Posted on Feb 25, 2014

BAH versus "International" OHA

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I got married en route to my current assignment here in Korea. My wife is a non-US citizen and has yet to receive a US visa. I'm receiving $0.30 for BAH. I've talked to Finance and Legal and both agencies have told me that what I'm getting for BAH is all I'm entitled to. My wife is staying with her parents while I'm here and paying for mortgage, but since we're not "renting" I'm told we're not entitled to squat. I've been looking up and down the web trying to get answers, but I haven't found anything helpful. Any light you can shed on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Posted 11 y ago

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Responses: 4

CW2 (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

The only way you would be entitled to BAH in your situation would be to either have the deed to the house or rental agreement with you or your wife's name or both on it of which is being occupied by your wife. I had the same issue when I was in Korea back in 2005. Once I had the deed and marriage certificate in hand, I was good to go. That of course was turned in with all the finance paperwork to go along with it. Hope everything works out for you.

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

When I got married to a Korean back in 2001, I had lots of issues too. While its not the same as your situation, it is kind of similar. But I would like to help any other Soldier out that may be in the situation I was in. I was authorized to live off post as a PFC/SPC by my unit however I was told to maintain a barracks room since back then Command Sponsorship was only for certain ranks/duty positions. I did receive partial BAH which was about 450$ a month along with COLA (about 300$ ?).

It was kind of funny when my units barracks got upgraded I no longer was assigned a barracks room and when I went to mention it to the CoC they told me if they gave me a room then I would have to live in it. Looking back, I should have probably pushed the issue more since they really didn't provide me a room.

Long story short, it may be possible to receive partial BAH but probably wont receive any OHA. But I don't see any reason why you should not be able to receive full BAH for your wife, how is it any different from Soldiers who have family living back in the States while the service member are in Korea.

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SFC (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Where is the house you are paying a mortgage for? I am about to PCS OCONUS, and my wife and I have been told that we will get OHA to cover the rent at the new duty station (up to the max OHA rate), assuming we live on the economy.

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

You will get OHA because you were married when you got your orders.

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

My wife's in the Philippines. She's paying for the mortgage for her parents' house. I mean, if there's a reg out there stating clear as day that we shouldn't get anything, maybe I might rest easy. But it just doesn't seem right that I won't get anything just because of our current situation.

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

DFAS can give you the reg because I cant remember off the top of my head. But you came to Korea single orders and you will not get paid. Why should the US Government pay for your mother/father inlaws house? We had a Staff Sergeant go to jail because he claimed BAH in the Philippines (there is more to it but) so be careful.

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SFC Miguel Ortiz Mercado

11 y

My experience having a house in SC and currently being in Germany, is that unless you are living out on the economy you will not receive any housing allowance regardless if you own one in the states. If you do live on the economy you will receive OHA for the exact amount of rent for the quarters. i.e rent is 900 euros warm, then your OHA will be 900 euros to the landlord, you will receive a utilities stipen monthly, to cover cost of oil/electric cost which are pretty significant, but that fluctuates with the market/conversion rates. If you have any more questions let me know.

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BAH versus "International" OHA

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