Should I be getting bah if my dual military husband is stationed overseas?

2022-07-17T10:24:54-04:00

My husband and I got married in may, we both already had our orders so we could not be colocated. I am in md and he is in Bahrain. When I got to my command I was told I need to find a place so I can get bah because I’m married. I was told that by my ync. He went on leave and then I was told by 2 other chiefs that I am not eligible for bah and must stay in the barracks. They told me I cannot get bah because my husband is overseas and would get oha. I’m very confused and I feel like I should be getting bah. Who’s correct?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 17 at 2022 10:57 AM

2022-07-17T10:57:38-04:00

If they make you live "downtown" you should get BAH. You are separate people and each of you is eligible for BAH. His OHA has nothing to do with you right now. If/when you have children, you need to decide who will be their sponsor and that person will get BAH with dependents rate.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 17 at 2022 11:53 AM

2022-07-17T11:53:18-04:00

If you and your spouse have no dependents, another service member is not a dependent, and you are not stationed at the same location, you should be treated like a single service member. That means that your service can either provide you quarters or issue non-availability and let you live on the economy. In that case you would get BAH for a single person. If you have on post quarters available, then your Chiefs are right, you do not qualify for BAH.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2022 12:58 PM

2022-07-18T12:58:43-04:00

"In general, dual military couples without dependents each receive single BAH. A military member cannot get BAH with dependents unless they have a dependent. Another military member cannot be considered a dependent since they are entitled to their own benefits. If there is a child or other dependent involved then the rules change."

Dual military living apart:

'If dual military service members are not stationed together, and they do not have dependents, each will be treated as a single service member for purposes of BAH.

If they are otherwise eligible to live off base they will be eligible for single BAH. "

https://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/basic-allowance-for-housing/dual-military-bah.html

https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Allowances/BAH_Types/

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqbah.cfm

"A member assigned to permanent duty within the 50 United States, who is not furnished Gov't housing, is eligible for BAH, based on the member's rank, dependency status, and permanent duty station zip code. A member stationed overseas (except in Hawaii and Alaska), including U.S. territories and possessions, who is not furnished Gov't housing, is eligible for an Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) based on the member's dependency status. If a member with dependents (except for a member paying child support) is serving an unaccompanied overseas tour, the member is eligible for BAH at the with-dependent rate, based on the dependent's U.S. residence zip code, plus FSH at the OCONUS PDS, if the member is not provided Gov't housing overseas."

Basically if you qualify for BAH where you are at, you'll get it at a single BAH rate - not with dependent rate. But if you're required to live in the barracks, then you won't be authorized BAH.

I think it's up to your commander's policy but if they are requiring married SMs separated from their spouse to live in barracks, you live in the barracks and don't get BAH.

Dual Military BAH

When you have two military members married to each other, the rules regarding Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) can get a little confusing. There is one general rule, but then there are all sorts of variations depending on variables. In general, dual military couples without dependents each receive single BAH.A military member cannot get BAH with dependents unless they have a dependent. Another military member cannot be considered a dependent...

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 18 at 2022 8:01 PM

2022-07-18T20:01:50-04:00

I was stationed on a Hardship Tour to Bahrain and my wife was in California. The Army paid my wife BHA while I was authorized TDY, HDP, Hazardous Duty and Per Diem for the 18 months. Basically all my pay went to my wife and children while I received the paid out monies for TDY/HDP/HD/PD to my overseas command so I could rent an apartment, eat and transportation.
That was in the late 1980s so I expect things have changed - especially the amount paid out to the overseas part. BHA to my wife was the same as everyone else.