MEMORANDUM FOR MILITARY DEPENDENTS

SUBJECT:  Designated Place -- Allowances for Military Dependents

1.  This memorandum addresses the evacuation allowances authorized to military-command- sponsored dependents who have been directed to move to a designated place.  Civilian dependents are only authorized movements to a temporary safe haven or a permanent change of station move with their sponsor.

2.  If the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) determines that return to the sponsor’s permanent duty station (PDS) will not take place in the near future, the dependents will be directed to move to a designated place to establish a permanent residence (JFTR, par. U6002).  A move to designated place outside CONUS must be authorized in advance of travel by the Service Secretary or designated representative.  Sponsors requesting this waiver must submit their requests in writing through their command channels.  The following allowances are intended to assist dependents in making this transition to the designated place and are described in greater detail in the Joint Federal Travel Regulation, Volume 1 (JFTR), Chapter 6 (online on the Internet at https://secureapp2.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/).

  a.  Transportation expenses and travel per diem begin when the dependents depart the safe haven location and end when they reach the designated place (excluding personal travel time).  Dependents age 12 years or older  each receive up to the full local per diem rate; children under age 12 each receive up to 50% of the local per diem rate.  If the dependents choose to travel from the safe haven location to the designated place via rental vehicle, only the monetary allowance in lieu of transportation (MALT) is reimbursable.  Direct payment for the rental car cannot be made.

  b.  Designated place allowances begin when the dependents  arrive at the designated place or declare the original safe haven as the designated place.  Per diem allowances continue until the sponsor begins travel to a new permanent duty station or the dependents occupy a permanent residence but no longer than 30 days.

(1)  Designated place per diem consists of two separate parts: one for lodging, and one for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE).  The lodging allowance is paid on behalf of those living in commercial quarters and must be documented by a receipt showing the daily cost of lodging.  Consequently, dependents staying with family or friends do not receive lodging reimbursement.  The only exception to this is if there is a legal lease paid to family or friends for a separate residence.

(2)  For families who have moved to a new geographic location as their designated place, each dependent age 12 or older is authorized up to 100% of the local per diem rate and each child under age 12 receives up to 50% of the local per diem rate.  If living with friends or relatives, each dependent age 12 or older receives 100% of the M&IE and children under age 12 receives 50% of the M&IE.  With a bona fide lease, the dependents are reimbursed lodging. 

(3)  For dependents who have declared their safe haven as designated place, and are already at a reduced per diem rate, allowances continue at the reduced rate.

c. Families are also authorized a local travel allowance for in and around the local vicinity.  The rate is $25.00 per day regardless of the number of dependents – if dependents have not taken delivery of a POV transported to the designated place.

d. Family Separation Housing (FSH).  The Service Member is authorized FSH beginning on the day eligibility for OHA/BAH and COLA starts at the designated place. This allowance is paid in the sponsor’s paycheck.

e. Family Separation Allowance II (FSA II).  When the Service Member is separated from his/her family due to the requirements of military duty, they are authorized FSA II at $250 per month  This allowance is paid in the sponsor’s paycheck.

f. Dislocation Allowance (DLA).  This is a one-time payment to partially reimburse a Service member for otherwise un-reimbursed relocation expenses.  Service Members with non-command sponsored dependents are not authorized this allowance.  This allowance is paid in the sponsor’s paycheck.

g. Transportation of Household Goods (HHG)/Privately Owned Vehicles (POV).  Service members are now authorized transportation of their HHG/POVs from their overseas permanent duty locations (PDSs) and/or from non-temporary storage (NTS) to the dependents’ designated place and/or placement in NTS.

h. Basic Allowance for Housing(BAH).  The Service Member is authorized BAH at the "with-dependent rate" beginning on the day after the day on which per diem at the designated place terminates.  The rate is based on the location of the designated place and paid in the sponsor’s paycheck.

3.  Special designated place orders will be issued to authorize the dependent’s movement.  Specific fund cites have been approved by each of the Services for the travel and per diem of their dependents while moving to their designated place.

4.  The allowances outlined in this memorandum are applicable to all military dependents regardless of Service.  Upon reaching their designated location, military dependents must report to the Service specific organizations responsible for their follow-on care.

Raymond C. V. Robinson, Jr.
Chief of Operations