Moving is just a part of military life, and one of the common questions that arise is whether the military pays for your move. The answer is yes, but the extent of financial support varies depends on the type of move (i.e. PPM, PCS, or Government-Contracted Move). For the next 2 minutes, let’s dive into the details of how the military can assist you and your family with the costs associated with your military move.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
Let’s start with the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) program. BAH is designed to offset housing costs at your new duty station. The amount of the allowance is determined by factors such as your rank, location, and whether you have dependents. While BAH is intended mainly for housing, service members can use it to cover other moving expenses.
Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
The Dislocation Allowance (DLA) program is another type of financial support package provided for military moves. DLA provides assistance to help you offset costs associated with relocating, such as moving household goods and travel expenses. Similar to BAH, the amount of DLA varies based on factors such as your rank and the presence of dependents.
Weight Allowances
Military moves operate on weight allowances, specifying the maximum weight of household goods that can be moved at the government’s expense. The weight allowance is determined by your rank and, as mentioned, whether you have dependents. It’s crucial to stay within the authorized weight limit to avoid additional out-of-pocket expenses.
Personally Procured Move (PPM)
A Personally Procured Move (PPM), also known as a Do-It-Yourself Move (DIY), is an option for service members to handle the logistics of their move and receive reimbursement. In a PPM, service members can opt for a solo move or hire professional moving services. Reimbursement is based on factors such as the distance travelled and the total weight. Most moving companies will assist you with the reimbursement process.
Government-Contracted Move
In a government-contracted move professional movers arranged by the military handle the logistics. In this case, the military covers the cost of hiring the moving company, and you’re not directly responsible for covering the expenses.
Storage Expenses
If you have a temporary duty assignment or cannot move directly to your new duty station, storage expenses may come into play. While the military typically covers a certain period of storage, extended storage may incur additional costs.
Travel Costs
While the military covers transportation costs for service members and dependents, there are additional travel-related expenses to consider. This includes costs for meals, lodging during the journey, and transportation to and from the military transportation terminal.
Insurance Coverage
Military moves usually include some level of insurance coverage. However, understanding the extent of coverage and consider additional insurance for valuable or sentimental items.
Conclusion
While the military does provide financial support for service members and their families during a move. Understanding the extent of this support, from BAH and DLA to weight allowances and transportation options, will guarantee you a stress-free move. Whether it’s a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or another type of move, we can help you. Give us a call at (703) 997-6268 or send us a DM by clicking on the “CHAT WITH US” button located on the bottom right corner of your screen.
