How Does BAH Work for Dual Military?

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a non-taxable allowance provided to service members to help offset the costs of housing in the civilian market when government quarters are not available. This financial support is calculated based on the service member’s duty station, pay grade, and dependency status. For couples where both individuals are service members, commonly referred to as dual military, the rules for determining and receiving BAH have specific considerations. This article explains how BAH is determined and paid for dual military couples.

Fundamentals of Dual Military BAH

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are determined by several factors, including the service member’s geographic duty location, their pay grade, and whether they have qualifying dependents. These rates are designed to cover a percentage of the average housing costs, including utilities, for specific areas within the United States. BAH is not intended to cover all housing costs, but rather to provide equitable compensation based on local civilian housing markets.

For married service members, BAH rules are more nuanced. Generally, a military member cannot claim another military member as a dependent, as each service member is entitled to their own benefits. If a dual military couple resides together without other qualifying dependents, each service member typically receives BAH at the “without dependents” rate for their respective pay grade and duty station.

If a dual military couple has qualifying dependents, such as children, only one service member can claim the dependents and receive the “with dependents” rate. The other service member will then receive the “without dependents” BAH rate. The decision of which service member claims the dependents is often based on which individual has the higher pay grade, as this typically results in a higher BAH amount for the “with dependents” rate.

Different Dual Military Living Scenarios

When both service members reside together with qualifying dependents, only one member will receive the “with dependents” BAH rate, which is based on their rank and duty station. The other service member will then receive the “without dependents” rate for their own pay grade and location.

If a dual military couple lives together but does not have any other qualifying dependents, each service member will typically receive BAH at the “without dependents” rate. This rate is specific to their individual pay grade and the cost of living at their duty station.

For dual military service members stationed at different locations and living apart, each member generally receives BAH based on their own respective duty station. If there are dependents, the service member who claims them will receive the “with dependents” rate for the location where the dependents reside.

When one service member is deployed or on temporary duty (TDY), their BAH usually continues, especially if they are maintaining a residence back at their primary duty station. The housing allowance is generally based on the permanent duty station’s location.

Maintaining Your BAH Account

Accurate management of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) entitlements is important for dual military couples to ensure correct payments and avoid potential issues. Promptly reporting changes in marital status to the appropriate finance or administrative office is a required step. For instance, if two service members marry, this change impacts their BAH entitlement, potentially shifting both to “without dependents” rates unless there are other qualifying dependents.

Reporting changes in dependent status, such as the birth of a child or a child moving out, is also necessary for proper BAH adjustments. Required documentation for such changes typically includes birth certificates or other official records.

Changes in duty station for either service member can also impact BAH eligibility and require timely notification. A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) for one or both members necessitates an update to their BAH, as the allowance is tied to the new duty location’s housing costs. New orders serve as primary documentation for these changes.

Regularly reviewing Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) is a practical step to verify the accuracy of BAH payments. If any discrepancies or questions arise, service members should contact their unit orderly room or finance office for clarification and resolution. Providing official documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates, and Permanent Change of Station orders is crucial for processing and validating BAH changes.