Posted on Apr 2, 2018
What is the normal wait time for getting BAH (without dependents) approved?
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Im a long time gf of an E5, over 4 years, active duty Sailor. (I am aware that i am not a dependent, or have any say in the matter) but im very curious because he seems to be getting no where.
We live together in a rental home and pay our own rent, and have for a year and a half. Last October 2017, he applied for BAH, without dependents. January 2018, still no BAH. He was told to resubmit the application packet, as it " must have gotten lost.." he was told. He resubmitted again the same day, back in January.
Still nothing.
How long should he wait before he sees any BAH? Is this too long to wait or normal? He says he doesnt like inquiring constantly about it, he thinks it will just " take time". I hate bugging him about it, but i think something is missing or not being done correctly maybe?
We live together in a rental home and pay our own rent, and have for a year and a half. Last October 2017, he applied for BAH, without dependents. January 2018, still no BAH. He was told to resubmit the application packet, as it " must have gotten lost.." he was told. He resubmitted again the same day, back in January.
Still nothing.
How long should he wait before he sees any BAH? Is this too long to wait or normal? He says he doesnt like inquiring constantly about it, he thinks it will just " take time". I hate bugging him about it, but i think something is missing or not being done correctly maybe?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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There is more to this story.
On it's face, I would say that the Sailor here is not being very diligent in following up on this with his Chain-of-Command. BAH is not hard to get, assuming all criteria are met. There is no reason why the CoC would deny a packet in a qualifying situation.
I CAN think of reasons why he might not be pushing this issue very hard.
I think it is time to have a frank talk with him as to what the deal is.
On it's face, I would say that the Sailor here is not being very diligent in following up on this with his Chain-of-Command. BAH is not hard to get, assuming all criteria are met. There is no reason why the CoC would deny a packet in a qualifying situation.
I CAN think of reasons why he might not be pushing this issue very hard.
I think it is time to have a frank talk with him as to what the deal is.
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1SG (Join to see)
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - Nope, I read you. You were picking up what I was putting down.
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Shayna O
Yeah i get ya loud and clear. Im not sure what that has to do with our relationship if he is already on a year long lease. Its our second year in it. I agree, who slacks on money? Hence why im asking if he should push or wait
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1SG (Join to see)
Shayna O - YOU should push.
From what you describe, I wouldn't find that answer satisfactory.
The gears of paperwork drive slowly, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
From what you describe, I wouldn't find that answer satisfactory.
The gears of paperwork drive slowly, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
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Shayna O
1SG ( anonymous)
I figured thats what you meant. And no, thats not the case. He has been on a yearly lease going on 2 years now.
Bottom line, im trying to figure out who is slacking, the Navy admin or my bf or both. I take ANYTHING to do with the military with a grain of salt. I know better
I figured thats what you meant. And no, thats not the case. He has been on a yearly lease going on 2 years now.
Bottom line, im trying to figure out who is slacking, the Navy admin or my bf or both. I take ANYTHING to do with the military with a grain of salt. I know better
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Your bf is in the Navy then? You are right. Every situation is different and so is every member of the military different. He might have faith in the system and feels like if he keeps asking it is like begging. If he is not receiving what he was told is entitled to, he should find out why he is not getting it. The military is not above giving somebody the run around and just like civilians, there are good Human resource Offices and bad. He has to push for answers. I worked in Navy Human Resources and ultimately the battle is his, they won't divulge information to you unfortunately.
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PO1 Rick Serviss
Absolutely ask more questions and push. His pay is his responsibility. In other words if I screw up your pay it's your fault because you should know how much you are supposed to get. It's bs because a Sailor doesn't know all the rules. He should talk to his chain of command and let them know what is going on and ask them to talk to his HR.
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Shayna O
Exactly what i told him! Thank you so much, this is very helpful. And yes, he doesnt know the rules and much is he said she said, this is why i was trying to help out by asking here
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PO3 (Join to see)
What PO1 Serviss said, he has to go to his command admin office and find out whats going on with his paperwork. Unfortunately, admin has a reputation of losing paperwork and all he can do is resubmit and check in with them often to check on the status.
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LCpl Ferdinand Hughes
it depends on where he is stationed at. Each base has their own rules to get Single BAH. Where is he stationed?
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Shayna O BAH is not automatically authorized for a E5, not sure what the Navy Regs say, but on the Army side for an idea, unless on post single enlisted quarters are filled POST WIDE at 95% Enlisted single BAH is not typically authorized. They can be exceptions made, for duty position that the commander is willing to make the call for, or quality of life issues, and other reasons, but your dealing with not just a application for BAH though the usual chain of command, there will need to be a statement of non availability from the post housing office (or more likely, a statement from them that says housing is available) and then an exception to policy letter endorsed from a senior commander ...what level commander that takes is a Navy reg and a post commander deal..If for instance the policy requires it to be requested at the unit level, then endorsed by the next two higher commanders ending on the garrison commanders desk for approval or disapproval it could be several months wait... and senior commanders often only touch "that pile" of paperwork once, maybe twice a month
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PO3 (Join to see)
Anytime, I find it interesting at how different each branch of service does things.
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Shayna O
Thank you, each branch and duty station are different. I was hoping to hear from Navy guys because of that reason
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SGM Erik Marquez
You are exactly right and for that reason understand the edges you get back may not get be completely accurate and less it’s from somebody at the specific duty station your boyfriend is at
Even better if it’s the same unit as the process starts with the local commander
Even better if it’s the same unit as the process starts with the local commander
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He may never get it... Did he get an exception to policy memorandum? If not, a single E5 isn't getting BAH.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
No I know that. Yeah, I definitely think that what we are both talking about is getting lost in translation lol
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PO3 (Join to see)
It is true that theres space on the ship for everybody attached to that command. However, we are not expected to live on the ship while in our home port. To put it simply, it would be miserable. E-4 and below are granted a barracks room while E-5s and above are entitled to BAH since barracks are often times at capacity or near it. Now, i did say that E-4s are granted a barracks room, but if their time in the navy is at or above 4 years, then they can submit a BAH package through their chain of command and through housing and move out of the barracks.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
That was my understanding from my son's experience. He went though a divorce while E-5 assigned to LDH6 and all it did was to change his BAH rate. They did not ask him to give up his off post quarters.
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The "Normal Wait Time" is whenever the military feels like.
BAH is for dependents and for caring for dependents. Without that, the military isn't going to rush to get any paperwork started. Typically, as long as he isn't married, he's supposed to be maintaining a barracks room. The only time the military is going to authorize BAH for single military is when you're a SNCO or Officer, or the barracks is at 100+% capacity which it almost never is.
The fact that he's living out in town on his own dime is no one's problem except his, because without BAH, that means it's not Command Approved.
The only thing he's missing is a wedding ring on that finger...
The "Normal Wait Time" is whenever the military feels like.
BAH is for dependents and for caring for dependents. Without that, the military isn't going to rush to get any paperwork started. Typically, as long as he isn't married, he's supposed to be maintaining a barracks room. The only time the military is going to authorize BAH for single military is when you're a SNCO or Officer, or the barracks is at 100+% capacity which it almost never is.
The fact that he's living out in town on his own dime is no one's problem except his, because without BAH, that means it's not Command Approved.
The only thing he's missing is a wedding ring on that finger...
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1SG (Join to see)
Shayna O - Then he has quarters available - his rack on the ship.
This situation will not change unless he gets a shore assignment or you become a dependent.
This situation will not change unless he gets a shore assignment or you become a dependent.
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Shayna O
I understand this. And my question was not " is he eligible" for BAH.
Its how long does the average application process take and if its taking abnormally long, should he push. I have no say in any of this, its his fight. But i want to know for myself.
Its how long does the average application process take and if its taking abnormally long, should he push. I have no say in any of this, its his fight. But i want to know for myself.
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Cpl Justin Goolsby
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - And I literally said 3 sentences in "The only time the military is going to authorize BAH for single military is when you're a SNCO or Officer, or the barracks is at 100+% capacity which it almost never is."
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From what I know, your BF will not be receiving BAH unless his unit authorizes their E5's to live off post. He would receive the "without dependents" rate in that case.
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Shayna O
Paperwork has been submitted twice already. He plans to ask about it more when he returns from being underway. Theres always a paper trail
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PO1 Rick Serviss
Shayna, the Navy is different than any other service. We follow the policy of the base Commanding Officer. While there could be different rules for married and single, policies are generally more relaxed than the other services that don't have to deal with confined, closed in spaces that serving on a ship involves. It's hard to say what the situation is, we are only hearing one side of it which is what you are being told by your bf. No one can say the HR Office (we call them PSDs) is to blame for the delay or his Chain of Command or him. This is kind of a little muddy.
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Shayna O
I think its just taking a very long time to be approved, and we are both getting frustrated. I cannot help on my end. We dont want to be forced to marry just for bennies, ya know? What if he was waiting to pay his rent since he signed his lease, expecting to get BAH right away? Good thing we can pay our rent, but its tight.
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Shayna O
Update, apparrently the app is going up the chain, however that works. Its tough for him to talk to anyone because the ship is busy with numerous back to back underways and inspections.
As long as its being worked on.
As long as its being worked on.
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Shayna O Single enlisted live in barracks unless there is not space in the barracks and BAH is approved. Why does your boyfriend think that he will receive BAH?
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Shayna O
He is attached to a ship and has a berthing space on that ship. He uses it for underways and duty days. All other single E5 attached to his ship and above, live in town. I understand all situations are unique.
He was told by his command, when he was promoted last year, to apply for BAH. They know his situation. Just trying to figure out if we should bother with it or what. Not sure why he keeps being told he qualifies if he doesnt. And i understand what is " told" isnt always true, hence me asking here
He was told by his command, when he was promoted last year, to apply for BAH. They know his situation. Just trying to figure out if we should bother with it or what. Not sure why he keeps being told he qualifies if he doesnt. And i understand what is " told" isnt always true, hence me asking here
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Sgt (Join to see)
Shayna O - If he was told to apply by his command, he needs to talk to them and find out why it is not being approved.
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It has to wait till the money is there, and others are probably ahead of him
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He probably will not get BAH as only married soldiers are entitled to BAH. If he's not getting it already that means he has a barracks room in his name and that is the military fulfilling their obligation to house him.
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SPC David Willis
TSgt Joshua Duplin - I should have joined the AF... Ha my cousin is in the AF right now and he never ceases to remind me what his quarters are like.
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SPC David Willis
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - True I couldn't remember if it was SSG or SFC that qualed for BAH. Knew a SGT wouldn't be automatically qualed though.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
TSgt Joshua Duplin - You are correct. Navy E-5's normally get BAH as do E-4's with over 4 years TIS. Army and Marines start at E-6 unless suitable quarters are unavailable.
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