Didnt see any other threads for this so I apologize if I missed it. I have talked to a couple different Yeoman and other married members, and I seem to be getting very different answers. My question is my wife and I are both in the Coast Guard we are about to be stationed together, and we do not have dependents. I assumed that we would both continue to receive bah without depended for the area, but I have been told just one of us gets it and the other one gets partial BAH. So how excactly does this work? Thank you for any help and its greatly appreciated
I am married member to member, and this is also listed in the pay manual. They have a whole flow chart detailing this very issue. You both will receive BAH as if you were single (with out dependents) when you guys do have a baby aka a dependent, one member (higher ranking) will get BAH w/dependents. Of course there are some little things that may change the specifics, so check out the chart.
Just one additional thought... Don't always automatically conclude that the higher ranking individual would have the dependent added. Normally, it is most beneficial.
But... What if you had an E-5 stationed at Air Sta San Francisco and an E-6 stationed at ISC Alameda. The E5 at AirSta SF BAH/w is $2763. The E-6 over at Alameda is $1998. In this case, it would definitely be advantageous to the member for the lower ranking person to have the kiddo listed on their 4170.
Don't mean to confuse the issue. Just want to make sure we are thinking about things from all angles.
The E5 at AirSta SF BAH/w is $2763. The E-6 over at Alameda is $1998.
Let me try to help you explain better:
Every year, you should compare the with and withouts of both members. Which ever has the BIGGEST different between with and without is who you want the kids to be assigned too. This can actually change year to year. It did this year in DC. LAST year, the E-9 had a bigger difference, this year the E-6 had a bigger difference, so one of the guys in my office switched the kids with his wife.
But one thing to keep in mind, is that each time you switch your dependents from one member to the another, you have to switch them with TRICARE, which could cause more problems that the money from BAH.
My wife and I decided to keep the kids with her, even when we decided to make a career move for her.
Just goes to show ya! There's always another twist... If I've learned anything about being a YN, it is that. Never give long distance advice. We provide INFORMATION. People have to make their own decisions. Same for SBP, VGLI, TriCare, etc... Everyone has to look at their OWN situation and decide what is best for them.
Since the intent of BAH is to provide cash in liue of quarters, just pay ONE BAH to a M2M couple. The senior ones gets the cash, the junior one is 'authorized' to be in the same GOVERMENT provided (through the cash subsidy) quarters, so there is no need to pay cash in liue of.
Of course, if the junior member is not 'authorized' to live in the same place due to distance between duty stations, they they are provided either quarters or money in liue of.
Master Chief, but would the dollar go up for the M2M couples? As it stands now, as 2 E-6s in DC, my wife and I get just over $4k. Based on what you are saying, what would our rate be?
Yes that may work where the BAH is high but some areas you really need the extra money. A lot of coasties need to have a roommate still because they cant afford to live alone. And you rank has a lot of effect too i would think maybe give one member full and the other one half.
CDR, if that were the case, then my wife and I would not be able to rent our current home ($2650 per month). We would probably end up where we would be close to having to carry a weapon every we went, not to mention the schools being as they could be. So, they would make families live where their children would not get a great education, potentially unsafe, etc. I can understand making us go into work in some of these areas, but I'm not going to make my kids see the crap.
I was just following the conversation based on what Z proposed. And I am sure that you could afford a decent place to live based on an E-6 BAH it just might not be as nice a place as you can rent if you have more money.
Remember that M2M BAH entitlement is also dependent on pay grade and sea duty status. If your spouse is an E-3 or below and is stationed on a ship, she only gets BAH partial while you get BAH w/out dependents. Unfortunately there is no entitlement for E-3 and below on sea duty to live anywhere but shipboard, UPH, or UPLH; therefore no entitlement to BAH w/out dep.
