Dislocation allowance, or DLA, is a payment in reimbursement to military members for their relocation in conjunction with Permanent Change of Station or government-directed housing changes. DLA rates are higher for 2024, mirroring raises and adjustments for the economy in general.
Dislocation Allowance 2024
DLA is one of the major building blocks in the entitlement structure developed to help reimburse a portion of the costs military personnel incur when moving their household as a result of a PCS, evacuation, or other type of housing move.
As of January 1st, 2024, the DLA rates have been revised in line with the basic pay increase and other economic conditions. DLA is basically intended to reimburse partially and defray the expenses of service members when relocated.
Eligibility criteria for the Dislocation Allowance 2024
DLA is a monetary allowance that may be available to United States service members who are required to relocate due to their official duty. For a service member to obtain DLA, he must meet the following criteria for eligibility;
- In order for DLA to be awarded, the move needs to be permanent in nature-meaning a change of station with regard to a temporary assignment or deployment.
- The service member must be given official orders from the commanding officer for relocation.
- There should be a distance, considered minimum by the Department of Defense (DoD), between the locations of old and new places of duty.
- The member should either be forced to vacate government quarters at the old duty station or may not be able to occupy government quarters at the new duty station.
- Definition of Dependent: Dependents are usually a spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 years.
- The member shall be accompanied on the move by dependants or have an acceptable reason for not accompanying dependants.
DLA Allowance Rates 2024
Dislocation allowance is the financial assistance granted to a member of the U.S. service because his or her official duty requires a change of residence. The amount a member receives depends on his or her rank and dependency status.
Major Factors Influencing DLA Rates:
- Demonstrate: Higher-ranking officers are likely to have higher DLA rates.
- Rank Dependency Status: If you have dependents, your rate is likely to be higher than if you do not have dependents.
- Location: In some cases, your rental rates may affect your service members’ relative DLA rates.
Primary DLA Rates (Effective January 1, 2024):
| Pay Grade | Without Dependents Rate | With Dependents Rate |
| O-10 | $4,782.23 | $5,886.90 |
| O-9 | $4,782.23 | $5,886.90 |
| O-8 | $4,782.23 | $5,886.90 |
| O-7 | $4,782.23 | $5,886.90 |
| O-6 | $4,387.31 | $5,300.61 |
| O-5 | $4,225.56 | $5,109.25 |
| O-4 | $3,915.89 | $4,503.90 |
| O-3 | $3,138.27 | $3,726.23 |
| O-2 | $2,489.43 | $3,181.75 |
| O-1 | $2,096.25 | $2,844.29 |
| E-1 | $1,724.50 | $3,270.94 |
| E-2 | $1,867.10 | $3,270.94 |
| E-3 | $2,171.53 | $3,270.94 |
| E-4 | $2,202.82 | $3,270.94 |
| E-5 | $2,202.82 | $3,270.94 |
| E-6 | $2,202.82 | $3,270.94 |
| E-7 | $2,275.44 | $3,273.97 |
| E-8 | $2,663.36 | $3,526.23 |
| E-9 | $2,901.73 | $3,825.45 |
| W-1 | $2,207.55 | $2,905.21 |
| W-2 | $2,637.29 | $3,359.20 |
| W-3 | $2,969.53 | $3,651.46 |
| W-4 | $3,533.16 | $3,985.50 |
| W-5 | $3,978.49 | $4,347.32 |
A Partial DLA is also entitled to all service members who are forced to vacate government quarters for any number of reasons at the flat rate of $924.40.
Types of the Dislocation Allowance 2024
There are, broadly speaking, two types of DLA given to members serving under the U.S. services:
Initial DLA:
- Once in a lifetime: It is a single payment, usually granted to the member to bear the onsets of all initial expenses during the relocation process.
- Purpose: Reimburses such expenses as moving expenses, temporary housing, and other relocation expenses.
- Computation: The first month’s DLA usually equates to the service member’s rank, dependency status, and the distance between old and new duty stations.
Reimbursable DLA:
- Monthly entitlement: A monthly entitlement to defray continued expenses at the new duty station.
- Purpose: This is summed up to include rent, utilities, and other continuing expenses incident to living in a new location to which the service member is reassigned.
- Calculation: Allowance quantity is generally based on the grade of rank of the service member, his or her dependency status, and the cost of living at the old and new duty stations.
How to apply for Dislocation Allowance 2024?
The process of applying for DLA online in 2024 is slightly unique for each branch of service and specific military related websites. Usually, this is done in the following way:
- This can be done through the MyNavy Portal, My Army Portal, or the Air Force Virtual Personnel Center.
- Search the portal’s search engine for “Dislocation Allowance” or “DLA.” It can also be found under “Benefits” or “Finance.”
- Follow the link to apply for DLA.
- Fill out the application form in its entirety, making sure to include all of the following information:
- Personal information
- New duty station information
- Old duty station information
- Your dependency status
- Supporting documentation including copies of orders, travel vouchers, proof of occupancy
- Scan and upload any documents necessary because the specifics of your application may require it.
- Verify all information on your application to make sure it is correct.
- Submit the application online. Perhaps You May be Able to Access the Status of Your DLA Application.