Bah

[Trev82]

First of i DID use the search function....So i was just enlightened to the world of BAH from my dad and that its not included in basic pay....so by being frugal enough i can use my entire bah allotment without ever using out of pocket capital to live off base...right? When can one begin to use it, after OCS at TBS, pensacola for API, and so and so forth.... does it apply to single officers w/o dependants? Lets say i rent a room with a couple guys in p-cola do i still get my entire bah or is it adjusted since i'm not living solo? I'm just pretty stoked about the entire concept and would like a little rundown on how it works....also is it a check that comes separate from your basic pay and do you get it prior to moving into your pad or once you've moved in to the place, the place has been approved, etc? Sorry if this is a little redundant and run-on'ish.....

 

[kmac]

BAH is a very great "pay." I use the quotes because it is an allowance, not a payment, and therefore is not taxed. Each location is independent in terms of how much BAH you get. Anywhere you are stationed, and living off base, you will receive BAH (well... there are different subtopics as it relates to TDY, geographic bachelor, etc., but I am not going ot cover that). It is not a seperate "check" (DFAS uses direct deposit) but is a seperate line item on your Leave and Earnings statement (that's cross the military, not just Navy, right?). Go to www.dfas.mil to find out more about BAH and other military pay.

 

[jarhead]

so by being frugal enough i can use my entire bah allotment without ever using out of pocket capital to live off base...right?

yes .... if you rate lets say $1200 for BAH, your rent/mortgage is $1000, you pocket $200 for whatever you want to use it for.

When can one begin to use it, after OCS at TBS, pensacola for API, and so and so forth?

whenever you live off base/non-government quarters.

does it apply to single officers w/o dependants?

yes

Lets say i rent a room with a couple guys in p-cola do i still get my entire bah or is it adjusted since i'm not living solo?

full BAH

also is it a check that comes separate from your basic pay and do you get it prior to moving into your pad or once you've moved in to the place, the place has been approved, etc?

non taxable money that you get every payday - half on the 1st, second half on the 15th. you'll get it once you have a non-government residence and fill out the appropriate paperwork with Admin.

the BAH website

S/F

 

[Gatordev]

whenever you live off base/non-government quarters.

One caveat...if you are not authorized to live off-base, but do anyway, then you will not receive BAH. Not really an issue now for officers, but in the past, this was an issue at Whiting for a while.

 

[MasterBates]

Yep... I was forced to live in the BOQ when I was in the HTs in 2002.

 

[xmid]

A couple friends at TBS told me that they do not recieve BAH while there, since they are supposed to live in the baracks. If they want a place off base they have to pay for it with base pay.

 

[Schnugg]

BAH= Bachelors Allowance for Housing

It is higher if you have dependants.

All earnings with pay in their name are taxable.
Basic Pay
Flight Pay
Bonus Pay

All earnings with allowance in their name are tax free.
BAH
Dis-Location Allowance DLA
Family Separation allowance FSA

 

[mustang_wife]

A couple friends at TBS told me that they do not recieve BAH while there, since they are supposed to live in the baracks. If they want a place off base they have to pay for it with base pay.

If you have dep. it's easier to be a brown bagger. I heard under special circumstances those who are single are allowed to live off base but I've never heard of any of those guys paying out of pocket and not getting BAH pay. I lthink with the additional 2 companies they are adding...they're going to have to start letting some peope live out in town seeing as they barely have enough room as it is to house the guys with the companies they have now. When my husband was a brown bagger he didn't even have a bed since they packed his room so if he had to stay the night over there he lined up the 4 chairs in the other room and slept on that. Oh, fun times.

 

[mustang_wife]

yes .... if you rate lets say $1200 for BAH, your rent/mortgage is $1000, you pocket $200 for whatever you want to use it for.

Well, it's generally goes to utilities since more than likely it's not covered in rent/morgage. As well as internet and cable...so it really doesn't go in your pocket for extra cash unless your apartment pays for all your uts. The BAH definitely helps but you're not going to bank money off of it when living out in town. Then depending on how far you live out with gas prices and now with the new back gate hours and closings you have to drive all the way around just to get home. We fortunately didn't have to go through the new backgate hours and we lived right across from Paddy's on Garrisonville. So, it's just 5 min to get home but when the back gate hours took effect on Jun 1st 07 there was a couple of times when my hub had to go around which made the ride home closer to 30 min. :/ Anyhow, just things to consider...

 

[snake020]

Best part about BAH besides that it isn't taxed - it's more money you get without you moving to a higher tax bracket, plus if you put it towards a mortgage you can itemize and deduct it from your taxes... almost feels like double dipping.

 

[invertedflyer]

I'm trying to work TAD for HMLA-775 this summer. I talked to the squadron and they didn't know if I would rate BAH since my pay would come from ADSW funding. They did mention something about per diem. Anyone?

 

[TheOldMan]

I'm trying to work TAD for HMLA-775 this summer. I talked to the squadron and they didn't know if I would rate BAH since my pay would come from ADSW funding. They did mention something about per diem. Anyone?

BAH is only payable at a permanent duty station. When you are in a TAD status you will rate a daily allowance for lodging and a daily per diem for meals and incidental expenses. Normally when in a TAD status if government quarters are available (BOQ) you will be directed to use them rather than staying off base. Per diem and lodging rates are location specific, and can be found at: http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTypeId=8203&channelId=-15943

 

[statesman]

BAH is only payable at a permanent duty station.

How do you determine if you have a permanent duty station? For example right after I commission I will most likely elect to stay assigned to my ROTC unit while I wait to class up for API. Is there a way to determine if I will be TAD or Permanent?

 

[TheBubba]

How do you determine if you have a permanent duty station? For example right after I commission I will most likely elect to stay assigned to my ROTC unit while I wait to class up for API. Is there a way to determine if I will be TAD or Permanent?

You'll most likely be TAD. Talk to your admin guy... he'll know.. usually.

 

[statesman]

Thats what I figured... I find it strange though because according to the pay tables here it looks like the Gov would be spending significantly more money for 3 to 6 months in Austin Tx rather than just giving out the BAH. Or am I reading it wrong?