BAH and divorce and remarry on active duty?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 13:11:12 -0400

I got divorced last December and got remarried a few days after the divorce was final, I have short time left in the army and my new spouse had awesome health insurance so I never enrolled her into deers. My question is will I have to pay back the BAH I have already received since the divorce if Dfas finds out?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 19 at 2019 1:23 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 13:23:31 -0400

I think you are confused. BAH is Basic Allowance Housing. As long as you didn't get BAH with Dependents before you were remarried, your fine. There is no requirement that you sign you wife up for insurance that I know about, but why not since it is essentially "free". I believe what you really want to know is will you have to pay back your BAH because you didn't report your divorce being finalized nor told them you got remarried.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 19 at 2019 2:09 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 14:09:46 -0400

You are actually he few days between final decree of divorce and re-marriage. You better check in SRB for her and the insurance

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2019 2:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 14:38:19 -0400

If you continue to draw BAH after your divorce then it is fraud. If you don't disclose it, you can be charged and go to military prison. BAH fraud is one of the most commonly prosecuted offenses overseas.
If you enroll your new wife in DEERS and claim BAH for back to when you married, you should be good.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2019 2:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 14:48:58 -0400

Your info is kind of vague, but it sounds like you may owe a few days of prorated BAH back to the Gov.

DEERS and DFAS are two separate entities, and DFAS is who you will owe.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2019 4:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 16:38:44 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member submit the paperwork to correct it and enroll your current spouse into DEERS. This will cover you and ensure that you get the right benefits as so does your current spouse. According to the Army your ex is supposed to be covered and will continue to receive benefits until you update DEERS. Your wife doesn't need to utilize TRICARE, but you never know what may happen. So update DEERS.

Also, just as important is update your DD93 and SGLV as I am sure you don't want your life insurance going to your ex instead of your wife.