What is DLA??
In this usually crazy and sometimes confusing ARMY life, communicating almost always in acronyms only adds to the confusion!
However, this is one acronym that is sure to bring a smile to your face, not to mention some extra money in your pocket!!
DLA~DisLocation Allowance
Huh???
Well, the Department of Defense puts it this way...
The purpose of DLA is to partially reimburse a member, with or without dependents, for the expenses incurred in relocating the member's household on a PCS, housing moves ordered for the Government's convenience, or incident to an evacuation. This allowance is in addition to all other allowances authorized in this Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) and may be paid in advance.
The current rate for E-5 and below is $1952.08 (with dependents). Just to clarify...this is FREE money! It does not have to be repaid!! This is additional money, above and beyond money that is allotted for household moving and per diem transportation. And the only thing you have to do to get it is ask!!!
The last part is probably the most obvious, yet maybe not! We are getting ready to PCS for the first time and we were all over this opportunity as soon as we found out about it. However, we know someone who almost missed their chance simply because they didn't know about it (or weren't paying attention when the Sergeant gave a financial briefing).
Don't let this fantastic benefit pass you by! When your PCS time approaches, make sure your soldier asks the right questions and gets a meeting with Finance before you leave your current duty station (or training station). Once the paperwork is filled out it takes a few days before the money is deposited, and their is a time restraint on when the paperwork can be filled out. My hubby had to wait until he was 10 days from graduating.
*DLA is only available to Active Duty Soldiers, with or without dependents, and only available for Reservists or Guards under special circumstances.
Doesn't it rock?! We always take 80% in advance, so we also get a little bonus when we get that remaining 20% at our new duty station!
ReplyDeleteWow. This is awesome! Never heard of it until now and we've PCS'd 3 times. Booo. Can you still qualify if you're E-6 and above? Or do they just figure you're rich by that time? ha! (I wish!)
ReplyDeletewhoo-hoo! I had heard about this before, but I didn't know it was additional money on top of the amount for moving the household. Thanks so much for posting this!
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