Do You Continue to Get BAH While Deployed?

Basic Allowance for Housing Fundamentals

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) represents a significant financial benefit provided to service members. Its primary purpose is to help offset the costs of housing when government-provided living quarters are not available. This allowance is a non-taxable income, meaning it is not subject to federal or state income taxes, which enhances its financial value to recipients.

BAH rates are carefully determined by the Department of Defense, reflecting the median housing costs in specific geographic locations across the United States. These rates account for rental expenses and utility costs, such as electricity, heat, and water. Factors influencing a service member’s individual BAH rate include their pay grade, duty station location, and dependent status.

Service members receive either a “with dependents” or “without dependents” BAH rate, reflecting differing housing needs. The “with dependents” rate is generally higher, acknowledging the increased housing requirements for families. These rates are subject to annual review and adjustment, typically updated on January 1st each year, to ensure they accurately reflect current housing market conditions.

BAH Eligibility While Deployed

Service members generally continue to receive BAH while deployed. This continuation is predicated on the service member maintaining a residence for which they remain financially responsible, or if they have dependents who continue to reside in a qualifying location. The allowance helps cover ongoing housing expenses, ensuring that financial stability is maintained for their household during their absence.

This policy prevents service members from incurring dual housing costs for a permanent residence and a temporary deployed situation. This allows families to maintain their homes and provides peace of mind regarding housing security.

To continue receiving BAH during deployment, service members must not be occupying government quarters at no cost at their deployed location. If government housing is provided at the deployed location, the BAH may cease or be reduced to prevent duplicate benefits.

Common Situations Affecting BAH During Deployment

Deployment circumstances can influence a service member’s BAH. For instance, an unaccompanied tour means the service member deploys without their family, who typically remain at the previous duty station. In such cases, BAH usually continues based on the permanent duty station’s housing costs, allowing the family to maintain their home.

For an accompanied tour, where dependents relocate with the service member, the BAH rate may adjust to reflect the housing costs of the new duty station. This ensures the allowance aligns with the actual housing market where the family is now residing. Any change in dependent status while deployed, such as gaining or losing a dependent, necessitates prompt reporting to the appropriate administrative office. Such changes can directly impact the BAH rate, as the allowance is calculated differently for those with and without dependents.

If dependents relocate to a new area during deployment, the BAH rate may be re-evaluated based on the new location’s housing costs. This adjustment ensures the allowance remains appropriate for the family’s current living expenses. Should a service member or their family decide to give up their primary residence entirely while the service member is deployed, the BAH may cease, as there is no longer a qualifying housing expense to cover.

BAH protection means if rates decrease, service members generally retain their previous higher rate as long as they remain in the same location and eligibility conditions do not change. For temporary duty (TDY) assignments that occur during a deployment, BAH typically continues from the permanent duty station. However, a permanent change of station (PCS) order issued during a deployment would result in a new BAH calculation based on the housing costs of the new permanent duty station or the location where dependents reside.