BAH (Housing Allowance)

Start Here If You Are New to BAH

BAH is the second-largest pay line on most Marines' LES after basic pay. The amount depends on three things. Pay grade. Dependent status. The Military Housing Area (MHA) covering your duty station's zip code. Three numbers, one rate, paid monthly. The math is simple. The edge cases are where Marines lose money.

This page walks you through BAH from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• What BAH is and where the rate comes from
• The with-dependent versus without-dependent rate structure
• How rate protection prevents your BAH from dropping when MHA rates fall
• The narrow but important BAH-Partial and BAH-Diff cases
• The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) framework for OCONUS duty
• Dependent-status rules including child support and dual-military marriages
• The common errors that stop or change BAH (PCS, dependent change, sea duty, Government quarters)
• How to verify and recover BAH on the LES

Every fact on this page comes from DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 26 (May 2025), Title 37 U.S.C.Title 37 U.S.C. sections 403 and 405, and the DTMO-published BAH and OHA rate tables.

What BAH Is

Per DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 26 paragraph 5.0, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is paid for housing within the United States. Assignment to Government quarters affects eligibility. A housing allowance other than BAH-Partial or BAH-Diff is generally not authorized for a Marine assigned to Government quarters appropriate to grade and adequate for the Marine and dependents.

Per paragraph 5.1, the BAH rate is based on median housing costs in the Military Housing Area (MHA) and is paid independently of actual housing costs. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OUSD P&R) determines adequate housing costs in each MHA. Adjustments take effect with the annual pay raise.

Per paragraph 5.1.4, an MHA is defined geographically by zip code. Major military population areas use a two-digit state code plus a three-digit numerical designation. Smaller military population areas group similar-cost zip codes into county cost groups.

Why BAH Matters to You

Three reasons BAH carries weight beyond the dollar amount on the LES.

• Largest variable line item. BAH varies by pay grade and zip code more than any other line on the LES. A Sergeant in San Diego with a dependent draws materially different BAH than the same Sergeant at Camp Lejeune.
• Tax-free. Per Title 26 U.S.C. section 134Title 26 U.S.C. section 134, BAH is excluded from federal taxable income. The full BAH amount is take-home, not subject to federal income tax or FICA.
• Drives downstream entitlements. BAH amount affects civilian-side calculations such as VA Home Loan affordability, child support determinations, and divorce-court calculations of military earnings.

With-Dependent vs. Without-Dependent Rates

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 5.1.1, BAH publishes at two rates per pay grade per MHA. The with-dependent rate is higher than the without-dependent rate at every pay grade and every MHA. The differential reflects the housing cost difference between single and family housing in the area.

Eligibility for the With-Dependent Rate

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 3.1.1, to be eligible for the with-dependent rate a Marine must have an eligible dependent.

Primary Dependents

Per paragraph 3.1.1.1.

• Spouse. Including a same-sex spouse. The spouse must be the Marine's legal spouse and not be another active-duty Service Member entitled to basic pay (the dual-military rules in paragraph 4.5 govern that case).
• Child. As defined in the Definitions chapter of Volume 7A, dependent definitions 2, 3, and 4. Includes biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren.

The Marine's support of a primary dependent is automatically assumed. No support-percentage proof is required.

Secondary Dependents

Per paragraph 3.1.1.2, a Marine claiming a secondary dependent must prove the Marine provides more than one-half of the individual's support. Categories.

• College-age student per definition 5.
• Incapacitated adult child per definition 6.
• Parent or stepparent per definition 7.
• Legal ward per definition 8.

The stepparent relationship persists after the death of the Service Member's biological parent (per paragraph 3.1.1.2.3.1) but ends upon divorce of the stepparent from the biological parent.

A person who has stood in loco parentis is an eligible secondary dependent.

Documentation Requirements

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 3.2.1.3, a Marine claiming BAH for an adopted child, stepchild, or child born out of wedlock provides proof of parentage.

• Adopted child. Documentation showing the Marine is the child's legal parent.
• Stepchild. Marriage license showing the Marine is married to the child's legal parent, plus documentation showing the spouse is the child's parent.
• Child born out of wedlock. Birth certificate naming the Marine. If the Marine's name is not on the birth certificate or a court order, a notarized affidavit of parentage is required.

For a secondary dependent (parent, college-age student, incapacitated adult child, legal ward), the Service Secretary or designee makes the dependency determination based on an affidavit and supporting evidence. Tables 26-10 through 26-13 in Chapter 26 specify who determines dependency for secondary dependents.

How the BAH Rate Is Determined

Three inputs drive the rate.

1. Pay grade. The rate table publishes by pay grade from E-1 through O-10, plus the warrant officer grades. Higher grade typically produces higher rate at the same MHA.
2. Dependent status. With-dependent rate or without-dependent rate.
3. MHA. The duty station's zip code maps to an MHA, which has its own published rate table.

The DTMO publishes the rate tables annually at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/. New rates take effect 1 January of each year.

Special Pay Grade Behavior

• Promotion. The rate adjusts upward effective the date of promotion. The first LES after promotion shows the new rate (prorated if mid-month).
• Demotion. Per paragraph 5.2, BAH rate protection prevents your BAH from falling below the protected rate as long as you remain at the MHA. A demotion only reduces BAH if the lower-grade rate at the current MHA is below your protected rate.

BAH Rate Protection

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 5.2, the monthly BAH amount paid to a Marine is not reduced due to.

• Changes in housing costs in the MHA (year-over-year MHA rate changes that reduce the area's BAH rate),
• Changes in the national monthly housing cost,
• The Marine's promotion (your rate at the prior MHA was either higher or lower than the new MHA, but you are protected at the current rate).

The RC member rate is also protected as long as the RC member does not have a break in active service of one or more calendar days.

When Rate Protection Stops

If the Marine is demoted or loses authority for BAH, rate protection at the current amount stops when the eligibility to BAH for the given MHA or county cost group ends. The current BAH rate at the current duty location becomes the new protected BAH rate.

Translation. Once you trigger a BAH change (PCS, demotion that exceeds the MHA's lower-grade rate, dependent change), the protected rate resets at the new circumstance.

BAH-Partial

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 5.5, BAH-Partial is a small fixed monthly amount paid to a Marine without dependents who is assigned to single-type Government quarters and is not authorized BAH or OHA.

The BAH-Partial rate is the partial rate of the basic allowance for quarters for the Marine's pay grade in effect under Title 37 U.S.C. section 1009Title 37 U.S.C. section 1009(c)(2) on 31 December 1997. This rate is fixed and does not vary by MHA.

When BAH-Partial Is Authorized

Per paragraph 5.5.3.1.

• Marine married to another Service Member (no other dependents), assigned to single-type Government quarters, and not authorized BAH or OHA.
• Marine occupying single-type Government quarters while a dependent resides in family-type quarters not assigned under the Marine's eligibility.
• Marine married to another Service Member assigned to sea duty, occupying Government family quarters assigned to the spouse when the ship is in port.

Plus several less-common scenarios per paragraph 5.5.3.2 (confinement, hospital, transit between PDSs, etc.).

When BAH-Partial Is NOT Authorized

Per paragraph 5.5.3.3, NOT authorized when.

• Marine married to another Service Member with no other dependent and assigned to family-type Government quarters.
• Marine without a dependent, single, assigned to family-type Government quarters.
• Marine without a dependent assigned to single-type Government quarters that exceed minimum standards (with narrow medical-hold exceptions).
• Marine paying child support and receiving BAH-Diff.

BAH-Diff

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 5.6, BAH-Diff applies to a Marine assigned to single-type Government quarters who is paying child support.

Eligibility

A Marine assigned to single-type Government quarters or a single-type housing facility is generally only authorized BAH-Partial. The exception. The Marine is paying support to a biological child, adopted child, or stepchild in an amount equal to or greater than the applicable BAH-Diff rate. If the Marine's child support payment is less than the applicable BAH-Diff rate, BAH-Diff is not authorized.

Rate

The BAH-Diff rate is a fixed, non-locality-based rate. It is the difference between the with-dependent Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ) rate and the without-dependent BAQ rate as of 31 December 1997, based on the Marine's grade. The rate increases each year by the average pay raise percentage.

Practical Effect

A Marine paying child support and living in the barracks draws BAH-Diff (a fixed amount that approximates the dependent-rate increment) instead of BAH-Partial. This recognizes the Marine's child support obligation without authorizing full BAH-with-dependent rates.

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 6.0, OHA is the OCONUS housing allowance. It applies to Marines stationed overseas.

OHA Structure

Unlike BAH (a fixed monthly rate based on the MHA), OHA has three components.

1. Monthly Rental Allowance (paragraph 6.2). Reimburses up to the actual rent paid, capped at the published OHA rental ceiling for the location and the Marine's grade and dependent status. If the Marine pays less than the ceiling, only the actual rent is reimbursed.
2. OHA Utility / Recurring Maintenance Allowance (paragraph 6.3). A fixed monthly amount for utilities and recurring maintenance, based on the location.
3. Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA) (paragraph 6.4). One-time payments for specific move-in costs (security deposits, agent fees, government-mandated initial purchases like fire safety equipment).

The DTMO publishes OHA rates monthly, not annually, because OCONUS rental markets fluctuate more than CONUS markets.

OHA Eligibility and Reporting

Per paragraph 6.2, OHA reimbursement requires the Marine to certify the actual rent paid, supported by a lease or rental agreement. Marines submit DD Form 2367DD Form 2367 (OHA Report) to document the actual housing cost. If the actual cost falls below the published ceiling, OHA reimburses the actual cost (not the ceiling).

OHA and Living Quarters Allowance (LQA)

Per paragraph 6.9, OHA and Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) under DSSR section 130 are not paid concurrently. A Marine eligible for both elects one or the other, typically based on which produces the higher reimbursement at the duty location.

UN Peacekeeping

Per paragraph 6.10, a Marine serving as an observer to a United Nations peacekeeping organization receives OHA based on the unique location framework, often with adjustments to reflect the UN-provided housing.

Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)

Per DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 68 (January 2025) and Title 37 U.S.C. section 405Title 37 U.S.C. section 405, Temporary Lodging Allowance is the OCONUS counterpart to TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense, governed by the JTR). TLA partially offsets the cost of lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred while occupying temporary lodgings OCONUS during a PCS transition.

When TLA Applies

Per Chapter 68 paragraph 4.1, TLA applies during.

• Initial OCONUS PDS arrival before permanent housing is secured.
• OCONUS PDS departure when the Marine has vacated permanent housing but not yet departed.
• Specific transitional periods when permanent Government quarters or private-sector housing become unavailable.

TLA is distinct from OHA. TLA covers temporary lodging during the PCS transition. OHA covers permanent housing once the Marine occupies private-sector housing.

Initial Assignment Authorization Period

Per Chapter 68 paragraph 4.6.1, TLA authorization for an OCONUS PDS assignment requiring a residence change ordinarily does not exceed 60 days. The 60-day period does not have to be consecutive. The OCONUS TLA Authority is allowed to authorize additional periods in increments of 15 or fewer days for specific reasons beyond the Marine's or dependent's control.

• HHG does not arrive.
• Service requirements delay availability of or assignment to Government quarters.
• Acts of God, fire, flood, earthquake, riot, civil unrest, or similar events make Government quarters or private-sector housing temporarily or permanently uninhabitable.
• A landlord withdraws private-sector housing from the market.
• The Marine cannot secure suitable private-sector housing in an acceptable location.
• The Marine or dependent is hospitalized, or the Marine's duties require absence from the PDS limiting opportunities to arrange permanent housing.

TLA Limit Cap on Lodging

Per Chapter 68 paragraph 4.4.2, when Government quarters are available and the Marine uses other lodging, TLA reimbursement is limited to the cost of Government quarters. If Government quarters are not available, the Marine provides written certification supporting voucher documentation.

Receipt of Multiple Allowances

Per Chapter 68 paragraph 4.5.

• COLA and BAH/OHA. The Marine is allowed to receive a COLA, BAH, or OHA when paid TLA. TLA covers temporary lodging while OHA or BAH covers permanent housing once secured.
• Evacuation allowances. TLA is not payable due to an evacuation (separate evacuation allowances apply).
• TQSE/TQSA. A Marine married to a civilian employee receiving Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses or Allowances is allowed to receive TLA as long as the payments cover different expenses.
• Dependent receiving basic pay. The Marine is not allowed to receive allowances for a dependent during any period the dependent is entitled to basic pay (dual-military spouse situation).

TLA Rates

Per Chapter 68 paragraph 6.0, TLA rates depend on the OCONUS location and the Marine's grade and dependent status. The DTMO publishes TLA per-diem rates by location.

TLA Upon Departure

Per Chapter 68 paragraph 4.9, TLA is also authorized upon departure from an OCONUS PDS when the Marine has vacated permanent housing but not yet departed the country, subject to the same OCONUS TLA Authority approval framework.

Old and New PDS in Same Country

Per Chapter 68 paragraph 4.4.8, when a Marine's old and new PDSs are in close proximity or in the same country, the TLA authority does not change. When the new PDS is within commuting distance of the old PDS housing, TLA is generally not authorized unless the commanding officer approves temporary lodging based on a necessary residence change for reasons beyond the Marine's control.

TLA Special Requests

Per Chapter 68 paragraph 4.10, "TLA Special" allows additional TLA authorization in unusual circumstances beyond the standard initial-assignment, departure, or exception cases. The OCONUS TLA Authority adjudicates Special TLA requests on a case-by-case basis.

Family Separation Housing (FSH)

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 7.0, when a Marine is on an unaccompanied tour and the dependents remain in the United States or at a previous OCONUS location, the Marine is potentially eligible for Family Separation Housing.

Eligibility

Per paragraph 7.2, FSH is paid when.

• The Marine is on an unaccompanied tour or dependent-restricted tour.
• The dependents do not reside at or near the Marine's PDS.
• The Marine is not assigned Government family quarters.

Rate

Per paragraph 7.3, FSH-O (overseas) reimburses the OHA rental allowance for the Marine's PDS at the without-dependent rate. FSH-B (basic) is a fixed CONUS rate when the Marine is in CONUS but the dependents remain elsewhere.

The Family Separation Allowance (FSA) is a separate entitlement covered on the Family Separation Allowance page. FSA and FSH are independent.

Government Quarters and BAH

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 8.0, Government quarters assignment affects BAH eligibility.

General Rule

A Marine assigned to Government quarters appropriate to the Marine's grade and adequate for the Marine and dependents is generally not authorized BAH (other than BAH-Partial or BAH-Diff in narrow cases).

Election Authority for E-7 and Above

Per paragraph 10.1.3, a Marine without a dependent in grade E-7 or above is allowed to elect at any time not to occupy Government quarters at the PDS and is authorized BAH or OHA. The Secretary concerned (or designee) is allowed to deny BAH or OHA if the election would adversely affect a training mission, military discipline, or readiness.

Election Authority for E-6

Per paragraph 10.1.4, a Marine without a dependent in grade E-6 assigned to inadequate Government quarters is allowed to elect not to occupy and receive BAH or OHA instead. The Secretary concerned is allowed to deny if the election adversely affects training, discipline, or readiness.

E-5 and Below on Sea Duty

Per paragraphs 10.1.5.2 and 10.1.5.3, a Marine without a dependent in grade E-5 or below assigned to permanent sea duty aboard a ship is not allowed to elect not to occupy assigned shipboard Government quarters. Service Secretary regulations is the path for narrow exceptions.

Privatized Housing

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 9.0, privatized housing under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative is treated as Government quarters for BAH purposes. A Marine assigned to privatized housing receives BAH at the appropriate rate, with the BAH paid (typically) directly to the privatized housing operator as rent.

PCS and BAH Transitions

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 10.0, BAH changes with PCS in specific patterns.

Standard PCS Between PDSs

The new PDS BAH rate takes effect on the report date at the new duty station. The old PDS rate stops on the detachment date.

PCS Between PDSs in Proximity

Per paragraph 10.1.2, when a Marine PCS's between PDSs in proximity, the housing allowance based on the old PDS continues during transit. The Service is allowed to retain the old PDS rate when commuting to the new PDS from the old PDS residence, particularly in low-cost or no-cost moves.

PCS Authorization Date Effects on Custody Cases

Per paragraph 10.2.1.3, a single or divorced Marine who maintains legal and physical custody of a child before receipt of a PCS authorization or order to an unaccompanied tour is allowed to continue to be paid BAH at the with-dependent rate for the last PDS or designated place. The divorce decree or custody order from a court of competent jurisdiction must state the specific period during which the Marine has legal and physical custody.

Acquired Dependent (PCS in Progress)

Per paragraph 10.3, when a Marine acquires a dependent during a PCS, Table 26-21 specifies the BAH transition rules. The general principle. The with-dependent rate triggers from the date of dependent acquisition (marriage date, birth date, adoption finalization date), not the next pay period.

Transitional PTAD and BAH Without Dependents

Per PAA 10-13PAA 10-13, a Marine on Transitional PTAD without dependents receives BAH without-dependent at the transitional PTAD location rate, not the prior PDS rate. Confirm the without-dependent BAH start with the IPAC pay clerk before transitional PTAD execution.

Historical BAH Waivers and Increases

Per PAA 06-20PAA 06-20 (amplifying MARADMIN 320-20), BAH waivers in connection with delay dependent travel and OTEIP authorizations apply during specified periods. Per PAA 06-21PAA 06-21, the 2021 temporary BAH increase applied to certain locations under administrative procedures issued by HQMC. Both records sit in the citations registry for historical research.

Common BAH Errors and Fixes

Per Chapter 26 and the Pay Problems and Fixes page on this site, the five most common BAH errors.

1. BAH Stopped After PCS

Cause. New zip code or dependent status not updated by the reporting unit at the new PDS. Fix. Submit orders documentation to the new S-1 within 7 days of reporting. Verify new BAH rate appears on the next LES. The Pay Problems and Fixes page covers the recovery flow.

2. Wrong Dependent Status

Cause. Marriage, divorce, birth, or dependent loss not reflected on the LES. Fix. Submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 (Page 2 update for dependents) through the reporting unit. Verify dependent status updates within one pay period.

3. Wrong MHA / Zip Code

Cause. Marine moved to a new residence within the same MHA, or moved across an MHA boundary, and the zip code on the LES did not update. Fix. Update the residence zip code through the reporting unit. The MHA mapping is automatic from zip code.

4. BAH-Diff Not Started After Becoming a Single Custodial Parent

Cause. A Marine paying child support who moves into the barracks after a divorce typically transitions from BAH-with-dependent to BAH-Diff, not BAH-Partial. Verify the rate matches the published BAH-Diff for your grade.

5. BAH Stopped on Sea Duty (E-6 with Adequate Quarters Aboard)

Cause. The reporting unit assumed the Marine elected to vacate quarters but the election authority was not exercised. Fix. Confirm with the unit's housing office whether the Marine is occupying or vacating shipboard quarters and route the appropriate BAH start/stop documentation.

Verifying BAH on the LES

A monthly LES check catches BAH errors fast.

Step 1. Pull Your LES

Through MyPay each payday.

Step 2. Verify the BAH Rate

Compare against the DTMO BAH rate table for your pay grade, dependent status, and MHA (zip code).

• DTMO source. https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/.
• Pay grade. Confirm against your current rank.
• Dependent status. With or without dependent.
• MHA. Cross-reference your residence zip code against the DTMO MHA lookup.

Step 3. Check the Remarks Block

The Remarks Block annotates BAH actions (audits, BAH-Diff conversions, BAH-Partial transitions, sea duty elections). Read the Remarks Block monthly.

Step 4. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your S-1. Standard correction routes through the reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) to DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I got married last month. When does the with-dependent rate kick in?

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 10.3, the with-dependent rate effective date is the marriage date. Submit the marriage license through the S-1 to update DEERS and BAH within the first pay period after marriage.

I am dual military. How does BAH work?

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 4.5, when both Service Members are entitled to basic pay, the rules differ based on whether they have other dependents. With other dependents (children, qualifying parents), one Service Member draws with-dependent BAH and the other draws without-dependent BAH (typically the senior Service Member draws with-dependent, but the couple is allowed to elect). Without other dependents, both draw without-dependent BAH.

I am paying child support and I live in the barracks. Do I draw BAH?

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 5.6, you draw BAH-Diff (not BAH-Partial) if your child support payment equals or exceeds the BAH-Diff rate for your grade. If your child support is less than the BAH-Diff rate, you draw BAH-Partial only.

I PCS'd to a higher-cost MHA. Why did my BAH not go up?

The BAH at the new MHA should reflect that location's rate table, not the old MHA. If your LES still shows the old rate after the report date, the reporting unit has not updated the zip code. Coordinate with your S-1.

I PCS'd to a lower-cost MHA. Why is my BAH the same?

Per paragraph 5.2, BAH rate protection prevents reductions due to MHA changes when you stay at the same MHA. If you PCS to a new MHA with a lower rate, the new lower rate takes effect on the report date. Rate protection does not carry across MHAs (unless specific exceptions apply).

I am OCONUS and my OHA is less than my actual rent. Why?

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 6.2, OHA reimburses the actual rent paid up to the published rental ceiling. If your actual rent is less than the ceiling, OHA pays the actual rent. If your actual rent exceeds the ceiling, OHA pays only the ceiling. Verify your rent against the OHA ceiling for your location and grade.

I am married to another Marine and we have one child. We both want to draw BAH-with-dependent. Is that allowed?

Per paragraph 4.5, no. With one child, only one of you draws with-dependent BAH. The other draws without-dependent BAH. The couple is allowed to elect which one. Typically the senior Service Member elects with-dependent.

My family lives at our old PDS while I am on an unaccompanied tour. Do I get FSH?

Per Chapter 26 paragraph 7.0, yes if all FSH eligibility conditions are met (unaccompanied tour, dependents not at PDS, no Government family quarters at the unaccompanied PDS). FSH and FSA are separate. The Family Separation Allowance page on this site covers FSA.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• BAH rate verification and corrections. Your S-1 routes corrections through the reporting unit.
• Dependent status updates (marriage, birth, divorce, dependent loss). Submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 through your S-1. DEERS update typically required as well.
• OHA actual-cost reporting. Submit DD Form 2367DD Form 2367 with the lease or rental agreement.
• BAH advance for security deposits or initial expenses. Per paragraph 5.4, requestable through the chain of command. Repayment typically over 12 months.
• Dual-military BAH adjudication. Through your S-1 with confirmation from the spouse's S-1.
• Privatized housing rent disputes. The local Marine Corps housing office, with the privatized operator as the day-to-day point of contact.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).
• Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) BAH and OHA rate questions. https://www.travel.dod.mil/.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Pay and Entitlements landing page lists the six pay topics.
• Basic Pay covers the foundational pay grade and creditable service framework.
• BAS (Food Allowance) covers the parallel food allowance.
• Family Separation Allowance covers FSA. Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay covers HFP/IDP. Combat Zone Tax Exclusion covers CZTE.
• Pay Problems and Fixes covers the LES error recovery flow including BAH stops and audit corrections.

Related Roles

• Leaders verify Marines' BAH on the LES during command checks, particularly within the first 30 days at a new unit and after any dependent change, and route corrections to the S-1 quickly.
• Admin at S-1 builds documentation packages for BAH starts/stops, dependent updates, and zip code corrections, and coordinates with the reporting unit for UD/MIPS entry.
• Commanders certify BAH-related pay actions (BAH-Partial elections for E-6 and E-7, sea duty elections, dependent-status determinations for ambiguous cases) and ensure the unit's BAH records are accurate at command-level pay reviews.

BAH is the largest variable line on most LES. The pay grade plus the MHA zip code plus the dependent status drive the rate. Verify monthly. Update the reporting unit fast on every dependent change and every PCS. The BAH rate-protection rule keeps you whole on most reductions, but only if your record reflects the right inputs.