Military Housing Allowances Explained: Maximizing Benefits for Your Child
There is more to military pay than just the basic pay. Allowances and other financial benefits exist that significantly improve the overall military payment package. Taking advantage of allowances is an important step to avoiding financial pitfalls for service members. The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is one of the most essential of these allowances, one your new service member must not miss out on. In this article, we will help break down exactly what it is and how your service member can make the most of it.
What Is Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)?
BAH is a monthly allowance provided to members of the military by the government to help cover their housing costs. This payment is separate from your service member’s base pay, so essentially, it is an additional source of income they can take advantage of.
Service members do not automatically receive BAH. To receive BAH the service member must submit the required paperwork. Fortunately, the application process is straightforward. Once they qualify, securing their allowance should not be an issue.
Who is Eligible for BAH?
For a service member to be eligible for BAH, they must meet at least one of the criteria below:
Live off base
Be married or have dependants
Be single and ranked E-4 or Above
Be a reserve member currently on active duty for 30 or more days.
If your service member falls under any of these categories they are eligible for this allowance. However, eligibility alone does not guarantee that they automatically get paid. They must complete the necessary paperwork and submit it through their chain of command. Missing or incomplete documentation is a common reason some eligible service members experience delays or fail to receive their allowance.
Getting the BAH Paperwork Done
As earlier stated, failure to submit the right documentation could lead to your service member missing out on their allowance. Usually, new service members are informed about their BAH eligibility and required paperwork during their initial in-processing at their first duty station.
If your service member is eligible, they must submit the required documentation; DD Form 5960, along with supporting documents such as a marriage certificate, birth certificates of dependents, a lease or mortgage agreement, and proof of residency if required. This paperwork is processed through their chain of command and Finance Office.
If all the right documents have been filed and submitted, your service member should get their housing allowance when they receive their paycheck. The payment should reflect on their Leave and Earnings Statement(LES) under the entitlement section. If the allowance does not appear after a few pay periods, the service member should follow up with their Finance Office to find out how to correct the oversight.
Resources
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) - Official website for information on the military’s housing allowance
DoD Forms Management Programs - The official website for military forms.
