Allowance guides
Know what you’re entitled to.
Plain-English guides to the allowances that make the biggest difference to forces pay — who qualifies, how much you get, worked examples and how to claim. Each one has a calculator built in and is checked against JSP 752 version 67.1 (October 2026).
Travel and commuting
Travel and commutingGet You Home (Travel)A tax-free daily allowance towards getting home at weekends, stand-down and leave when your home is more than 50 miles from where you serve.£2.15–£17.55 a day, depending on distanceTravel and commutingHome to Duty TravelA tax-free contribution towards your daily commute. You pay for the first few miles of each one-way trip; the MOD contributes for the rest, normally up to 50 miles.£3.48 a day for a 20-mile commute from a private homeTravel and commutingMotor Mileage AllowanceA tax-free mileage rate when you’re authorised to use your own car, motorbike or bicycle for duty travel — plus extras for passengers and sports kit.25p a mile by carTravel and commutingGet You Home (Overseas)If you’re assigned overseas, GYH(O) pays towards one return trip to the UK each year for you and each eligible family member, up to a set flight allowance for your country.£120–£1,845 per person, per return flight
Deployment and separation
Deployment and separationOperational AllowanceA tax-free daily payment for every day you spend in a specified operational location, recognising the danger of serving there.£29.02 a day — £5,281.64 for six monthsDeployment and separationLonger Separation AllowanceA daily allowance for time spent separated from home by duty. The more separation you build up over your career, the higher your level and daily rate.£9.58–£43.77 a day, Levels 1 to 16Deployment and separationCouncil Tax ReliefA tax-free daily payment towards your council tax while you’re deployed on a specified operation or assignment.£5.12 a day from 1 May 2026Deployment and separationRespite ProvisionIf you’re assigned overseas, Respite Provision pays towards travel and accommodation for a short break away from your duty station each year — for you and your family.4–9 days a year, with a daily cap per person
Moving and housing
Moving and housingDisturbance ExpenseA one-off payment towards the extra costs of moving home when you’re ordered to a new permanent assignment, with an extra amount for each child changing school.£1,041 for a UK family moveMoving and housingLodging AllowanceA daily allowance to rent private lodgings in the UK when no suitable Service single accommodation is available — covering rent, bills, food, travel and incidentals.£14.20–£70.27 a day, by rank and rateMoving and housingForces Help to BuyAn interest-free advance of up to half your salary, capped at £25,000, towards buying a home — a deposit, solicitor’s fees and estate agent’s fees.£25,000 maximum, interest-free