Short, plain-English guides to the parts of military pay that trip people up. General information only; your finance office and installation financial counselor have the final word.
PCS
Money on a PCS move
A permanent change of station comes with several payments. Knowing them before you move keeps the move from landing on a credit card.
What you can be paid
Dislocation Allowance (DLA): a one-time payment to help with the costs of setting up a new home.
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE): helps with hotel and meal costs while you look for housing at a stateside duty station, for a limited number of days.
Travel pay: per diem for travel days and mileage (MALT) when you drive.
Personally procured move (PPM): move yourself and the government pays you an incentive based on what it would have cost them. Keep weight tickets and receipts.
Advance pay: you can ask for an advance of basic pay. It's a loan you pay back from future checks, so plan for the smaller paychecks.
Do this
Give the move its own budget so it doesn't wreck your monthly one. Ruckwise does this with PCS plans.
Keep every receipt and file your travel voucher soon after you arrive.
Your BAH changes to the new duty station's rate. Check it before you sign a lease.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act caps interest at 6% a year on debt you took on before active duty, like credit cards, car loans and mortgages, for the time you serve.
Interest above 6% is forgiven, not just postponed.
You have to ask: send the lender a written request with a copy of your orders. You can ask up to 180 days after you leave active duty.
Leases: the SCRA can also let you end a home or car lease early for qualifying orders, like a PCS or deployment.
Ruckwise flags debt that may qualify and writes the request letter for you (SCRA Check).
