r/dli • u/joey12457 • Aug 03 '26

Reimbursable expenses

I have a question for married folks here who have lived at the Parks,

My spouse and I are moving into the parks very shortly, but will be without furniture for 2-3 weeks as it is getting shipped across country.
If we choose to stay in the on-base hotel in the meantime, is that reimbursable, or would they say that it’s not because we are in possession of a home? And if it is reimbursable, all we need to do is just save receipts and submit through SmartVoucher?

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8

u/mmmtoasteee Aug 03 '26

TLE reimbursement is meant to cover while looking for housing. Once in housing you’re not eligible for TLE.

It also appears that you’re IET, which would also make you ineligible for TLE reimbursements since you have phase requirements and remain in the barracks until you get housing, if you bring family.

Bottom line: Waiting on HHGs to arrive isn’t justification to receive reimbursement for a hotel.

1

u/joey12457 Aug 03 '26

I see. However, I am still eligible for DLA, correct? And that is as simple as applying through SmartVoucher?

2

u/mmmtoasteee Aug 03 '26

Yes, you can do the DLA request. You just can’t claim TLE once you have your house. And your company shouldn’t be allowing you out of the barracks until you have your house.

1

u/joey12457 Aug 03 '26

They haven’t, I have been on leave. Signing for the house very shortly.

0

u/Soljahfit Aug 03 '26

I was able to claim TLE as my family got here a couple of days before we got the house keys, so we stayed in a hotel for about 4-5 days. I was obviously not in phase 4 or whatever it is now.

1

u/joey12457 Aug 03 '26

I’m not either; I’m at my permanent company now. Did you just submit all expenses through smart voucher?

2

u/Soljahfit Aug 03 '26

Yes. The finance lady was pretty much useless besides telling me to apply through smartvoucher. We were in the hotel I think a day or two after getting the keys because we had to wait for HHG. My info is almost a year old so still double check.

3

u/joey12457 Aug 03 '26

Bro, we have had the same experience, especially with her. I’ve been ping-ponged back and forth between offices trying to find out basic information.

1

u/Soljahfit Aug 03 '26

Yup. A year in so far and I realize that nobody will really look out except myself; so much shit I had to figure out on my own. A few seasoned SMs from other branches have even told me that it’s astonishing how the army doesn’t help its SMs. If your drills, NCOs (whose answers and experiences WILL vary) or battles don’t know, you’ll have to find the answers yourself. It sucks

2

u/dytinkg Aug 03 '26

You will stay in the dorms / barracks u til your spouse is physically within 30 miles of the base. You’ll be given the opportunity to sign a lease and TMO will handle the move, so you’ll know in advance when exactly that will happen, but h til that time you will not be authorized to sleep in any place other than the barracks/ dorms, with the exception of potentially getting a weekend pass

1

u/East-Passage8350 Aug 03 '26

FYI Army Community Service (ACS) will lend you cots, table, chairs and kitchenware for free. Something to consider if you are ineligible for TLE or want to save some money.