Do I Get BAH While in Basic Training?
Understand your eligibility for military housing allowance (BAH) during basic training, and how family status impacts your financial support.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a financial provision designed to assist uniformed service members with their housing expenses. This allowance helps offset the cost of living in civilian housing markets when government-provided housing is not available. It serves as a significant component of military compensation, ensuring service members can secure suitable living arrangements.
Understanding Basic Allowance for Housing
Basic Allowance for Housing is a non-taxable allowance provided to military personnel stationed within the 50 U.S. states. It compensates service members for housing costs in civilian markets when they do not reside in government quarters. The amount of BAH depends on geographic duty location, pay grade, and whether they have dependents.
BAH rates are determined by surveying rental costs and utility expenses in nearly 300 civilian housing markets. The allowance is intended to cover approximately 95% of the combined rental and utility costs. BAH is based on rental market data and does not factor in homeownership costs like mortgage payments or property taxes.
Eligibility for BAH During Basic Training
Eligibility for BAH during basic training varies based on a recruit’s dependent status. Recruits without dependents typically do not receive BAH during basic training because they are provided government housing, such as barracks. In some cases, a partial BAH may be provided to service members without dependents living in government quarters.
Conversely, recruits with dependents are eligible for BAH during basic training. This allowance supports their families’ housing needs. For BAH purposes, a dependent includes a spouse or unmarried children under a certain age. Recruits with dependents must verify their dependent status through official channels to ensure eligibility.
Calculating and Receiving BAH
For eligible recruits, BAH is calculated based on the dependent’s residential location, not the recruit’s basic training facility. The amount also considers the recruit’s pay grade, typically E-1 for new recruits, which may advance to E-2 during training. BAH rates are adjusted annually, effective January 1st.
BAH is typically disbursed with regular military paychecks, issued twice a month. As an allowance, BAH is not subject to federal income tax, providing a significant financial benefit. This tax-exempt status means the full allowance can be applied directly towards housing costs.