Can anyone provide clarification whether or not I am authorized DLA in my situation?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 02:24:01 -0500

I was PCSd to Abu Dhabi through a TAFT. I do not live in Govt quarters, I live in private sector quarters (a hotel not affiliated with government, but part of my contract states they must pay for me to live there) roughly 40 minutes from my duty location. Roughly the last 20 Soldiers to come to this place in my same circumstances have received DLA and my S1 is saying I do not because I am in Govt quarters because they pay for the hotel. A current member of my team already received his DLA and the others who have been here for a year or two got it also. Is my S1 correct or incorrect in saying I should not receive it and if so why have the other SM over the past 3 years all received it.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jan 19 at 2016 4:50 AM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 04:50:25 -0500

Are they also Army?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 19 at 2016 5:15 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 05:15:10 -0500

SGM Matthew Quick 1SG Steven Stankovich SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" -- do you gents know anything about this?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 19 at 2016 5:20 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 05:20:47 -0500

I did some quick research on this and my first reaction would be that you should be receiving DLA (I am not 100% certain, DLA is confusing). Copied from defensetravel.dod.mil: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqdla.cfm#Q8

8. Is DLA payable if performing an authorized PCS move without relocating dependents?
Yes. As a general rule you receive DLA at the without-dependent rate if you don't occupy Gov't Qtrs at your new permanent duty station. See JTR, Ch 5, Part A10 for more information.

Dislocation Allowance (DLA) - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it true a uniformed member may receive a DLA to help with relocation expenses when moving a household due to official PCS travel authorization?

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jan 19 at 2016 8:54 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 08:54:50 -0500

DLA is paid to Soldiers to relocat their family members...DLA may be paid to single Soldiers that are SSG and above if there are no quarters available to them at their next duty station and they must find a place to live.

Finance will be the experts on DLA; not necessarily the S-1.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 19 at 2016 12:54 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:54:53 -0500

I will also echo SGM Matthew Quick comments. Finance is the SME here, not the S1.

Response by SFC James Rigdon made Jan 20 at 2016 1:37 AM

SFC James Rigdon — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 01:37:14 -0500

I would say that you are entitled to DLA, you can always query ASK DFAS and they can provide you more insight and also read the JTR. but when you PCS to anywhere or a ORDER 90% of the time you are entitled to DLA. so if those other member that received it are they taking it back since it wasn't a correct entitlement. Did you do a travel voucher for settlement for your move if so you can do a supplemental travel voucher to claim DLA (in the right corner) put a copy of your orders and send it to Finance Cleveland and see if it's paid