Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)

Families arriving at or leaving an overseas (OCONUS) duty station

TLA is the overseas counterpart to TLE. It helps cover hotel and meal costs while you wait for permanent housing after arriving overseas, or after you move out of your overseas home before departing. It is paid in increments that must be approved and is based on the local per diem rate and family size. Unlike TLE, the number of days is not fixed and depends on how long housing takes to secure, subject to command approval.

How to use it

Check in with the gaining installation housing office right away; they authorize TLA periods and expect you to be actively searching for housing.

Go to the official source

Last checked 2026-10. Rules and amounts change; your installation's finance, transportation or family center office has the final word.

Related in Money & Entitlements

• Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
  Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
• Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
  Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
• MALT and PCS Per Diem
  Anyone driving to a new duty station on PCS orders
• PCS Advance Pay and Advance Allowances
  Service members who need cash up front to pay for a move