How does BAH work (I have an apartment with my name on the lease but I’m single no dependents)?

2018-01-07T01:01:36-05:00

I’m wondering if I’m eligible for BAH? Or maybe another assistant program? I was just introduced to BAH but as I’m reading up on it I’m confused is it just offered to people who are married or with dependents? Or with my situation am I eligible for it?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2018 1:17 AM

2018-01-07T01:17:58-05:00

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance prescribed by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed Service members equitable housing compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets within the United States when government quarters are not provided. A uniformed service member stationed outside the U.S., including U.S. territories and possessions, not furnished government housing, is eligible for Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)
.http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

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Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Jan 7 at 2018 7:12 AM

2018-01-07T07:12:49-05:00

As a single PV2, unless you are stationed where there is no barracks, you would not be eligible for BAH. Most posts have barracks for single soldiers up to E-6, although a few units allowed BAH to E-6 based on limited barracks space. Your unit should have assigned you a barracks room when you arrived. If not, get with you team leader and they should get you squared away. If not, work your way up the chain of command. Someone knows the answer to your question at your unit.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jan 7 at 2018 12:34 PM

2018-01-07T12:34:12-05:00

You are not going to get BAH. Plain and simple. As an E-2 with no dependents, you are not authorized BAH. You are issued a barracks room for this reason. Why on earth are you renting an apartment when you have a free room in the billets anyways? It is this kind of poor decision making that leads to guys getting hemmed up right quick and in a hurry. The only circumstance that will allow a single E-2 to receive any kind of BAH is if your command approves what is called an Exception to Policy. That being said, these usually only occur when the billets are full and they would probably go to the E-5s and senior E-4s long before an E-2 would ever get this memo.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 7 at 2018 1:52 PM

2018-01-07T13:52:44-05:00

Damn near absolutely NOT. If the Army wants an SM particularly lower pay grades to have something it would be issued to you. Barracks are built and maintained just for lower enlisted, cause you normally can't afford to live off post, unless it's a dump. Same for BAS (meals). Uncle Sugar, provides you with free rooms and meals for this reason. Also in my units we had alert periods that required you to be in the company within 1 hour of the call out.- It was tough living in quarters on Post with dependents sometimes, and sometimes, folks getting BAH and off-post got into trouble for being late. The only way for single folks to get BAH, is for the billets to be completely full, and no other room in the unit.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2018 1:55 PM

2018-01-07T13:55:51-05:00

Why are you renting an apartment rather than living in the free barracks?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2018 1:57 PM

2018-01-07T13:57:47-05:00

Why don't you live in the barracks?

Response by SPC Brett Curry made Jan 8 at 2018 10:16 AM

2018-01-08T10:16:32-05:00

Move back into the barracks. You're Never going to get BAH BEING single let alone a E2 salary.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2018 2:07 PM

2018-01-08T14:07:01-05:00

Barracks for you,plain and simple.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 11:21 PM

2018-02-08T23:21:52-05:00

You are eligible for bah as long as the apartment is under your name.