JBSA PCS Checklist: Documents, Finance, and Moving Guide for San Antonio
A fast, reliable PCS requires clean documents, organized finances, and on time shipments. For Joint Base San Antonio, prepare copies of orders, passports, pet and school records, and a moving binder. Coordinate household goods in the Defense Personal Property System, plan travel and allowances, and finish with arrival tasks like reporting, vehicle registration, housing, and DEERS updates.
Before You Go
- Carry multiple copies of PCS orders and passports.
- Collect pet vaccination records and school transcripts or IEPs.
- Build a moving binder for documents and contacts.
Finance And Benefits
- Give employer notice and request references if needed.
- Open accounts near JBSA and plan safe deposit access.
- Ask finance about housing allowances and Advance Travel pay.
Household Goods In DPS
- Schedule the pre move survey early with your mover.
- Make a detailed personal inventory with photos.
- Use DPS to track pickup, transit, and delivery.
Upon Arrival At JBSA
- Report to your unit and connect with your sponsor.
- Register your vehicle and secure base access.
- Prepare your home and update DEERS promptly.
Official resources: Defense Personal Property System · JBSA Military and Family Readiness · Basic Allowance for Housing · milConnect for DEERS
Key Takeaways
- Start with a moving binder that holds orders, passports, pet records, and school documents so you can answer requests instantly during check in and housing appointments.
- Coordinate household goods in DPS early, complete the pre move survey, and keep a photo inventory so claims and delivery windows stay organized across travel days.
- Align money matters before travel by opening local accounts, confirming allowances, and discussing Advance Travel pay options with finance to stabilize cash flow.
- Pack a separate suitcase with uniforms, a first aid kit, essential clothing, chargers, and documents so you can function easily while waiting for delivery.
- Schedule utility shutoff the day after departure and forward mail and final bills to your new address or a trusted contact for smooth transitions.
- Upon arrival, report to your command, register your vehicle, update DEERS, and prepare your home so family routines re start quickly in San Antonio.
Before You Go: Documents And Organization
Begin your PCS by assembling a complete, travel ready file and a digital mirror of every essential document. Carry multiple copies of orders, passports, and Military identification for every traveler, then add pet vaccination records and school documents with any current Individualized Education Program notes. Build a moving binder with an index, a receipt pocket, and a contacts page for your movers, finance office, lodging, and gaining unit. Finish with a secure digital backup so you can verify details from any phone during layovers, weather delays, or route changes into San Antonio.
- Assemble core records: Place orders, passports, Military IDs, birth certificates, shot records, transcripts, IEPs, and medical files in sleeves with a master index for checkpoint ready access and quick handoffs.
- Create a moving binder: Add labeled sections for contacts, receipts, confirmation numbers, shipment identifiers, lodging details, and a simple calendar so everyone can follow the plan day by day.
- Digitize backups: Scan everything to a password protected drive and store a second copy in encrypted cloud storage to protect timelines if a bag is lost or flights are rerouted.
- Share essentials: Give your spouse, trusted friend, or command sponsor a copy of key contacts and the travel plan so tasks continue even when travel schedules temporarily separate family members.
Finance And Travel Planning
Stabilize cash flow and permissions before you travel. Notify any civilian employer, request references, and set up accounts near Joint Base San Antonio so deposits and reimbursements post cleanly on arrival. Confirm Basic Allowance for Housing factors with your finance office and compare the official Defense Travel Management Office guidance for context. If you need help with lodging and fuel during movement, discuss Advance Travel pay and repayment terms early and record them in your binder alongside your itinerary and unit contact list. Pack a separate suitcase with uniforms, a first aid kit, chargers, and medications so you can work while household goods move.
Review allowances context on the Defense Travel Management Office BAH page and ask your finance office about Advance Travel options and timing. For Army specific procedures, see DFAS’s PCS page for advances and documentation requirements on request and repayment.
- Banking readiness: Open local accounts, set mobile alerts, and test online access so you can verify deposits, travel reimbursements, and card activity while moving between hotels and airports.
- Allowance clarity: Capture written BAH, per diem, and dislocation allowance notes in your binder to avoid misunderstandings and to help leaders approve adjustments if your travel plan shifts.
- Travel cash plan: If approved, document Advance Travel pay timing, amount, and repayment so fuel, lodging, and pet boarding do not strain the budget during movement weeks.
- Essentials suitcase: Pack uniforms, toiletries, chargers, medications, small tools, and a compact first aid kit so you can operate comfortably while you wait for delivery in San Antonio.
Coordinating Household Goods In DPS
Schedule your pre move survey early, confirm access for the truck, and photograph high value items before pack day. Use the Defense Personal Property System to accept your shipment, confirm pickup dates, and track routing. Save confirmation numbers and screenshots in your binder and digital folder so you can file or defend claims perfectly if something shifts. Consistent notes and staging help the crew load efficiently and protect your timeline on delivery day near Joint Base San Antonio.
If you are new to the portal, start with the official overview and DPS login information on Military OneSource’s DPS page for directions, eligibility, and contact options.
- Pre move survey: Confirm parking, elevator reservations, and any stairs. Identify safes, instruments, or gym equipment so the crew arrives with the correct materials and manpower.
- Personal inventory: Photograph serial numbers and jewelry, then place small parts and cords in labeled bags that travel with you instead of the moving truck.
- DPS milestones: Track acceptance, pickup, in transit, and delivery windows. Save screenshots, emails, and texts so claims and scheduling conversations are organized and fast.
- Room staging: Group items by destination room, label boxes clearly, and keep an open top essentials box with bedding, towels, and cleaning supplies for the first night.
Document And Shipment Tables
These quick tables outline what to carry versus what to stage for shipment, and the milestones you should track inside the Defense Personal Property System. Keep printed copies with your binder and maintain digital backups so you can verify details from your phone during travel or delivery.
| Category | Carry With You | Pack For Shipment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity and orders | PCS orders, passports, Military IDs, driver licenses | Photocopies in binder duplicates | Keep originals on your person during every travel segment |
| Family and pets | School records, IEPs, vaccination and health records | Duplicates in a sealed document box | Carry physical copies for quick school and vet registration |
| Finance | Bank information, routing numbers, allowance guidance | Paid receipts and non essential statements | Enable mobile access and alerts before departure |
| House keys and tools | Keys, chargers, basic tools, first aid kit | Bulky tools and seldom used items | Keep one multi tool and tape in the carry bag |
| DPS Stage | Action | Who | Target Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre move survey | Inventory, access check, special items noted | Mover and member | Two to four weeks before pickup |
| Pickup and load | Boxes staged, inventory signed, weights recorded | Crew and member | As scheduled in DPS |
| In transit | Track routing and arrival estimates | Member | Check updates every few days |
| Delivery | Check inventory, note exceptions, sign paperwork | Crew and member | Walk each room and verify counts |
Preparing Your Home And Utilities
Plan shutoffs for the day after you depart to leave time for cleaning and a last walkthrough. Submit a mail forwarding request, change digital statements to paperless, and direct final bills to your new address or a trusted contact. Photograph meter readings, thermostat settings, and appliance conditions before you lock up. These small steps prevent reconnect fees, reduce risk of water or ice maker damage, and keep your budget predictable during the first weeks in San Antonio while you coordinate deliveries, school enrollments, and unit schedules.
Submit your address change through the official USPS change of address page to keep important mail moving securely while you travel and in the first month at your new home.
- Utility timeline: Schedule power, water, gas, and internet stop dates the day after departure so cleaners and inspectors finish without delays or reconnect fees.
- Mail and billing: Forward mail, update subscriptions, and capture final statements in your binder so deposits and reimbursements are easy to reconcile.
- Damage prevention: Empty refrigerators, shut off ice makers, and photograph appliance and meter readings to simplify any move related conversations with your mover.
- Security handoff: Collect keys, fobs, and codes into a labeled envelope for your property manager or buyer if you are selling a home during this PCS.
Arrival Week At JBSA: Reporting, Housing, And DEERS
On arrival, report to your command and meet your sponsor for local orientation, temporary lodging options, and immediate school or childcare needs. Register your vehicle and verify gate access requirements so daily commutes stay predictable. Walk your new home, confirm utilities, and stage rooms for efficient delivery and unpacking. Update Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System information so benefits align with your San Antonio address and your dependents are ready for healthcare and school activities. If you need local support, connect with the Joint Base San Antonio Military and Family Readiness team for checklists, classes, and family specific resources that smooth the first month.
Update benefits and contact information at milConnect for DEERS, and explore the JBSA Military and Family Readiness page for base specific classes, workshops, and newcomer services across Fort Sam Houston, Lackland, and Randolph.
- Report and sponsor support: Check in with your unit, confirm duty schedule, and lean on sponsor assistance for local services, childcare, and base procedures that new arrivals often need.
- Vehicle and access: Register your vehicle and validate gate access requirements so morning and evening routines remain predictable while you settle near Joint Base San Antonio.
- Housing readiness: Walk the home, confirm utilities, change air filters, and stage rooms for efficient delivery, assembly, and a systematic approach to boxes.
- DEERS update: Visit the local office or use milConnect to verify address, dependents, and eligibility so healthcare, pharmacy, and school enrollment move forward immediately.
Using Official PCS Tools And Checklists
Even experienced Military families benefit from refreshed checklists and contact sheets each move. Military OneSource maintains current guidance and links for household goods, weight estimators, entitlements, and unique situations like pets or vehicle shipping. Pair these resources with your unit’s sponsor checklist and your binder index so repeating tasks are faster and each family member understands responsibilities. Use the same naming convention across your receipts, photos, and shipping screenshots so your digital archive is searchable during delivery, claims, or travel voucher submission.
Browse Military OneSource’s moving hub for planning and household goods details at the PCS and Military moves section, then return to DPS to update milestones as plans evolve.
Citations Used
- Military OneSource — Defense Personal Property System overview and login
- Military OneSource — PCS and Military moves planning hub
- Defense Travel Management Office — BAH information and fact sheets
- DFAS — Army PCS travel pay and advances information
- milConnect — DEERS updates and benefits access
- Joint Base San Antonio — Military and Family Readiness Centers
- USPS — Official change of address and mail forwarding
Your Next Steps…
Print this checklist, finish your moving binder, and schedule the pre move survey inside DPS. Confirm allowances and any Advance Travel pay with finance, and set utility dates for both addresses. On arrival in San Antonio, report to your unit, register your vehicle, secure housing, and update DEERS so benefits align with your new address.
A written plan keeps your Military household on schedule from orders to keys. Small habits like screenshots, labeled folders, and photos of meter readings protect your timeline, your budget, and your peace of mind during the first month at Joint Base San Antonio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SAH and HISA for Disabled Veterans?
SAH funds major construction or adaptation to create barrier free living in a home you own or will own. HISA funds medically necessary improvements like ramps or shower conversions when prescribed by a VA clinician and reviewed by prosthetics.
How much SAH funding is available in the current fiscal year?
For fiscal year twenty twenty six, the SAH maximum is one hundred twenty six thousand five hundred twenty six dollars. The VA adjusts this amount annually based on construction costs and publishes updates on official pages and the Federal Register.
How much HISA funding can I receive and what does it cover?
HISA provides a lifetime maximum of six thousand eight hundred dollars for service connected conditions. It covers medically necessary improvements that support treatment continuity and safe access to essential home areas like bathrooms and entryways.
Who qualifies for Texas HEROES funding and what projects are typical?
Texas HEROES prioritizes very low or low income **Veterans** and surviving spouses. Typical projects include ramps, wider doors, accessible bathrooms, and urgent repairs to electrical, plumbing, roofing, windows, and entries that restore safety and independence.
Can I use SAH funds more than once if needs change later?
Yes. SAH funds can be disbursed up to six times across your lifetime, which supports phased projects and moves. Keep detailed records for each draw and coordinate inspections and closeout before requesting additional disbursements.
How do I start an SAH application in San Antonio?
Apply online or by mail with VA Form twenty six four five five five. After submission, a VA representative reviews eligibility, confirms property plans, and explains documentation, inspections, and disbursement steps for your chosen builder.
How do I request HISA and what documentation is required?
Meet with your VA provider to document medical necessity. Submit a prosthetics packet with the prescription, photos, and an itemized bid that matches the clinical plan. Keep copies of receipts and before and after photos for your records.
Can state funds like Texas HEROES be combined with SAH or HISA?
Often yes, when scopes do not overlap and program rules allow. Discuss sequencing with your VA agent and the Texas Veterans Commission partner so permits, inspections, and payments align cleanly with your chosen contractor timeline.
Do these grants work with a VA home purchase in Bexar County?
Yes. SAH can support adaptations in a home you will own, while HISA covers medically necessary changes after clinical review. Coordinate with your lender on appraisal, escrow timing, and contractor start dates to avoid closing delays.
Where can I verify current amounts and find local contacts?
Review SAH and HISA pages on VA.gov and contact your prosthetics team for HISA specifics. For Texas HEROES, start with the Texas Veterans Commission program directory and ask for partner organizations serving Bexar County.
