Table of Contents
Kate Horrell is a finance columnist for Armed forces.com.
The Navy will before long need sailors to use a Authorities Journey Cost Card (GTCC) for all military services Lasting Adjust of Station (PCS) moves, the support introduced late final year, when also employing the MyPCS Journey Voucher program for claims and eradicating innovative travel shell out in most circumstances.
The improve places the Navy in line with the other military products and services. Necessary use of the card commences July 1, 2022. Sailors should really operate with their chain of command to use for a card.
Making use of the GTCC for PCS moves can make it easier for services customers to tackle fees incurred throughout moves devoid of needing to take developments or pay out-of-pocket.
Although that sounds fantastic, the GTCC system and the PCS mandate do cause issue for a lot of, many thanks to probably slow reimbursement and the affect on individual credit score scores from not paying the card on time.
That’s a fear officials acknowledged in their December announcement, saying that pairing the GTCC with the new vacation voucher method will give more rapidly reimbursements.
“Obligatory use of the GTCC for PCS journey expenditures and digital submission of journey promises through MyPCS Travel Voucher will assist the Navy boost accountability and auditability of cash and reallocate resources for more timely travel declare processing,” the release states.
Sailors can nonetheless request state-of-the-art Dislocation Allowance (DLA), but the steering says exceptions will be created only for dependents who are traveling on independent orders or for sailors who really don’t qualify for the card.
Sailors and other armed forces associates typically have inquiries about how they are meant to use the GTCC during their PCS transfer, how the invoice will be compensated, what products can be charged to the card and what transpires when there are paperwork issues — all fantastic inquiries.
But initial, a disclaimer: Normally abide by the regulations that are specified by your department, your chain of command, or your support business office. This information can and does fluctuate by department, and can modify at any time.
What Can I Cost to My GTCC?
- Lodging en route among your outdated obligation station and your new responsibility station
- Foods en route amongst your outdated obligation station and your new responsibility station
- Short-term lodging at your previous or new duty station (as lined below the Temporary Lodging Expenditure/Non permanent Lodging Allowance)
- Gasoline for your individually owned motor vehicle made use of as transportation for the move, or becoming moved
- Tolls or ferry service fees
- Rental car, if approved in your PCS orders
- Personally procured move costs (relying on your department)
- Dislocation allowance (DLA)-form expenses
That past a person is definitely tricky. Dislocation allowance is a flat fee, based on rank and dependency status and payable to everyone who moves. Even though its function as said by the Pentagon is to defray the expenses of leaving an old house and location up a new dwelling, there are no specific guidelines about what it can and can’t be made use of for. You do not have to reveal it to any individual. You could virtually get your dislocation allowance to a casino and play blackjack with it. (Remember to really don’t.)
But when you use your GTCC for DLA-sort fees, there is accountability. So what must it be used for? I am not a law firm but, centered on my personalized working experience with nine military services moves, listed here are some ideas of matters that are almost certainly sensible expenses in this classification:
- Owning the carpets cleaned when you go out of your outdated home
- The basic principles of that Goal run when you get to your new house: bathroom brushes, shelf liner, shower curtains, curtain rods, cleansing supplies, and so forth.
- Utility deposits
What Products Can not Be Billed to My GTCC?
- Private costs that are not component of the PCS move
- Airfare, which need to be booked by way of the correct office for your branch of service
- Enjoyment of any sort
- Medical fees, even if they happen throughout the PCS
- Any personal travel days for the duration of the shift/depart en route
- Individually procured transfer expenditures (depending on your department)
How Does the Bill Get Paid out?
You have to post a journey claim when you arrive at your new obligation station, and the method you use for performing so is dependent on your department. When your card ought to be set to mission significant status for a move and not involve quick payment, it is really nevertheless not a very good concept to delay your assert.
You will be reimbursed up to the limit of your allowances, including non permanent lodging price/non permanent lodging entitlement, dislocation allowance, monetary allowance in lieu of transportation (mileage), and for each diem for vacation times. Any volume that exceeds people allowances is your accountability. If you have a dislocation allowance remaining just after the reimbursement, that need to be paid out to you.
The Federal government Vacation Cost Card does remedy some PCS complications, but it is essential to use it correctly and file your claim in a well timed manner immediately after arriving at your new obligation station. Assume of it as yet another instrument in your military services lifestyle toolbox.
Keep Up-to-Day for Your Next PCS
Get the within info from individuals who know. Get PCS assist and all the news and added benefits info you will need shipped straight to your inbox. Subscribe to Armed service.com now.
Demonstrate Whole Write-up
© Copyright 2022 Armed forces.com. All legal rights reserved. This material might not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
