Financial Assistance

Making a permanent change of station move can be expensive. There are many hidden costs involved in moving, and you need to plan for as many as you can. As soon as you receive an assignment, a spending plan should be developed to save extra money early in the process to assist with moving expenses. If you are married, your spouse should be involved in the development of the spending plan.

You may contact the Military and Family Readiness Center for information on Personal Financial Management and other financial matters that may be affected by your move. Everyone would do well to formulate a personal financial plan. Our quality of life depends on how well we manage our resources. Personal Financial Management offers financial guidance to those who wish to be in control of their finances, those who are interested in investing and those who may be experiencing money management difficulties. This program can be of tremendous value to assist you in making sound decisions affecting your personal financial administration. Remember, it is not your level of income but how you manage the income that matters over the long term.

Emergency Assistance

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) promotes the Air Force mission by helping to relieve the short-term financial distress of Air Force members and their families. Financial assistance is given when a qualifying individual cannot otherwise pay for specific basic needs and/or for emergency assistance including emergencies that arise during transit, such as a car breaking down en route to a new Air Force Base. Other agencies that may offer assistance in emergency situations include TRICARE, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, local hospitals, local police and fire departments and the American Automobile Association- AAA (for automobile breakdowns and towing, for example).

Advance Pay

Members in receipt of PCS orders may apply for Advance Pay not earlier than 30 days before their estimated departure date and not later than 60 days after arrival at the new permanent duty station. No more than three months’ Advance Pay may be drawn. The advance is normally repaid in equal installments over 12 months; however, those members who can show hardship can extend the repayment period up to a maximum of 24 months with the approval of the service member’s commander. Service members in grades E3 and below require the approval of their commander to receive Advance Pay. Advance Pay is calculated on base pay, not pay with allowances. Think twice before obtaining Advance Pay. Advance Pay repayments can become a financial hardship as the repayments will be automatically withdrawn from the service member's monthly pay, reducing monthly income, in some cases, drastically. Advance Pay reduces a service member’s take-home pay that would otherwise be used to pay bills and unforeseen expenses. Consider talking with the Personal Financial Management Program manager at your A&FRC prior to drawing Advance Pay. Remember, all Advance Pay must be repaid. It is a debt you owe to the government.

If approved by your commander, an Advance Basic Allowance for Housing can be drawn. You must prove that this money will be used for housing costs. Advance BAH is up to three months’ BAH for a stateside move. The allowance cannot exceed the anticipated housing cost. Advance BAH may be repaid over a 12-month period. Remember all Advance Pay (including Advance BAH) must be repaid.

Government Charge Card

Beware of misuse or overuse of your Government Travel Card (GTC). This is not a personal credit card! The government charge card is to be used for official travel-related expenses only. Personal use outside of this boundary is considered fraud. Since this is a charge card arrangement, balances are to be paid in full upon receipt of the statement.

Dislocation Allowance

Dislocation Allowance is generally payable whenever you are required to relocate your household in conjunction with a PCS move. If you have dependents, their travel must be authorized in your PCS orders. DLA will be payable upon completion of their travel or may be authorized in advance 20 days prior to departure. If you have no dependents, you may be authorized DLA at the without-dependent rate if you are not assigned to permanent government quarters (dormitory) within 60 days after arrival at your new duty station (with approval from gaining commander).

Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation

Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (mileage reimbursement) is payable for military members performing a PCS who are traveling by privately owned vehicle. Service members receive a MALT when they drive to a new assignment. The allowance is computed on federal tables of the mileage between the old and new duty stations. In the event the official distance is longer or shorter than the service member drives, the official distance determines the allowance payable. These rates apply to spouses authorized to travel alone or with family members and to sponsors traveling with family members. These rates also apply to travel in a second car when its use is authorized. MALT is paid at the time of travel. MALT is also paid to those going overseas if they drive from the stateside location to the port of embarkation for transcontinental plane or if they drive from the port of debarkation to the new duty station.

Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)

TLE is an allowance intended to partially pay members for lodging/meal expenses incurred by a member/dependent(s) while occupying temporary lodging in the Continental United States (CONUS) in association with a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. TLE is only authorized in the vicinity of the old/new Permanent Duty Station (PDS); it is not authorized for house hunting. TLE Reimbursement is limited to 14 days for a CONUS to CONUS PCS or 7 days to an Out of the Continental United States (OCONUS) PD. 

Per Diem Allowance

Along with DLA and MALT, food and lodging are allotted when making a PCS move. The allowance is paid at a per diem rate for you and your family members. POV travel at the rate of 350 miles per day is a per diem amount. Per Diem (for food and lodging) is paid for members and their dependents for each authorized travel day when travel is performed by Privately Owned Vehicle (POV). For non-concurrent travel, the spouse and dependents are authorized per diem IAW Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR).  Contact Finance for information or visit their website.  If other than POV travel, check with Finance for applicable per diem rates.

Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)

Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) is intended to partially pay a Service member for higher-than-normal expenses incurred by a member or dependent while occupying temporary lodging OCONUS. TLA is available when it is necessary for a Service member or dependent to occupy temporary lodging upon arrival at or immediately before leaving a permanent duty station (PDS) OCONUS, or during other periods as specified in the DoD FMR, Volume 7A, Chapter 68, para. 6804.

Information and assistance are available in areas such as military pay and allowances, fraud, savings, investments, insurance, car buying, home buying, credit card management and a great deal more. Financial guidance is offered to those experiencing money management difficulties or for those who wish to be proactive and establish their own personal budget. The Personal Financial Readiness program manager can work with you to prepare a personalized budget and spending plan. The PFR team is also available to assist personnel with budgeting their moving costs and establishing a residence in the local community. The PFR manager will also review the cost of living in the area and help personnel attack the best and most cost effective way to establish residence in the state.