Preparing Travelling Allowance Claims

Overview

A travelling allowance claim should use the prescribed form, identify the authorised duty and journey, record any advance or Defence Travel System booking, and include the required sanctions, movement records, tickets, receipts and certificates. The appropriate authority must countersign it unless the claimant is specifically exempt.

What the handbook says

The source distinguishes claims for temporary duty, permanent duty, leave travel concession and retirement. It says the relevant journey particulars, authorisation and supporting evidence must be complete enough for audit. A supplementary claim should be linked to the original claim.

The prescribed forms identified by the source are IAFT-1716 (Revised) for temporary duty, IAFT-1715 for permanent moves, and Appendix A to AO 30/89 for LTC. Retirement claims follow the permanent-move process.

What this means

Treat the claim as an audit record, not just a reimbursement request. Make the route, dates, duty purpose, actual mode of travel and amount paid consistent across the claim, sanction, tickets and certificates. Record a DTS ticket as an advance and do not omit the corresponding ticket details.

Who this applies to

• The journey must have been authorised for bona fide official duty or under another applicable travel provision.
• A competent authority cannot sanction its own move where the source requires approval from a higher authority.
• An exempt claimant may submit without countersignature, but that exemption does not authorise self-sanction of the move.
• Claiming a higher class than used, a journey not performed, or an amount beyond actual expenditure is not permitted.

Rates and dates

This page does not establish an allowance rate. The source records submission and advance-adjustment time limits that differ by claim type; see the dedicated advance and time-limit guide.

What you may need

Depending on claim type, the source requires:

• the prescribed claim form with all applicable certificates completed;
• movement sanction, movement or posting order, and detention certificate;
• journey dates, route, duty purpose, mode and class of travel;
• ticket, PNR, boarding-pass and warrant or Form D particulars where relevant;
• advance and DTS booking details;
• original transport or freight receipts for baggage or a private conveyance;
• dependency and family details where family travel is claimed; and
• registration evidence when transportation of a private car is claimed.

The source describes limited alternatives for missing evidence in specified circumstances. These require the relevant certificate or sanction and should not be treated as a general waiver.

Authorities and source references

• Rules 6, 7, 9, 17-A, 23, 43 and 47(iii), Travel Regulations
• Army Orders 6/2002, 30/1989, 194/1972 and 237/1970
• GoI, MoD letter No. 12630/TA/Mov C/198/D(Mov)/2018, 6 December 2018
• GoI, MoD letter No. 12647/Q Mov C/2464/D(Mov)/2001, 11 September 2001
• GoI, MoD, DMA letter No. 12630/Tpt.A/Mov C/205/D(Mov)/2020, 16 December 2020

Related guidance

• Travelling Allowance Advances and Claim Time Limits
• Temporary Duty Travel Entitlements
• Permanent Duty Move Entitlements
• Travel Entitlements on Retirement

About this guidance

This is a plain-language summary for general information. It is not an official order or an authority for a claim. Confirm the applicable order and your individual eligibility with the competent authority or PCDA(O) before acting.