Updated Feb. 15, 2024

Service members and DoD civilian employees who make a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move are entitled

to receive PCS allowances to help offset their moving expenses. These entitlements are often individualized

based on rank, number of dependents, whether or not your tour is accompanied or unaccompanied, etc. For this

reason, service members are encouraged to talk to their Admin or Finance Office about their allowances, and

DoD civilian employees should talk to their Human Resources Office.

Service Members

is designed to offset housing costs. It includes three separate components: rent, utilities/recurring maintenance,

and a move-in housing allowance (MIHA).

The rent portion of OHA is computed on your actual rent, but there is a maximum allowance based on

your rank and whether you are accompanied or unaccompanied. You can choose a house above the

maximum allowed. However, if your rent is above the ceiling, you pay the difference out of your base

pay. All members are reimbursed for rent up to the amount of the lease or their allowance, whichever is

less.

The Utility/Recurring Maintenance Allowance is paid monthly to offset expenses paid directly to utility

The Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA) partially offsets move-in costs associated with occupying

privately leased quarters. This allowance is composed of five components: MIHA/Miscellaneous,

to make dwellings habitable (e.g. transformers, supplemental heating equipment, wardrobes, electricity

Updated Feb. 15, 2024

connection). Members with and without dependents receive the full allowance with their first OHA

rental payment.

OHA documentation to start your OHA allowance - DD Form 2367 - is completed at the Housing Office once a

lease has been signed. The service member turns the paperwork into their Admin Office for processing.

Service members serving outside of the continental U.S. (OCONUS) where the cost of living is higher than CONUS

receive an Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA). Overseas COLA is a non-taxable allowance designed to

offset higher prices of non-housing goods and services OCONUS and equalize purchasing power with members

stationed in CONUS. OCONUS COLA is not a fixed amount and should not be considered in household budgeting.

Overseas COLA can fluctuate based on the exchange rate.

Typical allowances are listed below. Chapter 5, Part F of the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) discusses DoD Civilian

Employees’ PCS allowances. A copy of the JTR and more information on allowances is available on the Defense

Travel Management Office website. The Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) also governs

some allowances and benefits available to government civilians assigned to foreign areas. You can view the DSSR

here.

Living Quarters Allowance

LQA is granted to DoD Civilian employees to help defray the annual cost of suitable, adequate living quarters for

the employee and his/her family at a foreign post where government-leased or governmnet-owned housing is

not provided. The LQA rates are designed to substantially cover the average employee’s costs for rent, utilities,

required taxes levied by the local government, and other allowable expenses. LQA rates are categorized by

You can look up your LQA Rate here.

You’ll provide a copy of your lease to the HR Office to begin the process of activing your LQA allowance.

Reconciliation is required for LQA recipients 12 months after move-in-date, or earlier if there is a change of

Miscellaneous Expense Allowance (MEA)

Miscellaneous expenses are the various costs associated with PCS that are not covered by other PCS

Updated Feb. 15, 2024

allowances in the JTR. To receive MEA reimbursement, a civilian employee must submit a travel claim, certify

that the old PDS residence has been discontinued, and certify that a new PDS residence has been established.