Do Married Military to Civ living on base get BAH and at what rate?

SSgt Paul Esquibel — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:08:06 -0400

Been out for 8 year and was never married to a civilian so unsure how this works. My daughter got out in Dec her husband is still in, they live on base at Seamore Johnson, I some bases changed where you pay rent/utilities vs it being all free. He's an E4 with more than 4 years with a line for Staff, does he still get BAS and since there are 2 of them and she's not working? Are their other program he would qualify for due to a single income?

Response by COL Randall C. made Mar 25 at 2024 7:22 PM

COL Randall C. — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:22:25 -0400

Eligibility for BAH is primarily determined if housing is provided to the servicemember by the government and possibly certain situations of the have dependents that don't live with them (even if housing is provided).

The rate is determined by the location (zip code) and if the service member has dependents*.

There are different rules that are used to determine who gets certain BAH rates if there are two military members are married to each other, but the eligibility criteria remains.

The employment status of the spouse has no effect on BAH but if he meets the eligibility, then he could qualify for Basic Needs Allowance*.
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* DoD 7000.14-R (Financial Management Regulation), Volume 7A, Chapter 26 (Housing Allowances) - https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/current/07a/07a_26.pdf
* BAH lookup - https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/
* https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/12/30/new-in-2023-allowance-will-help-low-income-military-families/

07a_26.pdf

Response by SSgt Paul Esquibel made Mar 25 at 2024 7:59 PM

SSgt Paul Esquibel — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:59:08 -0400

Sorry I meant BAS, does he still get BAS?

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 27 at 2024 10:52 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:52:18 -0400

Hey Paul, BAH w dependents is the same rate for the location regardless if the spouse is in or out of uniform. But BAH is taken by the housing folks for on base housing. But BAS should still be in effect.