PCS Entitlements: What to Know About Military Moving Expenses

Regularly moving to a different duty station due to Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders is just part of the military lifestyle. You need to ship your stuff, arrange for housing, travel to your new location and much more. That all takes time—and money.

PCS entitlements are offered by the military to help cover the cost of your PCS move. Whether you’re planning for your first move or your fifth, knowing what’s covered upfront, what you’ll pay and what you’ll get reimbursed for can make your next PCS a lot easier, especially on your wallet.

What are Permanent Change of Station (PCS) entitlements?

PCS entitlements are financial benefits provided by the military to help cover the cost of moving you—and your family, if they’re coming with you—when you’re ordered to relocate to a new duty station. Active Duty Servicemembers with PCS orders automatically qualify for these entitlements. Your dependents also qualify when they move with you. In some cases, family members may qualify for separate travel coverage if they can’t relocate with you right away.

The type of PCS move you’re making will affect which entitlements you’re eligible to receive:

• CONUS moves happen within the continental United States. These are typically the most straightforward when it comes to entitlements and reimbursements.
• OCONUS moves involve relocating outside the continental US—think Hawaii, Alaska or overseas assignments. These moves often come with additional allowances due to the extra complexity and costs.
• Personally Procured Moves (PPM), also called “do-it-yourself” moves, let you handle your own relocation. You’ll get fewer entitlements, but you’ll have more control over the move than you would in a government-arranged move. You can keep what’s left of your entitlement funds if your moving expenses are less than the government’s estimated cost.

PCS entitlements fall into 2 main categories: 

• Expenses the military pays directly
• Costs you pay upfront and get reimbursed for

Often there are additional moving costs that won’t be covered at all. Understanding which category each expense falls into helps you estimate your moving costs and create a relocation budget. 

What PCS moving expenses are covered?

The PCS moving benefits you’re entitled to depend on several factors: 

• The type of move you’re making
• Where you’re going
• Your rank 
• Whether you have dependents

Coverage amounts and eligibility requirements can change, so confirm the most current information before you move. 

Covered upfront by the military

The military handles some expenses directly, so you won’t need to pay out of pocket or submit receipts later. This includes movement and storage of your Household Goods (HHG) and your Dislocation Allowance (DLA). Stay within your authorized weight limits to avoid extra charges that could come back to you. 

If you need money before your move, you might be able to get advance pay or use your Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) for certain expenses. 

Reimbursable expenses with receipts

The military will fully or partially reimburse some of your moving costs. You’ll pay upfront and then submit receipts to get your money back. You can pay for these expenses however works best for you—checking account, savings account, credit card or cash. Just be sure to keep all your receipts.

Common reimbursable expenses include:

• Travel allowances like mileage reimbursement and per diem for meals and lodging
• Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) when you can’t move directly into permanent housing
• Fuel and tolls during your move
• Eligible pet transportation costs

Common PCS moving expenses not covered

Depending on the scope of your move, there are some excess costs you’ll likely have to cover yourself. The military doesn’t typically consider these costs to be essential to a relocation, so there aren’t any PCS entitlements associated with unauthorized expenses:

• Home cleaning services (there may be exceptions in certain circumstances)
• Meals beyond your authorized per diem allowance
• Storage costs beyond the authorized time period
• Moving additional vehicles beyond what’s covered
• Luxury items or oversized belongings that exceed weight limits

Special situations to consider

Every PCS move is different, and some common situations come with extra costs. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• OCONUS moves tend to come with additional allowances compared with CONUS moves.
• Moving with dependents affects your weight allowances and per diem rates.
• You may be eligible to ship 1 privately owned vehicle (POV) if you’re moving overseas. For CONUS moves, you’ll likely need to drive it yourself.
• You might need to stay in a hotel or temporary lodging if you can’t move into your new home right away. Some of these costs may be covered, but not all.
• If you’re PCSing during a deployment or on an unaccompanied tour, special rules may apply.
• If both you and your spouse are Servicemembers, you may each receive separate entitlements. Talk to your TO to coordinate benefits.
• Retiring or separating Servicemembers also have different coverage options to consider.

Planning for these special cases ahead of time can help you avoid unexpected expenses and make your move go more smoothly.

Tips to get reimbursed for covered PCS expenses

Getting your money back can be a smooth process if you stay organized and know what to expect. Here’s how to make the reimbursement process as seamless as possible.

Before your move

A little planning upfront can save you time and money down the road. Take these steps to set yourself up for success.

• Research which expenses are covered by the military and which ones you’ll need to handle.
• Make a move plan with your TO to help avoid costly surprises.
• Set up your Defense Personal Property System (DPS) account, if you haven’t already.
• Document the condition of your belongings in case anything gets damaged or lost.

During your move

Stay organized while everything is in motion. These simple habits will make reimbursement much easier later.

• Keep every receipt—gas, tolls, meals, lodging, packing supplies, everything!
• Organize receipts as you go instead of dealing with a shoebox full of receipts later.
• Track your mileage and daily expenses using a simple notebook or phone app.
• Stay within authorized weight limits and other restrictions to avoid unexpected charges.

After your move

Once you’re settled, it’s time to get your money back and re-establish your finances. Most reimbursements take 2-4 weeks to process. These 4 steps can help speed things up.

• Submit your travel voucher as soon as possible to start the reimbursement process.
• Upload all receipts and documents through DPS (or the system your branch uses).
• Make sure all documents are clear, readable and error-free.
• File claims promptly for any damaged or lost items (there are deadlines for reporting problems).

Navy Federal can help you take control of your PCS finances

Moving due to military orders doesn’t give you much choice about when or where you go, but you can take control of the financial side. Understanding your PCS entitlements, staying organized with receipts and knowing the reimbursement process put money back in your pocket—and help you feel confident and prepared.

No matter where you’re headed, Navy Federal is here to support military members through every step of your PCS move. Be sure to check out our PCS Hub for moving resources, including our comprehensive PCS checklist to help you stay organized and our DLA guide to find out more about this useful relocation benefit. 

We also offer checking and savings accounts to help you budget for moving expenses, credit cards to help cover moving costs and mortgage loans when you’re ready to buy a home at your new duty station.

With the right financial tools and knowledge, your next PCS can be your smoothest one yet.