Can I change my BAH rate if my family relocates?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 14:51:11 -0400

Hello every one, I am stationed in Fort Sill Ok, however my wife has just landed an amazing job in Oklahoma City Oklahoma (OKC). This job is a hug leap forward in her career and we decided that she should not let it pass her by. Her and my two children will be moving up there next month. Is it posable to change my BAH rate to match the OKC area?

Fort Sill BAH is 1212.00 and the area in witch she will be living is 1545.00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2021 3:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:01:32 -0400

I'm not a finance expert by any means, but I was always under the impression that your BAH is dependent on your duty location. If you're stationed at Fort Sill, regardless of where you choose to live, you will receive Fort Sill BAH.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 16 at 2021 3:03 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:03:22 -0400

BAH is based on your duty station.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 16 at 2021 3:06 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:06:16 -0400

No. You are paid at the rate where you are stationed, regardless of where your family resides.

There are exceptions to this (such as unaccompanied tours) but none for situations like this.

If the DoD were to allow this, every family in the military would somehow be residing in San Francisco, NYC, Alexandria, or Honolulu. At least on paper.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 16 at 2021 4:00 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 16:00:51 -0400

BAH is based on your duty station.

Response by SSG Keith Bodiford (Ret) made Jul 16 at 2021 7:08 PM

SSG Keith Bodiford (Ret) — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 19:08:23 -0400

It’s based on your duty location and the fifty mile radius from there. The only way to get based off her location is if you were to do a hardship tour where dependents were not authorized and you could relocate them. However, if you came back to Sill and the new rate were lower you’d be forced into the new rate as they would be allowed again. Sometimes it’s better to just leave it alone.

Response by Lt Col Mark Avery made Jul 18 at 2021 12:42 PM

Lt Col Mark Avery — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 12:42:20 -0400

As many have said, it's based on your duty location. Sucks, too. I went to a 6-month school in Norfolk VA when I had been stationed in the DC area and was heading back there after the school. My family stayed in DC, saving the government the cost moving the household goods as well as minimizing the disruption to school and jobs. The day my school was over, I hustled up to DC to check into my next assignment, same day, then took leave. Didn't want that Norfolk BAH rate to last one minute longer than necessary...

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jul 18 at 2021 5:13 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 17:13:42 -0400

No. BAH is based on YOUR duty location.