Ask An Army Spouse: BAH or Housing Allowance

Last updated November 24, 2022

BAH After Getting Married

Applying for BAH

Hi! I am getting married to a soldier in about 2 months. How long will it take to get our BAH after we get married so I can move to his duty station? (I’m in TN and he`s in TX) And what steps do we need to take to receive our BAH? Thanks. 🙂

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As soon as you get married, he needs to take the marriage certificate to finance to update his records. In addition, you will need to get your military ID and be enrolled in DEERS.

Typically, BAH will go into effect on the next month’s paycheck and will be back paid to the date of your marriage. Congratulations!

BAH When Not Living with Soldier

I have been married for 3 months, and my husband keeps telling me that he is not getting BAH for being married. I live in a different place than him. He is at Fort Bragg. He says if he gets it, they take it for his bills. I thought the money was for me and the kids’ housing. He won’t tell me who his SGT is. I have nothing as I gave up my job because he said we were moving there. What do I do?

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BAH is given to married soldiers to provide a place for them to live with their families. If they choose to live on post, then housing will be provided for “free,” but they will not receive any BAH.

If the soldier lives on post, they are not technically receiving any money every month. However, they should also not be living in on-post housing alone. If he is living off post, then he is receiving BAH.

You need to find a way to contact his chain of command to let them know that he is not supporting you or his kids. It is possible they can help through an allotment.

Why have you not moved to be there with him?

Geographic Bachelor Status

Hi, my husband and I have been married for two years and have been together for five. He decided to join the army against my wishes because I am unable to go with him because I cannot travel for medical reasons and am currently involved in a long school program while receiving my medical treatments. So now I am stuck living with my mom and am by myself. My medical condition does not allow me to sit in a car for more than 30 minutes and flying is out of the question. We are trying to figure out how BAH works when a spouse is not living with the husband. I know it goes by where his duty station is, but would they be able to give him a room in the barracks and let him keep some of the BAH, or would he be better off renting a room in a house off base? Please help; no one can answer this one for us.

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It is possible, due to your medical conditions that he could be assigned geographical bachelor status with the Army. The Army supposedly ended this program, at least in an official capacity, but it still exists in some circumstances.

He would need to talk to his chain of command. His ability to stay in the barracks would depend on his rank (usually lower than E-6) and available space.

Ultimately, it is up to his chain of command.

Housing Allowance During Basic Training

I recently enlisted in the Army, and am going into BCT at the end of May. I’ve read all over the Internet that a soldier with dependents receives BAH while at BCT, but I haven’t found anything that specifically lays it out as to how much. I’ve found nothing on an actual military or government-run website. My recruiter doesn’t know for sure because he very rarely gets married recruits, and I’m trying to avoid going to and bothering his superiors. Any help?

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Yes, married soldiers will receive BAH in basic training. While you are in training, BAH will be based on your rank and the zip code where your dependents live.

When you go to basic training, be sure to take the appropriate paperwork so your pay will be set up correctly (marriage certificate and birth certificates for all children under 18). If applicable, you may also be required to take a copy of your rental agreement or lease.

BAH When ETSing

I have a question that needs to be answered to the best of someone’s ability. I was just wondering; my husband is currently ETSing out of the Army. We are about 3 weeks from going home, so it is coming close, but we were wondering when we will receive our BAH again because I know that we should receive it 1 last time in March’s payday.  So how soon will we receive the BAH after we leave here?

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You should continue to receive pay on schedule as long as he is considered on active duty. If he is taking terminal leave, for instance, he will continue to be paid as he always has until his official ETS date.

His final paycheck will take longer than normal as they review his financial records to ensure his final paycheck is accurate. In my experience, getting a final paycheck after ETS takes anywhere from four to six weeks.

Those who are retiring tend to get their final paycheck quicker than those who are discharging before retirement age.

Keep in mind, it’s always possible during the final review, they will find other money that is owed, and that will come out of his final paycheck.

Good luck with ETSing!

BAH at Lower Enlisted Ranks

Hi Stacey!

My fiance has recently decided to join the Army and will be off to basic soon. We plan on getting married before AIT, and I most definitely want to go with him to his assigned post after training. His father, a Veteran, told us that the military would most likely not cover my housing and living expenses while he is a low rank. He mentioned command sponsorship?

Thanks in advance! And btw, marriedtothearmy.com is by far the most helpful and informative site I’ve come across. Amazing!

*****

Thank you!!

The military will cover housing with BAH while he is training (rank, zip code, and dependent status determines the payment) if you are married. As long as you are married, BAH continues after training.

He will also receive a separation allowance during training and BAS (food allowance) after training is complete if he is married.

You will only need command sponsorship if he is assigned overseas. Hope this helps!

Choosing to Live Off Post

Hi! My husband is currently a reserve ARMY MP. He is now going active (by choice) We are unsure of where we are going yet, as his request was just approved. My question is, if a space IS available on base, are we allowed to say “no thank you” without losing our BAH? I know they will move us but do we have a choice to live off base? Thanks!

*****
As a married soldier, he should have the option to choose to live off-post. The only exception would be some overseas posts requiring families to be on post unless the soldier is of a certain rank.

If you choose to live on post, you trade BAH for on-post housing. If you choose to live off post, you receive BAH to help cover housing costs.

Good luck with the move!

Not Moving With YOUR Soldier When On Orders

My husband graduates BCT in Aug and then goes to AIT until December. He and I have talked it over, and as of now, I have decided to stay at our home for a little while after he goes to his duty station. He wants me to stay at my job for a while so we can get our debt paid off. My question is, do I have to go if I am on his orders for his duty station? And also, I plan on staying home no longer than a year, so when I do decide to move, will I be able to move to his base with him?

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You do not have to move with him. But realize that he will only receive a housing allowance to pay for one household.

You will be able to move with him whenever you would like. Whether the Army will pay for the move depends on whether you are on his orders and if he uses his moving allowance when moving to the post.

Your best bet is to contact the transportation office to find out about your particular situation and if there is an expiration date for the move. The orders often state how long he has to move household goods with expenses being covered by the Army.