Is There Moving Assistance for Veterans? Programs, Discounts & What to Expect (2026)
Here’s the quick answer: There’s no general VA benefit that pays for a veteran’s move. Help does exist in specific situations: your final military move if you’re still within its time limit, VA-funded moving costs for low-income veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their housing, and military or veteran discounts from movers, truck rental, and container companies. If you’re buying a home, a VA home loan doesn’t require a down payment.
This guide covers every type of moving assistance for veterans we could verify, who qualifies, and how to cut the cost of a self-paid move. Still in uniform? See your final military move first.
Here’s where veterans can get help with a move, and who qualifies:
| Type of help | Who qualifies | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Final military move | Retiring or separating members, within the deadline | A government-arranged household goods move |
| SSVF moving costs (VA) | Low-income veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk | Truck rental, movers, or up to 3 months of storage, once every 3 years |
| Mover & rental discounts | Varies by company | A percentage or dollar amount off |
| VA home loan | Eligible veterans buying a home | No down payment required |
Most veteran moves are self-paid, so the price you book matters. Start with movers that have a proven track record:
Why moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get up to $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Jump to the veteran moving help you’re looking for:
Hiring movers? Compare two of moveBuddha’s top-rated Certified movers, both with military moving experience:
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
Does the VA pay for moving?
No, not as a general benefit. The VA doesn’t pay for a veteran’s move just because they served. The moving help it funds is tied to housing stability, for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The government-paid move most veterans think of is the final military move, and that comes from the Department of Defense, not the VA. Once that benefit is used or its deadline passes, your moves are self-paid, like any civilian’s.
That makes a veteran move a regular move, priced like any other. See typical costs for a move like yours.
Is your final military move still available?
If you left the service recently, check this first. Retirees have up to three years after retirement to use their government-paid final move, and members separating with fewer than eight years generally have 180 days. Our guide to your final military move covers who qualifies, where the military will move you, and what it won’t pay for.
Your transportation office can confirm whether your benefit is still open and how much time you have left. If it is, use it before paying for a move yourself.
If your window has closed, plan for a self-paid move. Check what your move would cost this month.
What moving help is there for veterans at risk of losing their housing?
The VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program can pay moving costs for low-income veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk. Under the federal SSVF rules, 38 CFR 62.34, moving costs can cover truck rental, hiring a moving company, or short-term storage for up to three months, to help you get into permanent housing. It’s available once every three years, and payments go directly to the company, not to you.
To get started, contact the VA’s homeless help line at 877-424-3838, available 24/7. A counselor connects you with local programs, including SSVF, short-term financial help, and HUD-VASH rental assistance.
Some nonprofits help with housing costs, but most don’t pay for a move:
- Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF): Its Grants to Provide Stability program can pay up to $1,000 toward rent, mortgage, or utilities, but it lists moving expenses and storage as not covered. DVNF’s separate Homeless to Housing program can help with a security deposit for a new home.
- Operation Homefront: Its critical financial assistance for veterans is limited to post-9/11 veterans who were wounded, ill, or injured in the line of duty and are within 10 years of separation. Moving costs aren’t on its list of covered expenses, so call before you apply.
Even with help on deposits or rent, you may still pay for the move itself. Compare truck, container, and mover prices for your route.
Which movers & rental companies offer veteran discounts?
Several truck rental and moving container companies offer discounts that include veterans, but many military discounts only apply to active-duty members, so check eligibility before you book:
- Penske: Takes 15% off for active-duty and veteran military with code MILITARY. Bring a military ID or proof of veteran status to pickup.
- U-Pack: Takes $50 off for veterans with code MIL50.
- 1-800-PACK-RAT: Takes 10% off for active-duty and retired military with code MILITARY10.
- American Van Lines: Says it offers discounts for military families and applies any that fit when you mention your service.
- Budget Truck Rental: Its 20% military discount requires travel with orders, so it doesn’t apply to most veteran moves.
Discounts and codes change often, and most can’t be combined with other offers, so confirm the current deal when you book.
Want a carrier that works with military families? American Van Lines is a moveBuddha Certified mover that has operated since 1995:
rating
4.9 / 5
How can a VA home loan help with your move?
If you’re moving to buy a home, a VA home loan can lower the cash you need up front. According to VA.gov, the VA home loan program doesn’t require a down payment or monthly mortgage insurance.
Most borrowers pay a one-time VA funding fee, figured as a percentage of the loan amount, not the purchase price:
- Less than 5% down: 2.15% the first time you use the benefit, or 3.3% after that.
- 5% or more down: 1.5%.
- 10% or more down: 1.25%.
- No funding fee: Veterans who receive VA disability compensation, or who are eligible for it but receive retirement or active-duty pay instead, don’t pay the fee. Surviving spouses receiving DIC and active-duty Purple Heart recipients are also exempt.
Money you don’t put toward a down payment can go toward the move itself. Estimate your moving costs alongside your home budget.
How do you vet a veteran-owned moving company?
Vet a veteran-owned mover the same way you’d vet any mover: confirm it’s a licensed carrier, not a broker, before you pay a deposit. A veteran-owned label doesn’t tell you whether the company will actually move your things.
Expert tip: moveBuddha founder Ryan Carrigan recommends looking up the company’s USDOT or MC number in the FMCSA SAFER database and checking the Entity Type at the top. If it says broker, avoid the company. If it says carrier, keep vetting. See why we don’t recommend moving brokers.
Some veterans also look for military-owned movers to support. In moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project, Melissa O. chose Safeway Moving for her 724-mile move from Wellington, Florida, to Red Bank, Tennessee, in March 2024 partly because it’s military owned, she told us. Her move came in a little under her original estimate. Read Melissa’s full story.
Safeway is a moveBuddha Certified mover. Compare its rates for your move:
rating
4.9 / 5
How can veterans cut moving costs?
The biggest savings come from comparing prices and doing more of the work yourself. On average, DIY options like moving containers and rental trucks cost about 30% less than full-service movers, according to moveBuddha pricing data.
- Compare quotes: moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average by comparing movers instead of booking the first quote they get.
- Use the discounts you qualify for: Ask every company about veteran pricing, since not all of them advertise it.
- Move off-peak if you can: Summer is the busiest moving season. See our guide to the best time to move.
- Get storage quoted up front: If your new home isn’t ready, storage can add up quickly.
Want the container company to handle the driving? PODS delivers a container to your door and can store it between homes:
rating
4.8 / 5
More about military moves
- Final military move: See what the military pays for when you retire or separate, and how long you have to use it.
- Best military moving companies: Compare top-rated movers for PCS and PPM moves, with pricing and reviews.
- Military PPM move guide: Learn how a PPM works if you’re still on active duty.
- Military moving guide: Plan your full PCS move, from orders to unpacking at your new duty station.
FAQ
Does the VA pay for moving expenses?
No, the VA doesn’t pay moving expenses as a general benefit. Its Supportive Services for Veteran Families program can pay moving costs for low-income veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of losing their housing.
Is there free moving assistance for veterans?
Free moving assistance for veterans is limited. Your final military move is government-paid if you’re still within its deadline, and SSVF can cover moving costs for qualifying low-income veterans once every three years.
Do moving companies give veteran discounts?
Yes, some moving and rental companies give veteran discounts. Penske takes 15% off for veterans, and U-Pack takes $50 off with code MIL50, but many military discounts only apply to active-duty members.
Does the military pay for your move after you get out?
Yes, the military pays for one final move after you get out, within a time limit. Retirees have up to three years, and members separating with fewer than eight years generally have 180 days.
Do you need a down payment for a VA home loan?
No, you don’t need a down payment for a VA home loan. Most borrowers pay a one-time funding fee instead, though veterans receiving VA disability compensation are exempt.
Paying for your move yourself? Compare movers, containers, and trucks for your route before you book:
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
