Depending on where you move, you may be authorized Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) or Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA). They are similar programs. The main difference is that TLE is used mainly used in CONUS, while TLA is used OCONUS. Their purpose is to partially reimburse a member for the more than normal expenses incurred while occupying temporary lodgings.
Eligibility, reimbursement limits and timeframes for both are detailed in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), the official source for all U.S. military travel entitlements. In turn, JTR are maintained by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), which outlines the rules, eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits for these entitlements.
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
TLE is an allowance intended to partially pay service members for lodging/meal expenses incurred by a member & dependents while occupying temporary lodging as part of a PCS move.
You are normally allowed up to 14 days of TLE in conjunction with a CONUS PCS move that can be split in any matter, i.e. 10 days at the old station & four at the new station. If you are PCS'ing from CONUS to OCONUS, you only get five days TLE at your CONUS station, but you may be eligible for Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) at your OCONUS station.
Service members transferring to areas with a designated housing shortage may be eligible for up to 60 days of TLE.
To get TLE, you must be living in a temporary residence in the vicinity of the old or new PCS location (or designated place in special circumstances). TLE may be allowed if you are assigned family type government quarters and your HHG have not arrived yet, the HHG have been packed at the old PCS location, or you are awaiting moving in due to reasons such as renovations. You cannot get TLE if you are staying with dependents.
Payment is based on the per diem at the location of the temporary housing, you are paid based on the number of dependents occupying the temporary housing:
| Number of Persons Occupying Temporary Quarters | Percentage Applicable |
|---|---|
| Member or one dependent: | 65% |
| Member and one dependent, or two dependents only: | 100% |
| For each additional dependent age 12 and over, add: | 35% |
| For each additional dependent under age 12, add: | 25% |
The maximum is TLE is $290 a day, lodging receipts are required for payment. The lodging portion of your per diem cannot exceed the actual cost.
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)
Like its CONUS counterpart, TLA is an allowance intended to partially pay members for lodging/meal expenses incurred by a service member & dependents while occupying temporary lodging as part of a PCS move.
You are normally authorized a maximum of 60 days TLA upon arrival at an OCONUS station, and 10 days upon departing an OCONUS station. For arrival TLA, you must actively be seeking permanent housing and must verify that fact with your command every 15 days to continue drawing TLA. Payments are made every 15 days, and advance payment is authorized. TLA may be allowed if you are seeking permanent housing on or off base, awaiting household goods shipment, on a house-hunting trip, or or similar reasons. You cannot get TLA if living with dependents.
Payment is based on the per diem at the location of the temporary housing. See the table above for percentage calculations. If you have international currency conversion fees, you can be reimbursed for them. The lodging portion of your per diem cannot exceed the actual cost.
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