Military life means moving to a new home every few years, and while each PCS brings new opportunities, it also comes with plenty of stress. Costs of packing, traveling, and setting up a new home all add up quickly. Fortunately, the military provides several entitlements designed to make the process easier. Understanding these PCS benefits in 2025 can help you budget effectively, avoid costly mistakes, and utilize available resources for a smoother move.
From purchasing packing supplies and protecting your personal goods to paying for a moving company and driving across the country, there’s a lot to do and even more to pay for along the way. In addition to the obvious costs, items like coffee, fast food, and gas can quickly add up. That’s why it is so important to stay organized, make a plan, and keep your receipts.
Since the military may require you to PCS every 1-4 years, they offer helpful programs and financial benefits to ease the transition process. To help even more, we’ve compiled information about the latest PCS entitlements you need for your upcoming orders.
Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
One of the most important PCS entitlements is the Dislocation Allowance (DLA). DLA is a flat sum intended to cover the secondary expenses associated with moving on PCS orders, such as security deposits, utility setup, or replacing household goods. Your DLA depends on several factors, including your current rank and whether you have any dependents. In 2025, rates increased again, with families receiving between $700 and $1,000 more than service members without dependents.
This can make a real difference as you settle into your new home. DLA is not automatic; you must submit a claim through your travel office.
You may also want to consider an additional benefit called a Secondary DLA, which is for military members whose PCS orders change after they’ve already relocated.
Temporary Lodging Entitlements (TLE/TLA)
Settling into a new duty station often doesn’t happen overnight. You may arrive before your permanent housing is ready or spend extra time waiting for household goods to be delivered. That’s where Temporary Lodging Entitlements come in.
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) is available for moves within the continental United States and helps offset the cost of hotel stays and meals during the transition between homes. TLE typically covers up to 14 days, although it can be extended in certain circumstances if additional time is required.
For overseas moves, Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) serves a similar purpose. The difference is that TLA is often more flexible, since finding housing abroad can take longer due to market conditions or limited availability. TLA can be authorized for weeks or even months, depending on the situation, with rates adjusted to reflect the cost of living in your host country. Both TLE and TLA ensure your family isn’t left paying out of pocket while you wait for more permanent accommodations.
Mileage Reimbursement
Driving your own car during a PCS? If you drive yourself or your family in your own vehicle during your PCS move, those miles and gas start to add up. Luckily, the Department of Defense will reimburse you for the distance traveled on PCS orders.
For 2025, the rate is set at 22 cents per mile. Over long distances, this can add up to hundreds of dollars. You must report how far you travel, so tracking odometer readings ensures you receive the right amount. The reimbursement applies not only to cars and trucks but also to motorcycles and, in rare cases, private aircraft.
Regardless of your mode of transportation for a PCS, ensure you know your PCS weight allowance, which is the amount of weight military movers will transport for you without additional fees during an HHG move. Additionally, please note the items on the PCS prohibited list that military movers are not permitted to move.
Personally Procured Move (PPM)
For those who prefer more control, a Personally Procured Move (PPM), also referred to as a Do-It-Yourself (DITY) Move, allows you to control every aspect of the moving process.
You’ll be reimbursed up to 100% of what the government would have paid for a household goods move. So if your PPM ends up costing you less, you keep the difference.
A PPM has benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, you don’t have to rely on someone else to safely transport your household goods across the country to your new station. On the other hand, relocating your household by yourself across the country every few years requires significantly more time, effort, and planning.
Another option is a Partial DITY move. The type of move combines a conventional HHG move and a DITY move. The government will move all the items you don’t wish to move on your own (like heavy furniture or appliances), while you take care of everything else. This type of move is often advantageous for those who want to earn a little extra cash by executing the move on their own but don’t have the capabilities or desire to deal with those heavy or awkward items. Sometimes, you can even request an advance to cover upfront costs, such as truck rentals or supplies.
Per Diem
The next set of PCS entitlements is a daily allowance. When traveling to your new duty station, per diem covers meals, lodging, and incidentals. Whether driving cross-country or flying to an outside the continental US (OCONUS) location, this daily allowance ensures you won’t pay out of pocket for basic travel costs.
Whether you move across the state to the nearest base or head off for a few years at an OCONUS station, you’ll receive a daily allowance for each day you’re on the road (or in the air). So your meals, snacks, and other incidental expenses will be covered while you and your family are on the go. The exact rate depends on your travel location, as set by the Defense Travel Management Office. Ensure that you keep accurate records of travel days to ensure proper reimbursement.
Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) and Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)
Moving overseas can be exciting, but it also has higher expenses. Everyday items, such as groceries, clothing, and utilities, can cost more than they do in the United States, and housing markets vary widely from one country to another. To balance these differences in CONUS vs. OCONUS, the military provides additional entitlements.
The Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is designed to cover the higher costs of essentials in specific locations. The amount depends on your duty station and is adjusted regularly based on surveys and price comparisons. COLA ensures that service members and their families don’t see their paychecks stretched thin simply because of where they are assigned.
In addition to COLA, many overseas duty stations also qualify for Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA). This benefit is separate from your basic housing allowance (BAH) and is intended to cover rent, utilities, and other housing-related expenses when living off-base abroad. Together, COLA and OHA help families maintain a consistent quality of life, even in regions with significantly higher costs. Understanding how these benefits work and checking updated rates before you move can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises once you arrive.
Advances and Reimbursement Timing
While many entitlements are reimbursed after your move, some can be advanced to cover immediate costs. Both DLA and PPM reimbursements may qualify for advance disbursement, providing you with funds upfront to cover expenses such as gas, lodging, or truck rentals. Discuss with your travel office the available advances and the required documentation.
Avoiding Extra Costs
Going over your PCS weight allowance can quickly turn into an expensive mistake. Even a small overage can mean hundreds of dollars in charges. Downsizing before your move by selling, donating, or storing items you don’t need is the best way to avoid these costs. Planning ahead also makes unpacking easier upon arrival.
Final Thoughts
By now, you probably know that PCS moves are anything but easy. However, knowing your entitlements can make them far less financially overwhelming. In 2025, updated rates and expanded options, such as TLE, COLA, and OHA, ensure that military families have the necessary support to navigate change. By taking advantage of these benefits, you’ll be better prepared to focus on what matters most, making your new house a home.
For more information, you can check out AHRN’s updated PCS Toolkit or the Department of Defense’s moving website and their entitlements overview.