PCS yourself. One of these subsidies comes in the form of a reimbursement, which the military pays through a per diem rate meant to partially pay for lodging and meal expenses when traveling from one duty station to another.

The following represents your per diem rate:

• Servicemember — 100 percent of rate
• Spouse — 75 percent of rate
• Children older than 12 — 75 percent of rate
• Children younger than 12 — 50 percent of rate

The per diem rate is just one of the ways you can save money on your move. Here’s a list of moving expenses within the continental Unites States (CONUS) that you can be reimbursed for:

Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE):  
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) is intended to partially reimburse you for lodging and meal expenses when a member or his dependents occupy temporary quarters in CONUS in conjunction with a PCS.

You may be paid or reimbursed up to $290 a day. This maximum applies if you and your dependents occupy temporary lodging on the same or different days. When you and your dependents occupy temporary lodging on different days, you may elect the days when TLE is claimed. For example, you occupy temporary lodging for 12 days during the period April 1 – 12 at the new PDS. Your dependents also occupy temporary lodgings at the old location for 12 days but for the period April 18 – 29. The period April 1-10 (member) and April 18 – 27 (dependents) could be selected for TLE purposes.

Reimbursement for the combined total expenses incurred for the first days you claim TLE (April 1 for you, and April 18 for your dependents) may not exceed $290 per day. The same limitation applies for the remaining days.
     
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA):
TLA is used to partially reimburse you for the more than normal expense incurred during occupancy of temporary lodging and expense of meals obtained as a direct result of use of temporary lodging Outside Continental United States (OCONUS), which do not have facilities for preparing and consuming meals.
 
Do-It-Yourself Moves (DITY):  
The Do-It-Yourself (DITY) program is a voluntary program that allows you to move Household Goods (HHG) personally and be paid an amount equal to 95 percent of what it would cost the government. The transportation office must authorize or approve a DITY move. In addition, you must have orders authorizing PCS, Temporary Duty (TDY) (with HHG entitlement) or assignment to or from government quarters. The transportation office furnishes the member a DD Form 2278 (application for do-it-yourself move and counseling checklist). This form shows the constructive Government Bill of Lading (GBL) or contract cost for moving the HHG. Please contact your servicing finance office for further assistance.
 
Advance Travel Pay:   
An advance of travel allowance is authorized upon a PCS. The purpose of the advance of travel allowance is to provide you and your family, with funds for expenses such as transportation, meals and lodging during the actual permanent change. The advance of travel allowances will be deducted from your travel settlement (DD Form 1351-2) upon arrival at the next duty station. To avoid possible overpayments, the advance of travel allowance is limited to 80 percent of the estimated entitlement.

Travel by Privately Owned Vehicles (POV)
You’re entitled to ship your POV if you’re on PCS orders to, from, or between places overseas or upon official change of home port of the vessel to which you’re assigned. If you wish to ship your POV overseas it must be authorized on your orders. Alternate ports may be used if approved. Request to use an alternate port should be address to the Personal Property Shipping Office.

Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation
(MALT) mileage is the amount paid when a member or the member's family drive to their new duty station, based on the Official Military Table of Distances. MALT is available CONUS and OCONUS. It’s figured on a table of miles times the number of authorized travelers (AT) and approval is needed before MALT can be paid for more than two vehicles. MALT may be advanced at 80 percent before the move, and is paid by travel voucher.

Here’s how MALT is figured for CONUS and OCONUS:

If first vehicle contains:	$ Per Mile*
1 Authorized Traveler (AT)	$.15
2 ATs	$.17
3 ATs	$.19
4 or more ATs	$.20
If second vehicle contains:	$ Per Mile*
1 AT	$.15
2 ATs	$.17
3 ATs	$.19
4 or more ATs	$.20

Move-in Housing Allowance
(MIHA) is designed to reimburse you for overseas costs associated with living in privately owned or privately leased quarters. It addresses three specific needs: one-time rent-related expenses, modification of homes for security protection, and the initial cost of making a home habitable. The State Department determines whether a location is "high threat."  This is available to OCONUS only. MIHA rates change with currency rates and location so see your base relocation manager.

These services are meant to help ease the financial stress of moving across the country. If you’re not sure how to calculate these rates, contact your on-base financial counselor or your local transportation office to find other moving expenses that Uncle Sam pays for.     

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

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