How does BAH work?

2018-08-22T11:44:12-04:00

So lets say my BAH is 1200. I'm aware you have to be married. Do we pay for housing or is housing free and the 1200 is for like furniture and food and stuff.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2018 11:49 AM

2018-08-22T11:49:07-04:00

You do not have to be married to get BAH. Usually in the Army you get BAH once you make SSG (sometimes a SGT can get it if there's not enough room in the barracks). That's why there is the with and without dependent rate. Single soldiers SSG and above get the without dependent rate. If you have a dependent (spouse, kid or family member declared a dependent) you get the dependent rate.

Example: once I got promoted to SSG I got BAH at the w/o dependents rate when I PCSed to Ft Meade. After I got married in 2014, I got the with dependent rate. I still get the w/ dependent after my divorce because I have a child.

Now whenever you get BAH - that is your basic allowance for housing. Most people use it for rent/utilities. Also most people try to find an apartment lower than their BAH and then you have some money left over and you can use that for whatever.

Honestly you can use your BAH for whatever you want but it would benefit you to budget it for your rent/utilities.

BAS is for food.

Are you planning to get married? Are you in the military yet? I would recommend don't get married if you haven't yet especially if you're young and just joining.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 22 at 2018 1:10 PM

2018-08-22T13:10:02-04:00

1. BAH is Basic Allowance for Housing. 2. If you live on Post in quarters, then they will charge you 1200 to stay there. If you live off post, then whatever is left after you pay your rent is your to spend. Damn little is free in the world.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2018 3:30 PM

2018-08-22T15:30:53-04:00

I believe that BAH doesn't totally cover housing expense, but its assistance is measured by the number of dependents and many other like variables.

Response by LCpl Ferdinand Hughes made Aug 23 at 2018 10:32 AM

2018-08-23T10:32:50-04:00

There are different scenarios when it concerns BAH. You receive BAH when you live out in town to help offset the rent or mortgage, regardless of marital status. Being single, requires permission to live off base, usually a command decision and what branch of military you are in (everyone has different rules) Now, if you live in military housing, not the barracks (exception would be Geographical Bachelor) that BAH is automatically turned over to the housing office (you'll never see it in your pay) Now the second statement is true ONLY if you live/stationed OVERSEAS, you'll get MIHA. To types which is housing and the other for safety. you would receive OHA and not BAH.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 8:32 AM

2018-08-27T08:32:16-04:00

If you live on base housing is free, but you don‘t get BAH is my understanding. If you live off base your housing is relative to your regional cost of living.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2018 3:35 PM

2018-09-27T15:35:42-04:00

You pay for housing. However at least at my base utilities are included and the housing is reasonably priced.