If someone has parents who are dependents, do they get a separate BAH from a BAH you get when married?

2021-09-11T00:36:32-04:00

Hello RallyPoint community,

I know for sure that you're a married in Military you get a BAH for housing if living outside a duty station.

Case A: I was just thinking about a situation when I am still Single and my parents for some reason unable to work/make money/can't financially support themselves. Let's say I make them as dependents, do they receive any sort of rent money for whatever house they live in?

Case B: Let's say Case A situation gets approved and my parents receive some kind of BAH and able to afford their place monthly. And now I am married to my spouse, do I get another separate BAH for myself and spouse other than the one my parents currently receive?

Bottom line: None of the cases are happening to myself but it's something Soldiers and leaders should know?! in case worst things happen to our life.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Sep 11 at 2021 12:55 AM

2021-09-11T00:55:57-04:00

Claiming a parent as a dependent is difficult to do. Once the parent[s] are declared dependents, you received BAH for you and the dependents [It use to be assumed that the parent[s] would live with you]. Should you marry, you GET THE SAME AMOUNT for BAH. The military is not a Social Services Agency. My recommendation is to see what assistance, hypothetically, your parent[s] can receive locally and in the state they live in.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2021 12:58 AM

2021-09-11T00:58:43-04:00

It’s just BAH. There is no difference if it’s a Spouse or parent. As long as they are on your DEERS. You only get one BAH. If you have your parents and wife in your DEERS you will only get BAH once and it will be where you are at if you are living in the states. So, if you PCS to a base with low BAH don’t think you can afford your place and your parents place if they don’t want to live with you being your dependent.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2021 6:55 AM

2021-09-11T06:55:15-04:00

Your dependents would not receive anything to live separate from you. You would receive "with dependents" bah which is a flat rate based on your duty station.

There are some exceptions, like, if the military moves you on orders and you cannot take any of your dependents with you, you may (with a request for an exception) still receive bah for the place you're leaving, but you would not get anything for your new location.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2021 9:16 AM

2021-09-11T09:16:21-04:00

When you get BAH, you either get BAH with dependants or BAH without dependants. It doesn't increase even if the dependant count increases.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 11 at 2021 11:09 AM

2021-09-11T11:09:33-04:00

There is BAH, which is for the SM that lives off post by need or choice and who is not married with no dependents. Then there is BAH w/ Dependents. You get one amount no matter if you have one dependent or 20. The amount is by your Rank and Location.