A Guide to Dislocation Allowance (DLA) for PCS Moves

Moving to a new duty station can be an exciting step in your military career. To help cover the costs of moving, the military provides financial support through a Dislocation Allowance (DLA). 

Knowing how DLA works is an important part of understanding your military pay. This knowledge can help put you in control of your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moving budget.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about DLA. You’ll learn who can get DLA, how to apply, how much you can expect to receive and smart ways to use your allowance.

What is Dislocation Allowance (DLA)?

DLA helps pay for the costs of setting up a new home due to PCS orders. There are 3 types of DLA:

• Primary DLA. This can help cover expenses like deposits for utilities, temporary storage, new household items and small things you need to get settled.
• Secondary DLA. If your PCS orders are changed, canceled or modified after you’ve started to move, you may be eligible for secondary DLA. These funds can help you cover any additional costs that come up because of these last-minute changes.
• Partial DLA. This provides a small, one-time payment in specific situations, such as moving into or out of base housing without a full PCS move. These funds can help cover smaller expenses.

Unlike some other military benefits, DLA isn’t tied to purchase receipts. DLA is a fixed amount based on your rank and your dependents. This can give you some freedom in how you use the funds. 

DLA is one of several financial supports the military offers for PCS moves. The military gives this allowance because moving creates many extra costs beyond what other allowances cover. 

Eligibility requirements for DLA

You may qualify for DLA if you’re an Active Duty Servicemember who:

• relocates your household due to official PCS orders
• moves your dependents to or from your permanent duty station
• is ordered to occupy or vacate government quarters

In addition to these 3 main DLA qualifiers, there are some special cases worth noting:

• If you’re moving to your first duty station and have dependents, you can get DLA. However, if you’re moving to your first duty station without dependents, you typically won’t receive DLA unless you were already getting Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at the "without dependents" rate.
• Servicemembers who are leaving Active Duty status usually can’t get DLA unless they’re moving due to a PCS before their separation date.

If you PCS often, there are no time limits between moves to receive DLA. If you have official orders, you’re eligible no matter how recently you received your last DLA payment. In some cases, a secondary DLA may be granted if a Servicemember’s command changes or cancels their PCS orders.

How do you get DLA?

Getting your DLA isn’t automatic when you PCS. You’ll need to apply for this benefit. Thankfully, the process is pretty straightforward.

Applying for DLA

Here are the steps Servicemembers take when applying for DLA:

1. After you receive your PCS orders, you can request DLA through your local finance office or through the Defense Travel System (DTS).
2. You’ll need to submit the appropriate travel voucher form (DD Form 1351-2) and a copy of your PCS orders.
3. You can request an advance of your DLA before your move—up to 100% of the expected amount. This advance can help cover upfront moving costs like security deposits and connection fees.

How long it takes to get your DLA depends on your branch and how busy your finance office is. Most often, you can expect the funds within 7-10 business days after approval. Advance requests are often processed faster.

If your DLA request is denied and you believe you qualify, you have the right to appeal. Contact your local finance office to learn why your request was denied. Then, work with your chain of command or base legal services to submit an appeal with supporting documents.

How much is DLA?

DLA rates change each year. They vary based on your pay grade and whether you have dependents. Higher-ranking Servicemembers get larger DLA payments. Servicemembers with dependents receive more than those without dependents.

In recent years, rates have ranged from about $1,000 to over $5,000 depending on rank and dependency status. E-1 to E-5 ranks typically get the same rate. The amounts increase for E-6 and above, as well as for officers. 

What relocation expenses does DLA cover?

Unlike some military benefits that pay for specific costs, DLA gives you the freedom to use the funds where you need them most for expenses incurred during relocation. Common expenses within a member’s household may include:

• Security deposits for housing and utilities
• Connection and disconnection fees for services like electricity, water and internet
• Purchasing new household items that aren’t practical to move
• Replacing food items that couldn’t be transported
• Temporary lodging expenses that exceed other allowances
• Childcare during the moving process
• Cleaning supplies for your new home
• Expenses related to vacating family-type government quarters

DLA is intended to partially reimburse relocation expenses. It may not cover all costs associated with your move. 

If your moving expenses are more than your DLA amount, which is common for many families, you may need to cover those extra costs from your own savings. Some Servicemembers use personal savings set aside just for PCS moves, advance pay (which you must repay) or a lower-interest credit card, especially if you can earn rewards on your expenses.

If your moving expenses are less than your DLA amount, you get to keep the extra money. Many seasoned military families become experts at efficient PCSing, allowing them to save some of their DLA for future moves or emergencies.

Make the most of your authorized PCS allowances

At Navy Federal Credit Union, we’re here to support you with resources designed specifically for navigating PCS moves. Check out our comprehensive PCS moving checklist, dedicated savings accounts and mortgage options for your new location. You can also get personal financial counseling to make a plan to manage your DLA effectively. We’re here to help you make the most of your move.