I want to do a PPM. What now??

So you have run the numbers in the calculator, looked into the requirements, and you have decided that you want to do a PPM.  

So what now?  

Here is everything you need to do for a PPM move, in 14 steps.

Step 1. Supplies

As with anything else government related, a PPM requires paperwork, approvals, and keeping good records.  The good news is, the requirements are not very difficult.  The bad news is, if you forget to do some of the steps, you could end up having your reimbursement denied, and have to bear the cost of the move yourself. The best way to prevent this is to always keep everything in one place. You will need:

1. ORDERS!!

   You must have orders in order to do a PPM Move!

2. A clipboard with storage

   You need something that you can keep with you at all times during the move to hold paperwork and receipts. Something like this would be perfect. Every single piece of paper that comes through your hands should be immediately put in the clipboard. Do not let it out of your sight until your move is complete, and you have been completely reimbursed!

3. Paperwork

   Print DD Form 1299 and DD Form 1797 and put them in your clipboard. You will need these later. You can find the most commonly needed forms here.

Step 2. Move.mil

Move.mil is a government resource created specifically help with military moves. Take advantage of it! You can complete required counseling, find important forms, and otherwise manage your move. Create an account here.

Step 3. Counseling

Is this your first rodeo? If not, you might be eligible for self-counseling. This can be done via the DPS portal at move.mil (you created an account for this in Step 2).

If this is your first PCS Move, or your last (separating or retiring), self-counseling is not usually available. In this case, schedule an appointment with your local TO to go through counseling in-person. Counseling will provide you with information about the allowances for your move, nearby weighing stations, and information on appropriate record-keeping (i.e. what papers do you have to keep...)

Ensure that you put together a detailed inventory of all Professional Books, Papers, & Equipment (PBP&E) that you or your spouse will be moving. There are separate weight allowances for these items, and they are deducted from your overall weight allowance!

When you are done with counseling, you should have a completed DD Form 2278. This is a simple two-page form that is filled out and certified by the Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO). It will have important information such as:

date of your move orders
mileage to the next station of duty
entitlements
weight allowances
etc.

Step 4. Estimate Weight of HHG

HHG (House Hold Goods) weight is what will determine the reimbursement amount. You can skip this step if you are not going to be asking for an advance monetary allowance.

A general rule of thumb is 1000 pounds per room, plus additional weight for large appliances.

Average weights of large appliances:

Old-school refrigerator (freezer on top): 175 pounds
Side by side fridge: 250 pounds
Washing Machine: 200 pounds
Dryer: 100 pounds
Ovens: 125 pounds
BBQs: 180 pounds

If you are willing to spend a little more time, your can get a more accurate estimate by using this calculator

Step 5. Estimate Move Cost

If you wish to ask for an advance monetary allowance, you will need a quote from a moving company, with an estimated cost for your move. This does not mean that you have to use a moving company, you can still hire a truck and move yourself - it is simply for the purpose of calculating the advance amount that you are eligible for.

To state the obvious, any advance monetary allowance you receive will reduce the final reimbursement!

Free moving quotes are easy to obtain, go to the website of any major moving company and you will be able to submit a request online.

Step 6. Before the Move

Prior to your move, make sure you inventory your belongings. You should consider getting appraisals of anything you own that is especially expensive or valuable, to ensure you can receive full replacement value if they are lost or damaged during your move. Taking a video of your furnished home can be a great way to quickly get a record of the condition of your belongings prior to the move.

Step 7. THE MOVE

Easy, right? Just get all of your worldly possessions from point A. to point B. Here are the things you need to do during the move:

Weight tickets:

These are amount the most important pieces of paper that you will have. Without a set of certified weight tickets, you WILL NOT be reimbursed for your move. If you are using a moving company, they will provide a set. If you are moving your HHG yourself, you will need to obtain them yourself.

1. Get an EMPTY weight ticket. Before loading up any of your household goods, you must weight the empty vehicle, with a full tank of gas but no belongings, driver or passengers.
2. Get a LOADED weight ticket. This is a weight ticket with the loaded vehicle with a full tank of gas, but no driver or passengers

   Your weight tickets must include:

   • Official stamp
   • Address
   • Telephone number
   • Signature
   • Title of individual certifying weight
   • Weight and date: the ticket should include both gross and tare weights. Gross weight is the weight of the vehicle fully loaded, and the tare weight is the weight of the empty vehicle. The difference in these weights will help you calculate the net weight of your HHG.
   • Member’s name and last 5 digits of SSN
   • Identification of vehicle

Protip: Take a picture of your weight tickets and email them to yourself, just in case...

Receipts

During your move, make sure you keep track of receipts for all your other moving related expenses such as meals and lodging en route to your destination. As soon as you are handed a receipt, put it in your clipboard. You will submit a DD Form 1351-2 along with your receipts (for items exceeding $75) detailing your expenses in order to receive reimbursement.

OPE worksheet

If you are doing the work for your move yourself, some of the reimbursement you receive will be taxable. (Death and taxes, man...) You can, however, reduce this amount! Certain expenses are considered Operating Expenses, and they will reduce the taxable amount if you submit an OPE worksheet.

Step 8. After the move

Storage

If you will require temporary storage, you will need to obtain DD Form 1857 from the PPSO, and provide supporting documentation to explain your need (i.e. if your home isn’t yet ready for move-in). When moving, up to 90-days of temporary storage in a commercial facility is authorized and reimbursable at cost. Additional time may be authorized by contacting your PPSO. Funds for temporary storage will not be advanced.

Check For Damage

Perform a thorough inspection of your belongings upon arrival. In case of any lost or damaged goods, you may file a claim on move.mil to obtain the full replacement value of your goods. i.e. if your TV gets dropped during the move, you will be reimbursed what it costs you to buy the same TV.

If you discover damage:

• First file a loss/damage report. This notifies the TSP of your intent to file a claim.
• File a claim: fill out as much information as possible in this section and include photos and other documentation if you have it. Your claim will be submitted to the TSP.
• The TSP may either accept or deny your claim. If denied, you may escalate the matter to the Military Claims Office.

Step 9. Submit your paperwork for reimbursement

You will need all of the following

• DD1351-2- Completed and signed by Reviewing official
• PCS Travel Orders
• DD2278- Calculated by the Transportation Office*
• Copies of Certified Weight tickets including Gross (full) weight and one for Tare (empty) weight
• Operating Expense (OPE) worksheet- if attempting to reduce your taxable income
• Copy of Paid Rental Agreement
• Copy of vehicle registration when utilizing POV and/or boat/trailermove (See JTR for details)

Step 10. Not quite done yet... TAXES

There's always a catch... If you receive incentive pay for your move, it is taxed at 22%. You will be mailed a W-2 on the incentive pay amount for the tax year you received the payment. This type of W-2 is not available on myPay. If you submitted an OPE worksheet, it will have reduced this taxable amount!