Disturbance Expenses

What’s it for?

Disturbance Expenses is designed to cover the various costs associated with moving to a new home, including:

• preparation of current accommodation for handover to another Service person, or for sale or letting

• mail redirection

• installation of domestic appliances

• installation of satellite/cable equipment

• insurance of stored items

This child element of this allowance can also be used to contribute towards the extra costs of buying new school uniforms for your children.

You will only be able to claim this allowance when you are required to make a qualifying move, including moving to or from an Alternative Work Address if you are working remotely. This will normally mean that you have been ordered in writing to move to a new place of duty to undertake a permanent assignment following Phase 1 training or on subsequent qualifying moves.  Other eligible moves are detailed in JSP 752.

What do I get?

This allowance is a fixed sum which is paid in advance of your move via your pay . The amount paid depends on the type of accommodation you’re moving to and whether it’s in the UK or overseas.

• Overseas Single Living Accommodation and Substitute Service Single Accommodation: £371 (from 1 April 24)

• Overseas Service Family Accommodation, Substitute Service Family Accommodation and privately owned or rented accommodation: £1882 (from 1 April 24)

• UK Single Living Accommodation and Substitute Service Single Accommodation: £103

• UK Service Families Accommodation, Substitute Service Family Accommodation and privately owned or rented accommodation: £1,041

• Child element (for each eligible child): £81

When can’t I use this?

You won’t be able to claim this allowance when you are joining your initial (Phase 1) training unit or when leaving the Services unless you are entitled to Final Tour of Duty provisions, redundancy or you are being medically discharged. Neither can you claim it if you claim Insurance Allowance.

How do I claim?

Claims may be submitted 45 days prior to the expected move date. You can do this by logging onto JPA. The claim for disturbance expense self-service user guide (which can be found at JPA user guides) tells you what you then need to do.  If you don’t have access to JPA, then you need complete JPA Form F018, which can be found at JPA forms and submit it to your unit HR admin office.