Do you still get BAH and get to live off post if your spouse is in another state?

2015-11-03T11:13:09-05:00

I'm am PCSing soon and my wife is staying back here in Hawaii to finish up schooling for 3 months. Will I still get to stay off post at my next duty station or will I have to stay in the barracks until she gets to my next station? Also will I get Hawaii BAH and BAH for my next station until she arrives?

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Nov 3 at 2015 11:22 AM

2015-11-03T11:22:00-05:00

You definitely won't get two BAH's - you'd get the BAH for your new duty station if you are allowed to live off post. I think that would be up to local leadership given your situation. If you can show that she will follow you within X months, they should allow you to go ahead and setup your new household, but I'm only speculating here as to what I would probably do if I was your supervisor or commander.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Nov 3 at 2015 11:23 AM

2015-11-03T11:23:14-05:00

You get BAH but at the location of your spouse. You can move off base but this will come out of pocket and you won't be reimbursed for it.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 3 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-11-03T11:54:50-05:00

You'll be classified as a "Geographical Bachelor" and receive BAH so that your Spouse can retain housing. You "may" receive quarters "space available" (depending on how Army Regs read). Touch base with your local administrative shop and they'll be able to explain all the details.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-11-03T13:08:56-05:00

I believe in your case the answer is yes you still will be considered accompanied. Being that your spouse is only temporary going to be delayed I think it would be unreasonable to force you to live on base with all your house hold goods. The issue on whether or not you get the BAY for Hawaii is questionable. My thought is that the answer will be no.

You may want to talk to base legal. The last thing you want is to get the more expensive bah and find out is was an error and they elect to take it out of your future checks.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 4 at 2015 7:19 AM

2015-11-04T07:19:15-05:00

As stated by other responders, you will only get one BAH rate. If your personnel/pay people are on the ball, they will ask you which rate (Hawaii or your new duty location) you want to receive and it would behoove you to pick the higher rate (most likely Hawaii).