What does BAH mean in MILITARY

BAH stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. It is a monthly allowance paid to active-duty military personnel to help pay the costs of housing in civilian locations.

Any active-duty service member who does not reside in government housing is eligible to receive BAH. This includes those on unaccompanied tours, single parents, and service members married to other service members.

The amount of BAH paid out depends on rank, duty location and whether the service member has dependents or not. There are three different tiers of BAH that take into account different financial burdens for those stationed alone, as well as those with dependents.

No, each duty station has its own set of rates for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), so each service member receives a unique rate based on their rank and family size. Rates can also vary depending on what ZIP Code you live in and if you choose to rent or purchase a residence.

Generally speaking, the majority of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) payments are non-taxable; however, some portions may be taxable under certain circumstances such as when a service member rents an apartment that costs more than the current local median or if they receive additional reimbursements for moving expenses or dislocation allowances related to their duty station. Speak with your tax adviser about your specific situation.

To apply for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), you must submit an application form through your branch's personnel office or online via the Defense Travel System website. You will need to provide two forms of ID, proof of residence, and any other required documents at time of submission.

Your application should take effect within 30 days from the time it was submitted; however this timeline can vary depending on how long it takes for all necessary documents to be reviewed by your branch's personnel office. Once your application is approved you will receive confirmation via email and begin receiving payments shortly thereafter.

Yes, if approved you may receive retroactive benefits backdated up to one year prior from the date you submitted your application; however this will require additional paperwork which may extend processing times.

You can find more information about current rates and rules governing Basic Allowage for Housing (BAH) by visiting your branch’s website or the Department of Defense’s website here https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Allowances/BAH/.