DITY / PPM Calculator
Move yourself and keep the difference. Estimate what the government will pay you for a personally procured move.
Your weight allowance
E-5: 8,500 lbs
Officers get +500 lbs pro-gear allowance.
Rates are approximate. Contact your TMO for official entitlements, PPM incentive is taxable income.
$5,776
8,000 lbs × $0.76/lb × 95%
Rate tier
$0.76/lb
Allowance
8,500 lbs
Federal tax (~22%) is withheld from the incentive. You may owe more or get a refund at tax time.
Distance sets your rate per pound
The government's cost, and your 95% cut of it. Steps up with mileage. A move of 1,500+ miles pays roughly 40% more per pound than one under 600. Weight is the other lever: every pound you actually haul, up to your allowance, adds to the payment.
$0.76/lb
Under 600 miles
$0.85/lb
600 to 999 miles
$0.97/lb
1,000 to 1,499 miles
$1.07/lb
1,500+ miles
How a PPM payout works
- 1
Select your pay grade
Rank sets your authorized weight allowance, from 5,000 lbs for E-1 through E-3 up to 14,500 lbs at O-6 and above. Officers get an extra 500 lbs of pro-gear on top.
- 2
Enter your dependents
Authorized weight rises with dependents. This estimator uses the base allowance table, so treat the number shown as a floor if you are moving a family, your TMO has your exact figure.
- 3
Estimate your shipment weight
Weigh your loaded truck at a certified scale, then weigh it empty, the difference is your net cargo weight. Stay at or below your authorized weight to maximize reimbursement.
- 4
Enter your move distance
Distance sets the government rate per pound, from $0.76/lb under 600 miles up to $1.07/lb at 1,500 miles and beyond. Your PPM payment is 95% of that government cost.
- 5
Track every expense
Truck rental, fuel, packing supplies, tolls, motel stays in transit, keep every receipt. Documented expenses reduce the taxable portion of your PPM income at tax time.
- 6
File your claim
Within 45 days of completing the move, file your PPM claim through the DPS portal with weight tickets, receipts, and orders. Most claims are paid in 30 to 60 days.
Questions people actually ask
What is a DITY or PPM move?
A Personally Procured Move (PPM, formerly called DITY) means you move your own household goods instead of using a government-contracted mover. The government pays you 95% of what the same shipment would have cost them. If you move it for less, you keep the difference.
How much weight am I authorized to move?
Weight allowance is set by pay grade: 5,000 lbs for E-1 through E-3, scaling up to 14,500 lbs for O-6 and above, with an extra 500 lbs of pro-gear for officers. Weight over your allowance is not reimbursed, so weigh the truck before you commit.
Is the PPM incentive taxable?
Yes. The incentive is taxable income, and roughly 22% federal tax is withheld from your payment. Documented moving expenses. Truck rental, fuel, supplies, tolls, transit lodging. Reduce the taxable portion, which is why receipts matter.
When do I actually get paid?
You file your claim through the DPS portal within 45 days of completing the move, with weight tickets, receipts, and a copy of your orders. Most claims are paid within 30 to 60 days of approval.
Pocket the PPM money. Spend it on the right house.
Chris works PCS timelines all year, he'll line up showings around your report date and tell you which Dayton neighborhoods actually work on your BAH.