Does your spouse have to live with you to get BAH?

2019-01-03T02:10:39-05:00

I was wondering if you spouse have to live with you to get BAH or can they live in our home state?

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 3 at 2019 4:36 AM

2019-01-03T04:36:39-05:00

Don't know, but I do know that being a geographic bachelor is hard on a marriage. Most don't make it.

I don't know the reason you are considering it
_If you have kids, and don't want to disrupt their lives, the moves will give your kids a bigger picture of the America; possibly the world. My kids lived in Africa for two and a half years.
_If your wife's career is that good, support her and develop your own career in the same area.
_If your wife wants to live with Mom and Dad for emotional support, she may not be strong enough to be a military wife. They have to be leaders on their own and independent.

I do know that BAH NEVER covered the actual cost of living off-base. If your wife is going to maintain her own household in your home state, you are going to find out the hard way what a financial strain it is to maintain two households, most cannot.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 5:34 AM

2019-01-03T05:34:20-05:00

If your stationed state side and your spouse lives in there home state you only receive BAH for where your stationed at but you will not be able to maintain a barracks room. You will have to find a place off post.

Or

Like myself I did two years in Germany and I am currently in Korea. My wife and kids went back to California where we are from and I receive BAH from where she’s living.

But I will have to agree being separated is really hard on a marriage. I once receive divorce papers to Afghanistan. It’s really hard on marriages.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 7:29 AM

2019-01-03T07:29:37-05:00

I’m a Finance NCO and I can tell you that no your wife doesn’t have to live with you to get BAH. But as every mentioned below me, it is very hard on a marriage to be separated from your wife. For example my wife and I were separated for a while when I got to my first duty station. Eventually we talked it out and decided it was best for her to move with me. On the same note for your wife to have to uproot and leave everything she’s ever known behind is hard on a marriage as well. Weigh out all of your options and know what you’re getting into. I’m by no m and trying to talk you out of joining, but just know what comes with enlisting. Discuss everything with your wife and come to a sound decision together.