BAH Special Categories

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)

Per DOD FMR Volume 7ADOD FMR Volume 7A Chapter 68, Marines stationed overseas receive OHA instead of standard CONUS BAH.

How OHA Differs From BAH

• OHA based on actual rental costs (member submits lease)
• OHA includes reimbursement for utilities and other housing costs
• OHA covers move-in and move-out costs (specific allowances)
• BAH is fixed by zip code; OHA reimburses actual costs up to a cap

OHA Components

OHA has three parts.

OHA Eligibility

• Active duty Marines on overseas tours
• Marines not in government quarters at overseas station
• Specific accompanied vs unaccompanied rules apply

OHA Documentation Requirements

Per DOD FMR Chapter 68, member submits.

• Signed lease agreement
• Utility cost documentation if claiming utility allowance
• Move-in receipts for MIHA claims
• Annual lease renewal documentation

Performance Steps for OHA

When member arrives at overseas station.

1. Member receives PCS orders to overseas location
2. Member secures off-base housing
3. Member submits lease and OHA application
4. PAC verifies lease meets OHA standards
5. PAC processes OHA via UD/MIPS at correct rate
6. MIHA processed for one-time setup costs
7. Annual review of lease and OHA continuation

Partial BAH

Per MCO 7220.56MCO 7220.56, partial BAH applies in specific limited situations.

When Partial BAH Applies

• Member living in government quarters but with specific eligibility
• Specific transitional periods
• Limited geographical or duty situations

Partial BAH Rate

• Smaller amount than standard BAH
• Set per DOD FMR Volume 7ADOD FMR Volume 7A
• Different transaction code than standard BAH

Partial BAH is not common. Most members fall into standard BAH categories.

BAH for Single SNCO and Senior Officers

Per MCO 7220.56MCO 7220.56, single SNCO (E-7+) and senior officers have specific BAH provisions.

Standard Off-Base BAH

• Without-dependents rate at duty station
• Standard BAH processing
• No special category

Government Quarters Eligibility

• Single E-7 and above may opt out of barracks
• SNCO quarters may apply at some installations
• Specific senior officer quarters at some locations

The category is standard BAH. The "special" aspect is that single SNCOs and senior officers have more housing options than junior enlisted.

BAH for Single Junior Enlisted

E-1 through E-3 generally live in barracks (government quarters). BAH does not apply.

Exceptions

• Hardship cases approved by command
• Members with specific health requirements
• Specific situations approved per MCO 7220.56MCO 7220.56

When approved, member draws standard without-dependents BAH or specific category per circumstance.

BAH and Government Quarters

When Marines occupy government quarters, BAH typically does not apply.

Types of Government Quarters

• Barracks (junior enlisted)
• BEQ (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters) for senior enlisted
• BOQ (Bachelor Officer Quarters)
• Family housing (for accompanied tours)
• Senior officer quarters

BAH Rules with Government Quarters

• Member in government quarters: No BAH
• Member temporarily without quarters during transition: BAH may apply for transition period
• Member with quarters used for command convenience: Specific situations may apply

BAH for Sea Duty

Marines on sea duty may have specific BAH situations.

Sea Duty BAH

• BAH continues at home port for sea-duty Marines
• Family residence at home port draws standard BAH
• Specific sea duty allowances may layer on top

BAH When Underway

• BAH does not change when ship is underway
• Member's home port BAH continues
• Combat zone or hostile fire pays may apply during deployment

BAH for Senior Reserve Members

Per MCRAMM Chapter 12, reservists on active duty receive standard BAH.

Reserve Member on Active Duty Over 30 Days

• BAH applies at active duty rate
• Use member's home zip code or duty location per orders
• Standard BAH processing

Reserve Member on Drilling Status

• No BAH for inactive duty (drill weekends)
• Drill pay only
• BAH only during AT or active duty orders over 30 days

Performance Steps for Special Categories

Step 1 - Identify Applicable Category

Determine which special BAH category applies.

• Overseas: OHA processing
• Sea duty: Standard BAH at home port
• Government quarters with allowance: Partial BAH
• Reserve on active duty: Standard BAH at active duty rate

Step 2 - Apply Specific Calculation

Each category has different calculation rules.

• OHA: Actual cost-based with documentation
• Partial BAH: Fixed reduced rate
• BAH-Diff: Fixed differential rate
• Standard BAH: Zip code, rank, dependent status

Step 3 - Process via Correct UD/MIPS Code

Each category has its own transaction code per MCTFSCODESMAN.

• Standard BAH: Generic BAH codes
• OHA: OHA-specific transaction codes
• BAH-Diff: BAH-Diff transaction codes
• Partial BAH: Partial BAH codes

Step 4 - Document the Basis

PAC retains documentation supporting the special category.

• OHA: Lease agreements, utility documentation
• Partial BAH: Justification for category
• Hardship-based BAH: Approved hardship documentation

Common Special Category Errors

These hit during PAC processing.

1. Member overseas drawing standard BAH instead of OHA. OHA rate not applied at overseas station. Fix by processing OHA with effective date.
2. OHA continued after member returns CONUS. OHA stops, BAH starts at CONUS station. Fix by stopping OHA and starting BAH.
3. Partial BAH applied when full BAH appropriate. Member off-base but processed at partial rate. Fix by upgrading to full BAH.
4. Reserve drilling member drawing BAH. Drilling reservist not on active duty orders should not draw BAH. Stop and document.
5. Sea duty BAH location wrong. Member home port BAH at wrong zip code. Fix by updating home port zip code.

OHA Annual Review

Per DOD FMR Volume 7ADOD FMR Volume 7A Chapter 68, OHA recipients undergo annual review.

• Verify lease still active
• Verify utility costs current
• Verify OHA rate current
• Member confirms continued accuracy

Coordination Touchpoints

Special BAH categories touch.

• DTMO: For OHA rates and BAH information
• Local installation housing office: For government quarters status
• Overseas housing officials: For OHA-specific assistance
• Member's chain of command: For hardship and special situation documentation

Related Roles

Special BAH categories affect specific groups of Marines.

• Marines in special situations submit appropriate documentation and verify pay.
• Leaders counsel members on applicable category and route documentation.
• Commanders support hardship cases and unique situation processing.