Military Members (Active/Reserve) 

 

Basic Needs Allowance

Eligible active duty members may now apply for Basic Needs Allowance supplementary payments to aid in affording basic needs for their families. Read more, including contacts for your specific military service here. 
 

 Air Force, Space Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Members
 

All Department of the Air Force service members who have military pay related questions may call the Total Force Service Center (1 800 525-0102 or DSN 312 665-0102) for assistance or submit a myFSS ticket.

We know how important your pay is to you. We are committed to ensuring scheduled payments are made timely. We encourage you to use our online tools such as myPay and AskDFAS and our phone self-service tools. Our Customer Care Center representatives remain available to assist you with any additional questions you might have.
 

Military Separation and Retiree

Reimbursement for your Final Move

Members separating or retiring from active duty are entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses from the final duty station to the home of record (HOR), place entered active duty (PLEAD), or the home of selection (HOS).

Travel Types

Travel to the Home of Selection
Soldiers who are retiring, placed on the TDRL, discharged with severance pay, or involuntarily released with separation pay may claim one-way travel to the HOS, defined as:
Any place in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii; a place outside the U.S., if that place was the HOR or PLEAD; or any other place, including OCONUS locations.*

Travel to the Home of Record / PLEAD
Soldiers who are separating or released from active duty are authorized travel to the HOR or PLEAD. Alternate destinations are authorized, but reimbursement will be cost-constructed.

Transition Point and Out-Processing
Some members may also claim travel to a transition point or out-processing location. This travel may be en route or round trip.

Personally Procured Moves (PPM)
PPMs are authorized; claims should be submitted through your transportation office.

Advance Payments
Advances should be followed with a final settlement voucher to avoid carrying a debt.

How to Submit a Claim

SmartVoucher makes it easy to complete travel vouchers by guiding you step-by-step through a series of questions then it creates a completed DD Form 1351-2. SmartVoucher makes sure all the required fields are filled in to create a complete and accurate voucher.
You'll get a list of supporting documents based on the answers you provided. Be sure to attach those to your submission. You can also sign forms electronically. 
 
*Be sure that your myPay Login ID and password are active to access SmartVoucher.
 
How to use SmartVoucher
  • Log into SmartVoucher with CAC or myPay ID and password.
  •  Answer a series of easy questions similar to tax software.
  •  Attach required forms and submit the completed voucher.
  •  Monitor your email for status updates or corrections needed.
After you’ve sent your voucher, check the status online. 

How Long Do I Have to Complete My Travel?

Separating / Released from Active Duty
Travel must be complete before the 181st day (6 months) after the separation date on the orders. This applies to members and dependents alike.
 
Retiring / Discharged with Severance / Involuntary Release
Home of selection (HOS) travel must be complete within 3 years from the retirement date on your orders.
 
Extensions
Extensions will need to be command-approved and may be issued for up to 6 years past the original separation date.
 
Eligible Entitlements:
  • Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT)
  • Plus (Per Diem)
  • Dependent Travel
  • Personally Procured Moves (PPM)
  • Advance Payments
(ETS and Retirement PCS claims are not entitled to DLA or TLE )
 

Tips: Preparing for Retirement

  •  One year prior to your retirement date, you will receive a pre-retirement package from your Branch of Service to help you prepare for retirement.
  •  Assemble your documents no later than six months in advance of your target separation date. Your Branch of Service will provide all these documents to DFAS.
  •  Prior to separating from the military, add a personal email address to your myPay account to receive email notifications from DFAS Retired and Annuitant Pay.
Keep up with the latest news and announcements about retired pay reading our quarterly newsletter at www.dfas.mil/retireenews 
More information about military retired pay is available on the DFAS website at www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary
 
Need a copy of your leave and earning statements (LES)?
Submit a LES request at www.dfas.mil/customerservice/lesrequest/ 

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:

  • Leave and Earning Statements: For LES’s no longer in myPay, visit our askDFAS page.  Select Military Service Members and then the appropriate link for your branch of service.
  • Reserve & Guard Members: Are you drilling for points in a no-pay status? You're still responsible for your SGLI premiums. Find out how to keep your coverage up to date.
  • Does DFAS process your TDY or PCS travel? If you can't use Travel Voucher Direct to submit your claim, we have new email addresses you can use!
  • Did you have U.S. Savings Bonds in safekeeping with us? If so (and they weren't mailed to you in 2014), you can retrieve them by following steps from TreasuryDirect.
  • Do you access myPay from home? If you are using an older version of the Internet Explorer web browser, you will need to upgrade to a newer version of your browser in order to continue accessing myPay. Read more for more information on browser security.
  • TSP for active duty Army/Navy/Air Force/Space Force
  • TSP for reserve/Guard Army/Navy/Air Force
 

Power of Attorney

There are times when spouses, parents and even tax preparers need to talk with us regarding pay issues for our military customers. By law, we must respect the privacy of all our military members and cannot discuss any aspect of their pay unless you have a valid special power of attorney. Powers of attorney give someone the ability to act on a military member's behalf. Discuss this with your chosen representative and a member of your legal assistance team.

Page Updated July 15, 2025