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NOTICE: A lapse in appropriations has occurred. Military members will continue to report for duty as per normal operations. Excepted and exempt civilian employees will report to work as usual. Managers and supervisors of non-exempt/non-excepted civilian employees must begin conducting orderly shutdown on the next scheduled workday. FAQs and resources regarding the lapse operations will continue to be posted here and the internal lapse site. 
Commentary | April 29, 2026

Your AY26 Move: What to Know About PCSing During a Funding Lapse

By Zach Shapiro, MyCG Staff

For Assignment Year 2026 (AY26), the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season is fully executable, and members should proceed with their moves as planned. Despite the funding lapse, the Coast Guard has implemented key improvements and support measures to ensure a stable and reliable PCS season. Here’s what you need to know. 

 

PCS Continues—Do Not Delay Your Move 

PCS moves will continue as planned. All PCS actions—including household goods (HHG) shipments, travel, and relocations—remain authorized. You should not delay your move because of the funding lapse. 

To reduce the financial burden on our members, the following support measures are in place: 

  • Expanded Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) Use: Your GTCC is now allowed to be used for authorized PCS expenses. See “Using your GTCC to PCS during the 2026 DHS Shutdown” for Do’s and Don’ts, and refer to the FAQs on the USCG Lapse Site for questions. Ensure you understand your entitlements – if you charge over your entitlements, you will be responsible for immediate repayment of your GTCC. 

  • Increased GTCC Limits: Card limits have been raised to a baseline of $20,000, with higher limits available as needed to cover your relocation costs.

    • GTCC ATM withdrawals are set at $400 and can be increased to $1000 with CO/OIC or O-6/GS-15 approval.  . 

  • Payment Deferrals: We have secured payment flexibility from Citibank for your GTCC balance during the funding lapse. No late fees or negative credit reporting will occur. If the lapse concludes before May 2, your payment will be due on May 23, providing a 21-day grace period to file claims. We will provide additional guidance if the lapse extends beyond May 2. 

  • Advances: A limited disbursement of $1000 Advanced Dislocation Allowance (DLA) has been authorized for all E-7 and below and all members PCSing to or from OCONUS.    

  • PPM Moves: PPMs remain authorized, and the GTCC is allowed for payment of the PPM. 

  • Notices From Citibank: Members may continue to receive automatic notices from CitiBank about outstanding balances on their GTCC.  This is an automated feature that CitiBank cannot turn off.  If the lapse ends prior to 2 May action against overdue balances will not occur until after 23 May. If the lapse continues past 2 May, the Coast Guard will continue to negotiate with DHS and Citibank for an extension. Please see this bulletin about specific details on Citibank notification

  • TDY Concerns: We have heard concerns from members carrying GTCC balances from TDY throughout the Lapse.  The same guidance above applies for these members and they can PCS with a GTCC balance. TDY travel claims must be submitted three (3) days post travel.  

  • Specific Reservist concerns:  We have many reservists on orders who are accumulating significant GTCC balances due to previous training-related travel and current mobilizations to ORW, OBT, OVS etc. By the end of this week, we will send specific communications focused on reservists.  

  • Command Flexibility: Commands are authorized to approve early or late PCS reporting (±90 days) to meet operational needs and provide members with scheduling flexibility. 

  • Additional Options: Visit the Appropriations Lapse Information CGPortal Online page for additional information to support your PCS move during the lapse. 

 

What Leaders Can Do 

Leaders at all levels are directed to ensure every member understands their entitlements and how to use the GTCC properly. We are also prioritizing solutions to provide additional financial support for junior members. 

  • PCS Entitlement Counseling: Ensure members are counselled early and updated as things change.  Members must clearly understand what expenses are authorized, prohibited, their total PCS entitlement limits and reimbursement timing expectations.  Your P&A shop has also received additional information about this PCS season and should be able to answer questions. 

  • Timely Travel Claims: Members should file their travel claim as soon they arrive at their new PDS. 

  • When you or your members have questions on the GTCC:   

  • Contact the CG PCS Assist Team (844-727-2022)  

  • Contact your unit GTCC Coordinator  

  • Contact the Coast Guard’s GTCC Program Coordinator (via your chain of command)  

 

A Better, Simpler Member Experience 

This PCS season marks a return to proven systems with stronger oversight to ensure reliable performance from moving companies. 

  • Return to MilMove/DPS: The Coast Guard and DoW have transitioned back to the MilMove/Defense Personal Property System (DPS). This provides a single, familiar interface for all your HHG needs, from counseling and booking to tracking shipments and filing claims. 

  • Availability of Better Movers: DoW has also updated the personal property business rules to ensure that rates are more competitive for movers—so a wider array of quality moving companies is available to members. Your move executed through MilMove/DPS uses established transportation service providers with strong on-time delivery and low loss and damage rates.  

  • Improved Accountability: The stand-up of the Personal Property Activity (PPA) provides centralized oversight of the entire moving process. This means real-time shipment visibility, faster resolution of issues, and the removal of poor-performing carriers from the system. 

 

Dedicated Support is Standing By 

If you encounter challenges during your move, several specialized teams are ready to help you resolve them immediately. While your first point of contact should be your local unit administration shop or transportation office, do not hesitate to escalate issues to these specialized teams. 

  • CG PCS Assist Team: The PCS Assist Team is a seasonal resource that operates during peak PCS season (April thru October) and is based within the Coast Guard’s Pay and Personnel Center (PPC). The team can provide personalized support with a wide range of PCS-related issues, especially issues with personally procured moves (PPMs), moving date adjustments, contract issues, or other unique PCSing challenges. 

  • Phone: (844) 727-2022 (with after-hours emergency support) 

  • DoW PCS Call Center: For 24/7 global support with any HHG issues within the MilMove/DPS system, the DoW Call Center provides you with direct case ownership, where action officers track individual issues until resolution. However, please note that the Call Center can support issues under the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) only. It is not typically able to intervene directly with third-party service providers. 

  • Phone: 833-MIL-MOVE (833-645-6683) 

  • Military OneSource: A comprehensive resource for checklists, planning tools, and information to help you prepare for every stage of your PCS. 

 

The Coast Guard is committed to executing a stable PCS season. With proven systems, stronger accountability, and dedicated support teams, members and families have the resources they need for a successful move. 

 

-USCG- 

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