How BAH Works If Your Spouse Lives in Another State

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) helps service members cover housing costs when government housing is unavailable. This allowance provides compensation based on local civilian housing markets. Understanding how BAH applies when a spouse resides in a different state is important for financial planning.

General Eligibility for Basic Allowance for Housing

Basic Allowance for Housing eligibility depends on three primary factors: the service member’s pay grade, dependency status, and duty station ZIP code. BAH rates are determined by surveying rental property costs in each geographic location, ensuring the allowance reflects local market conditions. This means rates in high-cost areas will be greater than those in low-cost areas.

BAH-With Dependents (BAH-W) is for service members with qualifying dependents. BAH-Differential (BAH-DIFF) is for service members in single-type government quarters authorized BAH solely for child support. While BAH is typically based on the service member’s duty station, not where dependents live, certain conditions can alter this.

BAH When Your Spouse Resides Elsewhere

When a civilian spouse lives in a different state or location than the service member’s permanent duty station (PDS), BAH-W is generally calculated based on the service member’s PDS ZIP code. However, exceptions allow the BAH rate to be based on the dependent’s location if approved as the “primary dependent location.” This authorization typically occurs under specific circumstances, such as a permanent change of station (PCS) where dependents do not move immediately, or in situations involving geographic bachelors or separate maintenance.

For instance, if dependents remain at a previous PDS or approved location within the continental U.S., Alaska, or Hawaii, the service member may be authorized BAH based on that dependent location. This requires specific approval from the Secretary of the Service concerned, often for reasons like a child requiring specialized medical attention unavailable at the PDS.

If the primary dependent location is different from the PDS, the BAH rate is usually based on the higher of the two locations only if authorized by regulation, such as in certain PCS situations. Otherwise, the BAH rate is typically tied to the service member’s PDS. To establish a spouse’s separate residence for BAH purposes, supporting documentation is often required. This documentation may include dependent travel orders or proof of residence at the separate location.

Special Considerations for Dual Military Couples

For dual military couples assigned to different duty stations or living apart, the BAH rules have distinct considerations. Each service member is generally authorized BAH based on their own duty station and dependency status. If both are eligible to live off base, they will each receive their own BAH.

When dependents are involved, only one service member can claim them for BAH-W purposes. The couple typically chooses which member claims the dependents, often the higher-ranking member, to maximize the allowance. The other service member receives BAH without dependents. Only one service member can claim the “with dependent” rate; the other receives the “without dependent” rate.

If dual military service members are stationed apart and do not have dependents, each is generally treated as a single service member for BAH purposes. They both receive BAH at the “without dependents” rate for their respective duty stations. If dependents reside at one of the locations, the service member with the dependents receives the “with dependents” rate for that location.

Ensuring Continued BAH Eligibility

Maintaining accurate Basic Allowance for Housing payments requires service members to promptly report any changes in dependent status. This includes marriage, divorce, the birth or death of a child, a spouse moving to a new location, or a spouse’s military status changing.

To support continued BAH eligibility, specific documentation may be required, particularly when a spouse lives in a different state. This documentation can include lease agreements, utility bills, marriage certificates, birth certificates, divorce decrees, or military orders related to dependent travel or changes in duty station. The military may periodically verify dependency information to ensure the accuracy of BAH payments. Accurate reporting prevents overpayments or underpayments, which can lead to administrative actions.