How is BAH officially started?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 17:26:08 -0500

Hello I recently got married. I have the marriage certificate, my spouses passport and foreign ID. I have an appointment to get him registered deers in about 1 1/2 week (they are booked that far out). Is it the enrollment into Deers that starts the BAH request? Or is it when I inform my S1?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 18 at 2021 5:30 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 17:30:37 -0500

DEERs should do it but do both, in case of problems

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2021 5:49 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 17:49:10 -0500

DEERS doesn't get you a BAH change, it gets your dependent enrolled in DEERS for tricare.

A DA 5960 (the BAH form) is required for any change to your BAH.
You need a new one, with your dependent(s) listed on it, and that, with your marriage cert, need to go into iPERMS, and your S1 needs that to update finance.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2021 11:51 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 11:51:44 -0500

You will need 1 or both of the following depending on unit SOP:
DA 5960
DA 4187 (some units require this for whatever reason)

You will need to complete the DA 5960; To verify everything you will need copies of your spouses Social Security Card and/or State issued License. Marriage certificate will also be required if the reason for your starting BAH is a change in marital status. You can submit that through your S1 or your company operations, or go straight to your post-finance-office (again depending on post).

Do yourself a favor and tap your first-line leader to champion the issue so you can get some help and top cover, as well as give your FLL an education in starting SM's allowances.

Best of luck fam.