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I have PCS’ed recently and I continue to get the old BAH pay rate before 2018. I have been getting paid an X amount BAH since 2016 and then PCS’ed to a different duty station zip code where the rate is the same. Does my BAH rate drop to the new rate if I get promoted?
Human Resources
42A: Human Resources Specialist
BAH
AGR
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 3
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What should have happened is you should have received the rate for the new duty station. You'll need to go see the S-1 and get that rectified before the pay discrepancy grows too large.
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SFC (Join to see)
1SG, I was getting paid $x amount prior to 2018 change. I was in the duty station zip code and then after 2018 PCS'ed to another duty station with a different zip code. However, BAH rates at both places is the same. Since I've been getting the BAH rate that is the same as the new duty station zip code, "BAH rate protection" applies. So I continue to get the same BAH rate as prior to 2018. My question is that will my rate drop to the new one (post 2018 the rate at both places has dropped. Please see the below link for references:
https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqbah.cfm#Q9
https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/perdiem/BAH-Primer.pdf
https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqbah.cfm#Q9
https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/perdiem/BAH-Primer.pdf
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1SG (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - You should stay at the rate you are, as rate protection would apply in this situation.
As stated in your reference, promotion wouldn't reduce your entitlement, but reduction would.
Good question. It wasn't clear initially what your situation was.
As stated in your reference, promotion wouldn't reduce your entitlement, but reduction would.
Good question. It wasn't clear initially what your situation was.
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I'm a little confused here. Are you saying that in 2016 you were getting paid rate A, moved in 2018 and instead of getting paid rate B (a lower amount) you kept getting paid at Rate A? Further, you are wondering if this rate will change over if you get promoted?
To walk this through, rates change based on your rank, dependents, and physical location. When you PCS, the rate you are paid for BAH should change based on the new locality rate. If you are promoted it would change as well.
If you were being paid $1000 per month at your first station as a SGT, and the rate for a SGT at your new unit is $900, then you owe the government that extra amount you were paid. And rest assured they will catch it eventually and take it back all at once effective to the actual change in location (or eligibility). Most likely when you get promoted they will catch this and although a SSG might get more money, you'll also have to pay back any difference between your date of PCS and the date the discrepancy is discovered.
When you have a debt like this, the Army will take the entire amount from your paycheck in a lump sum up to your entire take home pay amount. If after getting a pay check for $0 you still owe money, they will take the rest out of your next paycheck or paychecks. Get with S-1 to fix this now, if this is a really large amount of money you owe finance will often work with you to do a repayment plan if you come to them in advance. Just in case though, make sure you have some money set aside now, just in case they catch this today and take the repayment from your next paycheck.
To walk this through, rates change based on your rank, dependents, and physical location. When you PCS, the rate you are paid for BAH should change based on the new locality rate. If you are promoted it would change as well.
If you were being paid $1000 per month at your first station as a SGT, and the rate for a SGT at your new unit is $900, then you owe the government that extra amount you were paid. And rest assured they will catch it eventually and take it back all at once effective to the actual change in location (or eligibility). Most likely when you get promoted they will catch this and although a SSG might get more money, you'll also have to pay back any difference between your date of PCS and the date the discrepancy is discovered.
When you have a debt like this, the Army will take the entire amount from your paycheck in a lump sum up to your entire take home pay amount. If after getting a pay check for $0 you still owe money, they will take the rest out of your next paycheck or paychecks. Get with S-1 to fix this now, if this is a really large amount of money you owe finance will often work with you to do a repayment plan if you come to them in advance. Just in case though, make sure you have some money set aside now, just in case they catch this today and take the repayment from your next paycheck.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG, I was getting paid rate A prior to 2018. The new rate after 2018 dropped. Since my both duty station zip codes BAH rates are/were the same, I got protected by "BAH rate protection". I want to hear from my fellow service members if that is really true. This question is actually for 42A's. I also heard that once promoted, I will get the BAH for the next rank but at the current BAH rate. Wanted to share others experience.
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SSG Thomas Trutt
It should only drop if you get demoted not promoted. If you are promoted you will get the rate for the new rank if higher. If you are in some kind of situation where the rate for the new rank under the 2018 bah table is less than you are currently paid then BAH protection remains in effect.
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