BAH: Don’t be late!

  • Published
  • By Debbie Smith
  • 908th Airlift Wing
Winter is upon us and so is the deadline for getting your Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) recertified. We all know that over Unit Training Assembly weekends, our focus on mission readiness takes the forefront of our thoughts and actions.

However, readiness also includes you, the individual Airman and your family. This includes making sure you are applying/recertifying for all the entitlements you and your family qualify to receive.

Air Force-level finance dictates all military personnel receiving BAH at the "with-dependent" rate must recertify their dependents no later than Dec. 31. To assist you with this, please ensure you have the original documentation pertaining to the primary dependent with you - i.e., marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc. - for finance personnel to validate.

Failure to recertify prior to the deadline will result in your BAH being changed to the "without-dependent" rate on Jan. 1, 2015 and you will not be paid retroactively once the certification window has passed. So don't delay on the recertification.

Ensure that you continue to receive the correct BAH entitlement prior to the deadline and give yourself the financial peace of mind that allows you to focus on other mission-critical needs during the UTA.

As always, your financial management office is here to assist you with any questions should they arise.

The BAH is getting media attention. A number of Army soldiers are now caught up in fraudulent marriages. As a result, they face potential administrative and punitive actions, or even dishonorable discharge and prison time.

This is why BAH entitlements are a hot topic in the military due to the fraud that has been disclosed over the last few years.  If you have changed your marital status you need to come to the Military Pay Office in Bldg. 1056, Room 207, and report these changes.