A PCS move comes with a lot of moving parts, and not all of them are covered by the government. Even with entitlements like DLA, TLE, and a weight allowance working in your favor, there is almost always a difference between what gets reimbursed and what actually leaves your bank account.
Military families report over $1,900 in unreimbursed, out-of-pocket costs per PCS move on average.
A personal loan can make the difference between a stressful move and a manageable one. Here is what is typically covered, what tends to fall through the cracks, and how a loan can help pick up the rest.
What the Military Covers vs. What Falls on You
Generally covered:
- Shipping household goods within weight limits
- Travel days and mileage between duty stations
- A flat dislocation payment (DLA)
- A set number of days of temporary lodging
Often left to you:
- Security deposits and utility hookups
- Lodging beyond the covered window
- Replacing items lost or damaged in transit
- Costs that exceed your weight allowance
Where a Personal Loan Can Step In
Covering deposits before reimbursement arrives
Security deposits, pet deposits, and utility hookups are usually due upfront, often before DLA or other reimbursements land.
Extending temporary lodging
House hunting taking longer than expected? Extra nights add up fast once your TLE days run out.
Bridging a PPM move
With a Personally Procured Move, you front the truck, supplies, and labor, then wait weeks or months for reimbursement.
Replacing what didn’t make the trip
Damaged or missing items happen, and claims take time. A loan can cover essentials while you wait on a settlement.
Getting a second vehicle road-ready
New duty station, new commute, sometimes a new car. Maintenance, registration, or insurance can all hit at once.
It is worth getting familiar with these hidden costs ahead of your move, so you know roughly what to expect and how much of a gap you might need to plan for.
PCS moves do not run on a single, predictable timeline, and neither do the costs that come with them. An Omni personal loan steps in right where the paperwork leaves off, so a deposit due today does not have to wait on a reimbursement that is still weeks away.
