What Is a Dislocation Allowance? Your Guide to Military DLA

A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) can come with plenty of expenses, from setting up a new home to covering costs along the way. Military Dislocation Allowance (DLA) can help offset some of those costs by providing eligible servicemembers with a flat-rate payment when they relocate their household.

Here’s what you need to know about DLA, including who qualifies, current rates, and how to apply.

What Is a Dislocation Allowance?

Military Dislocation Allowance (DLA) partially reimburses you for some of the expenses associated with relocating your household. If you receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, DLA is separate from other PCS-related allowances, such as per diem and mileage.

DLA is a flat-rate allowance based on your pay grade and dependency status. Understanding how it works and whether you may qualify for this benefit can help when planning your next move.

How Can You Use a Military Dislocation Allowance?

A Military Dislocation Allowance is a partial reimbursement for expenses you incur when relocating your household. DLA generally applies to costs associated with a move required by PCS orders, an evacuation, or certain other government-ordered housing moves. The amount you receive depends on your pay grade and whether you qualify for the with-dependent or without-dependent rate.

DLA is separate from reimbursements and allowances for specific PCS expenses, and it doesn't cover every cost associated with relocating. It’s generally limited to one payment per fiscal year, although exceptions in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) allow additional payments in certain circumstances.

Types of Dislocation Allowance

There are three types of DLA. The type you receive depends on the circumstances surrounding your move:

Primary DLA: The standard DLA payment for an eligible PCS move. Your pay grade and dependency status determine the applicable rate. Primary DLA also applies in certain situations involving a required move from government family-type housing, such as a base realignment and closure.
Secondary DLA: A second DLA payment that applies in certain situations when PCS orders are amended, modified, canceled, or revoked after you have completed the original move. Secondary DLA follows different rate rules from primary DLA.
Partial DLA: A one-time, flat-rate payment for certain qualifying moves involving government family-type housing without a standard PCS move, such as when you're required to occupy or vacate government housing for the government's convenience.

Current Dislocation Allowance Rates

The amount of DLA you can receive depends on your pay grade and whether you qualify for the with-dependent or without-dependent rate.

DLA rates are adjusted annually, so it's important to check the latest amounts when planning your PCS move. You can find current rates for enlisted servicemembers, warrant officers, and commissioned officers on the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

Partial DLA is a fixed amount that does not vary by pay grade or dependency status, the rate for which you can also find on the DTMO website.

Military Dislocation Allowance Eligibility

Your eligibility depends on the type of move, your dependency status, your pay grade, and your housing situation. DLA generally applies when you're relocating a household under qualifying PCS orders, and you're not assigned to single-type government housing.

Who Is Eligible for DLA?

You generally qualify for DLA when:

You're completing an authorized PCS move that requires you to relocate your household
You're moving with authorized dependents or you're moving without dependents and otherwise meet the DLA requirements
You're not assigned to single-type government quarters that make you ineligible for DLA
You're required to move from government family-type housing for a qualifying government-directed reason
Your move qualifies for another DLA category under the JTR, such as a qualifying secondary or partial DLA

For servicemembers without dependents, housing status is particularly important. As a general rule, servicemembers in grades E-5 and below who are assigned to single-type government quarters, such as barracks, aren't eligible for DLA. Servicemembers above E-5 who choose not to occupy assigned single-type government quarters follow different rules and should confirm their eligibility with their finance office.

Who Is Not Eligible for DLA?

DLA generally isn't authorized when:

This is your first PCS move and you don't have dependents moving with you
You're entering Active Duty without dependents under circumstances covered by the DLA restrictions
You're performing separation or retirement travel
You're assigned to qualifying single-type government quarters and don't have dependents
You've already received DLA during the same fiscal year and your situation doesn't qualify for an exception

The first-PCS rule is especially important for young servicemembers. Moving from the home where you lived when you entered Active Duty to your first permanent duty station generally doesn't qualify for DLA when you have no dependents. If an authorized dependent moves in connection with that PCS, different rules apply.

Because exceptions exist, don't assume you're ineligible based only on your rank or housing situation. Your orders and circumstances will determine the entitlement.

How to Apply for Military Dislocation Allowance

DLA isn't a reimbursement based on receipts for individual household expenses. Instead, it's a flat allowance tied to your qualifying move, pay grade, and dependency status. You still need to complete the required travel paperwork and claim the entitlement through your Service's process.

To apply:

Review your PCS orders: Check that your orders accurately reflect your new permanent duty station and any authorized dependents
Contact your installation finance office: Submit the required DLA and PCS paperwork according to your branch's procedures
Complete your travel claim: Your service determines the specific forms and submission process. For example, Army servicemembers use SmartVoucher for eligible travel claims or submit a DD Form 1351-2 when SmartVoucher isn't available
Provide information about previous advances: If you received a travel advance, include it on your travel voucher so the payment is properly reconciled
Check your payment: Processing times vary by service and finance office, so follow up if your DLA doesn't arrive within the expected timeframe

Branch-specific procedures differ, so your installation finance office is the right place to confirm exactly what you need to submit. Military OneSource also recommends filing reimbursement forms with your installation's finance office and requesting an advance through the appropriate finance office if you need DLA before your move.

How to Receive DLA Before Your Move

In certain situations, you may have the option to request an advance DLA payment. Military OneSource's current guidance states that you should visit your installation finance office 10 to 15 days before your move and request commander approval. If approved, you receive 80% of your estimated payment in advance, with the remainder handled after the move through your travel claim.

Advance procedures differ by service and circumstance. For example, current DFAS guidance for Army servicemembers includes separate advance rules based on Government Travel Charge Card status and the type of PCS travel involved. Confirm the current requirements with your finance office before relying on an advance to cover moving expenses.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs: Dislocation Allowance

A PCS move comes with plenty of questions, especially when you're planning your budget. Below, you'll find answers to common questions about Dislocation Allowance (DLA), including taxes, repeat payments, changes to your orders, and how DLA differs from other moving benefits.

Is Dislocation Allowance taxable?

No. DLA is generally excluded from federal gross income. The IRS specifically identifies dislocation allowances as nontaxable military moving allowances.

Can I get DLA more than once a year?

Generally, you receive only one DLA payment per fiscal year. However, the JTR includes exceptions that allow additional DLA payments in certain circumstances. For example, a qualifying secondary DLA may apply when PCS orders are amended, modified, canceled, or revoked after you've completed the original move.

Does DLA cover pet relocation or vehicle shipping costs?

DLA itself isn't a reimbursement for specific pet or vehicle shipping expenses. However, separate PCS rules provide reimbursement for certain pet transportation costs. As of 2026, eligible servicemembers may receive reimbursement for the transportation of one household pet, subject to applicable rules and limits. For qualifying PCS moves within the continental US, the reimbursement limit is generally $550; for moves to or from locations outside the continental US, the standard limit is $2,000, with additional authorization available in certain OCONUS circumstances.

Vehicle transportation also follows separate PCS transportation rules rather than coming out of your DLA. For example, certain OCONUS moves authorize the shipment of one personal vehicle at government expense.

What happens if my PCS orders are canceled after I receive DLA?

If your PCS orders are canceled, modified, or revoked, your DLA entitlement depends on when the change occurs and whether you've completed the required move. A qualifying secondary DLA may apply if you completed the original move before the orders were changed or revoked.

If you received a DLA advance and your final entitlement doesn't support the amount you received, you need to report the advance on your travel claim so it can be reconciled. An overpayment can create a debt that you must repay.

Is DLA the same as a moving allowance or PCS reimbursement?

No. DLA is one specific PCS-related allowance. It provides a flat amount to partially reimburse you for miscellaneous expenses associated with relocating your household. Other PCS benefits address specific expenses or parts of your move, including mileage, per diem, Temporary Lodging Allowance, household goods transportation, and certain pet transportation costs.

DLA isn't based on the exact amount you spend on your move. Instead, the applicable rate is determined by your pay grade, dependency status, and the circumstances of your move.