Published March 29, 2021
TLE & TLA
Depending on where you PCS to, you may be authorized TLE or TLA. TLE is Temporary Lodging Expense, and TLA is Temporary Lodging Allowance. They sound similar right? So, what's the difference?
The main difference between the two is that TLE is mainly used in CONUS PCS's while TLA is for OCONUS. They are very similar programs designed to partially reimburse a service member for expenses while occupying temporary lodging.
Now, let's break it down into detail.
TLE: an allowance intended to partially pay service members for lodging and meal expenses incurred by a member and dependents while occupying temporary lodging during a PCS move.
TLA: an allowance intended to partially pay service members for lodging and meal expenses incurred by a member and dependents while occupying temporary lodging during a PCS move.
Here's where the two differ.
Typically, you are allowed up to 10 days of TLE during your PCS that can be split (ex. 5 days at old duty station and 5 at new duty station). If PCSing from CONUS to OCONUS, you can get 5 days TLE at your CONUS duty station, BUT if you use TLE in connection with your CONUS to OCONUS PCS, you will not be authorized any TLA.
To get TLE, you must be in a temporary residence near the old or new PCS location. It may be allowed if you are assigned family type government quarters and your household goods, or HHG, have not arrived yet, have been packed at prior duty station, or you're waiting to move in due to things like renovations. You can't get TLE if you stay with dependents.
TLE payment is based on the per diem at the location of your temporary housing. You will be paid according to the number of dependents occupying the housing.
| Number of Persons Occupying Temporary Quarters | Percentage Applicable |
|---|---|
| Member or 1 dependent: | 65% |
| Member and 1 dependent, or 2 dependents only: | 100% |
| For each additional dependent age 12 and over, add: | 35% |
| For each additional dependent under age 12, add: | 25% |
The max is TLE per day is $290 and lodging receipts are required to receive payment. Lodging portion of your per diem cannot exceed the actual cost.
As for TLA, you are typically authorized a max of 60 days TLA upon your arrival at an OCONUS duty station, and 10 days upon your departure from an OCONUS duty station. For arrival, you must be actively seeking permanent housing and verify it with your command every 15 days in order to continue getting TLA. Payments are made every 15 days. Advanced payment is authorized. It may be allowed if you are seeking permanent housing on base or off, waiting for you HHG shipment, while on a house-hunting trip, etc. You cannot get TLA if you're living with dependents.
TLA payment is based on the per diem of the location of your temporary housing (use table above for percentage calculations). If there are any international currency conversion fees, you can be reimbursed for them. Lodging portion of your per diem cannot exceed the actual cost.
