Benefits & Entitlements
for Relocating Military Families
Understand what support is available - and how affects your housing decisions during a posting
Relocating with the Canadian Armed Forces comes with a range of benefits designed to reduce the financial and logistical stress of a posting.
This page explains — in plain language — how CAF relocation benefits typically work, what they are meant to cover, and how they affect real-world housing decisions like renting, buying, selling, and timing your move.
The goal is not to replace official policy, but to help you understand your options early so you can plan with confidence.
📦 Relocation Benefits Overview
Under the CAF Relocation Directive (CAFRD), the following benefits commonly apply during a posting:
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House Hunting and Destination Inspection Trips (HHT & DIT): Assistance with pre-move visits to the new location.
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Interim Lodging, Meals & Miscellaneous Expenses (ILM & M): Support for temporary accommodations and meals during the transition.
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Transportation to New Location (TNL): Coverage for travel expenses to the new posting.
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Shipment and Storage of Household Goods & Effects: Reimbursement for moving and storing personal belongings.
TIP : For detailed information, refer to the
CAFRD Chapter 3: Common Relocation Entitlements.
🚗 Transportation Entitlements
Transportation benefits are designed to cover the movement of your household and personal effects from one posting location to another.
This may include:
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Travel costs for you and your dependents, see Rental Vehicles : Air Travel:
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Movement of household goods and personal effects
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Vehicle shipment or mileage reimbursement (where applicable), see Kilometric Allowance
Transportation choices can affect timing, temporary housing needs, and when you can realistically begin house hunting at your new location.
🏠 Housing & Lodging Entitlements
Housing-related benefits play the biggest role in how posting decisions affect your day-to-day life. These benefits are designed to help bridge the gap between leaving one home and settling into another.
Depending on your situation, this may include support for:
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Temporary accommodations while securing long-term housing
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Costs associated with selling or vacating a home
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Initial housing expenses at your new posting location
Understanding how these entitlements interact with local housing markets is critical — especially when deciding whether to rent first, buy immediately, or sell before arrival.
🍽️ Meals & Miscellaneous Expenses
During certain phases of a relocation, allowances may be available to help offset meals and incidental costs incurred while travelling or temporarily displaced due to the move.
These benefits are typically short-term and intended to support you during transition periods rather than long-term living expenses.
🧾 Tax Implications & Deductions
Some relocation-related expenses may have tax implications depending on how they are reimbursed and your individual circumstances.
While many CAF benefits are structured to reduce tax impact, it’s important to understand how reimbursements, allowances, and deductions may apply in your situation.
📌 Additional Resources
For official policy details and administrative guidance, the following resources provide authoritative information:
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CAF relocation directives and administrative instructions
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Base or unit relocation support services
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Government resources related to benefits and allowances
For comprehensive details, consult the CAFRD Chapter 3: Transportation. Canada.ca
🔗 Other Helpful Military Relocation Tools
Planning Your Move
Most CAF families begin planning their housing decisions well before arrival at their new posting. Understanding your benefits is the first step — applying them to real-world decisions is the next.
If you’re early in the process, these tools can help you plan with more clarity:
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See your CFHD amount by posting location and pay level
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Plan your HHT early with a plain-English HHT prep guide
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Get matched with an IRP-Experienced REALTOR familiar with posting timelines and relocation constraints.
This page provides general information only and does not replace official CAF relocation policy or administrative guidance.