Advance, Local, Partial, and Emergency Pay

Start Here If You Are New to Advance and Emergency Pay

Advance pay is a tool to help Marines bridge financial gaps tied to PCS, mobilization, evacuation, or other duty-status changes. Up to 3 months of basic pay, less deductions, paid up front and repaid through monthly deductions over a defined period. Local pay (also known as casual pay) handles missed scheduled paychecks. Partial pay covers extraordinary circumstances. Emergency partial pay handles emergencies. Commander approval is required for all advance pay requests.

This page walks you through advance and emergency pay from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• The PCS advance pay framework (up to 3 months less deductions, repaid over 24 months)
• Advance BAH and DLA at PCS
• Local pay (casual pay) for missed scheduled paychecks
• Partial pay during deployments
• Emergency partial pay procedures
• The commander approval requirement

Every fact on this page comes from DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 32 (June 2024) and Title 37 U.S.C.Title 37 U.S.C.

What Advance Pay Is

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 1.1, the chapter establishes policy for advance, local, partial, and emergency partial pay. Advance pay is intended to help with the financial burden of specific events such as PCS, mobilization, deployment aboard ship for more than 30 days, or evacuation.

PCS Advance Pay

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 2.1.

Commander Approval Required

The Marine's commander must ensure that the advance of pay is used only to help with the financial burden of the PCS. The commander reviews the request and approves or denies based on the financial circumstances of the Marine.

Bankruptcy Caution

Per paragraph 2.1.1.1, if a Marine has filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and then requests advance pay, some bankruptcy court jurisdictions hold that the government cannot recoup the advance without permission from the bankruptcy court. Commanders approach such requests aware that DFAS may not be able to collect the advance.

Maximum Amount

Per Chapter 32 Table 32-1, the maximum PCS advance pay is up to 3 months of basic pay less applicable deductions (FITW, FICA, SGLI, etc.).

Repayment

Per Table 32-2, PCS advance pay is repaid through monthly deductions over a 24-month period (12 months for some short-tour PCS scenarios).

Effect on Allotments

Per paragraph 2.1.4, the advance is not paid in an amount that requires stopping allotments for insurance or dependent support. No new allotment is started after the advance if it would prevent repayment within the allowed period. If separation is imminent, all allotments necessary to collect the advance are stopped.

Advance Pay for Mobilization or Distant-Station Duty

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 2.2, advance pay is also available when a Marine is.

• Mobilized.
• Ordered to duty at a distant station.
• Deployed aboard ship for more than 30 days.

The eligibility and amount per Table 32-1, rule 2 cover these scenarios. Repayment is per Table 32-2.

Advance Pay for Hazardous Duty Pay Area Assignment

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 2.3, a Marine assigned for 1 year or more to a Hazardous Duty Pay area receives an advance of basic pay not to exceed 3 months less deductions. Repayment is per Table 32-2, rule 11. Notably, advance pays not fully collected prior to the Marine's death are NOT collected against the estate.

Advance Pay When Ordered to Indoctrination Center

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 2.4, a Marine ordered to an indoctrination center receives an advance of basic pay not to exceed 15 days. Collect the advance in full from the next available payday.

Advance BAS

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 2.5, an enlisted Marine entitled to BAS receives an advance of BAS not to exceed 3 months. The Commanding Officer determines the necessity. Marine Corps regulations may limit BAS advances to less than 3 months. Repayment is per Table 32-2, rule 12.

Advance Pay Upon Evacuation

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 2.6, the advance gives funds to evacuated Marines or dependents to cover costs of travel, food, and other needs. Eligibility and amount per Table 32-1, rule 5.

Advance BAH at PCS

Per Chapter 32, an advance of BAH is allowed for Marines on PCS who incur lump-sum housing costs (deposits, first month rent). The advance is typically equal to 3 months of BAH and is repaid through monthly deductions.

Advance DLA (Dislocation Allowance)

Per Chapter 32, the Dislocation Allowance is normally paid up-front at PCS to offset moving costs. DLA is part of the standard PCS advance package along with advance pay and advance BAH.

Local Pay (Casual Pay)

Per Chapter 32 section 3.0, local pay (also known as casual pay) is a partial payment to a Marine when the regular scheduled paycheck is missed or delayed.

When Local Pay Applies

Common situations include.

• The Marine is in transit during a payday and unable to access banking.
• A pay system disruption prevents the regular pay from processing.
• The Marine is OCONUS and the pay disbursement is delayed.

Amount

Local pay is typically up to 80 percent of the Marine's normal monthly net pay, less expected deductions. The actual amount depends on circumstances.

Repayment

Local pay is collected when the regular pay processes (typically the next pay cycle). The amount is deducted from the regular pay in full.

Partial Pay

Per Chapter 32 section 3.0, partial pay is a payment of less than the full earned amount under specific circumstances.

Common Situations

• A Marine in a non-pay status (e.g., AWOL pending resolution) receives partial pay if circumstances warrant.
• A Marine awaiting court-martial may receive partial pay per Service direction.
• A Marine in a hospital or medical hold receives partial pay during the recovery period.

Approval

Partial pay requires command approval and processes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Emergency Partial Pay

Per Chapter 32 section 3.0, emergency partial pay covers true emergencies where the Marine has an immediate financial need.

Common Situations

• Death in the immediate family requiring emergency travel.
• Natural disaster affecting the Marine or dependents.
• Other emergency situations as determined by command.

Amount

Emergency partial pay amount varies by circumstance. The pay is typically a 1-time payment to cover the immediate emergency need. Repayment processes from the next regular pay.

Repayment Schedule

Per Chapter 32 Table 32-2.

Standard PCS Advance Pay

24-month repayment period, deducted monthly from net pay starting the pay period after the advance is paid.

Short Repayment Periods

Some advances repay within 12 months or 6 months depending on the type of advance and the Marine's situation.

Lump Sum Recovery

Per paragraph 2.4.2, the indoctrination-center advance recovers from the next payday in full.

Limitations on Advance Pay

No Stacking

A Marine cannot have multiple PCS advance pays outstanding at the same time. The previous advance must be fully repaid before a new advance is approved.

Allotment Protection

Advance pay does not deplete protected allotments (insurance, dependent support). The repayment schedule must allow the Marine to maintain critical financial obligations.

Bankruptcy Limitations

Marines in Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be unable to receive advance pay or unable to repay properly per the court's protections.

Verifying Advance Pay on the LES

A monthly LES check confirms advance pay deductions are correct.

Step 1. Pull Your LES

Through MyPay each payday after PCS or other advance pay event.

Step 2. Verify the Advance Pay Recovery Line

The LES shows advance pay recovery as a line item under Deductions. Common abbreviations.

• ADV PAY or ADVANCE PAY. Advance pay recovery.
• ADV BAH or ADVANCE BAH. Advance BAH recovery.

Step 3. Verify the Recovery Schedule

Verify the monthly recovery amount matches the repayment schedule for the advance type. For 24-month PCS advance pay, monthly recovery should be 1/24 of the advance amount.

Step 4. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your S-1. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am PCSing to MCB Camp Lejeune. Can I get an advance to cover deposits and travel?

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 2.1, yes. Coordinate the request with your detaching command's S-1. The advance is up to 3 months of basic pay less deductions, repaid over 24 months. You may also receive advance BAH and DLA at PCS.

I missed my paycheck because of a bank issue. Can I get local pay?

Per Chapter 32 section 3.0, yes. Coordinate with your S-1 to request local pay (casual pay). The pay is typically up to 80 percent of the missed amount and is recovered when the regular pay processes.

My family member died and I need to travel home. Can I get emergency partial pay?

Per Chapter 32 section 3.0, yes if circumstances warrant. Coordinate with your command and the Marine Corps Family Programs office. Emergency partial pay may help cover immediate travel costs. The Marine Corps may also provide alternatives such as humanitarian relief through Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

I have an outstanding PCS advance and want to take another advance for a new PCS. Can I do that?

Per Chapter 32, no. The previous advance must be fully repaid before a new advance is approved. Coordinate the timing with your S-1 to align with the repayment schedule.

What if I separate before my advance is fully repaid?

Per Chapter 32 paragraph 2.1.4, if separation is imminent, DFAS stops allotments necessary to collect the advance. The remaining balance recovers from the final pay (including separation pay if applicable). If the recovery exceeds available pay, the Marine may face a debt to the government collected through alternative means.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• PCS advance pay request. Your detaching S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• Local pay (casual pay) for missed paychecks. Your S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• Emergency partial pay. Your command and Marine Corps Family Programs.
• Advance BAH at PCS. Your detaching S-1 processes with the PCS orders.
• Advance DLA at PCS. Standard PCS payment processed with the orders.
• LES corrections for advance pay recovery. Your S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Pay and Entitlements landing page lists all the pay topics.
• Basic Pay covers the pay tables that drive the advance amount calculation.
• Pay Problems and Fixes covers the LES error recovery flow.

Related Roles

• Leaders coach Marines on the trade-off between using advance pay and managing PCS costs through savings.
• Admin at S-1 processes advance pay requests and routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• Commanders endorse advance pay requests and verify the financial burden justifies the advance.

Advance pay bridges financial gaps but requires repayment over 24 months (or shorter for some types). The 3-month basic pay cap is the major lever. PCS scenarios bundle advance pay, advance BAH, and DLA into a comprehensive package. Plan repayment carefully to avoid LES strain.