AFH 1 · Chapter 12 · Section 12.4

Military Allowances and Entitlements

Part of Developing Self · 3 sections · ~626 words · WAPS PFE study material

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Allowances Overview and Basic Allowance for Subsistence

What Allowances Cover

Allowance Purpose

Allowances are provided for specific needs, such as food or housing.

Monetary When Not Provided

Monetary allowances are provided when the government does not provide for that specific need.

Government Quarters Example

Government Quarters Rule

Those who:

Live in government housing → do not receive full housing allowances
Do not live in government housing → receive allowances to assist with the cost of obtaining commercial housing

Tax Advantage

Many Allowances Not Taxable

Many allowances are not taxable, which is an additional embedded benefit of military pay.

Resources

A complete list of military benefits and entitlements:

- MyAirForceBenefits website: https://www.myairforcebenefits.us.af.mil/

You can also view your annual Personal Statement of Military Compensation (PSMC) on myPay: https://mypay.dfas.mil

PSMC Use

PSMC can be used to show total compensation when:

Comparing civilian employment offers
Applying for credit or loans

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)

BAS Purpose

Basic allowance for subsistence is a nontaxable allowance used to offset the cost of a service member's meals.

Junior Enlisted in Single Government Quarters

Discounted Meal Rate

Often junior grade enlisted members assigned to single-type government quarters at their permanent duty station are required to eat in government dining facilities, receive BAS, and are charged the discounted meal rate which is deducted from their pay.

Missed Meal Reimbursement

Missed Meal Claim

When certified by the commanding officer or designee, members are allowed to claim reimbursement for missed meals.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

BAH Intent

The intent of basic allowance for housing is to provide uniformed service members accurate and equitable housing compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets.

When BAH Is Payable

BAH When No Quarters

This allowance is payable when government quarters are not provided.

Privatized Quarters

Privatized Quarters Eligibility

Many USAF installations have privatized quarters.

Privatized Quarters BAH

Members in privatized quarters are entitled to BAH.

Rental Agreement Cap

Rental Cap

A rental agreement requires a rent amount NOT to exceed the BAH entitlement paid via allotment.

Single-Type Government Quarters (No Dependents)

Partial BAH

Members without dependents residing in government single-type quarters are entitled to partial BAH unless the quarters (including government-leased quarters) exceed the minimum standards of single quarters for their grade.

Court-Ordered Child Support Differential

BAH-Differential

Members living in single-type government quarters who pay court-ordered child support may qualify for differential (BAH-differential).

Overseas Housing Allowance and Family Separation Housing

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)

OHA Purpose

Overseas housing allowance is a cost reimbursement-based allowance to help defray housing costs incident to assignments to a permanent duty station outside the United States.

Reimbursement Cap

OHA Reimbursement Cap

Members are reimbursed actual rental costs not to exceed the maximum OHA rate for each:

Locality
Grade
Dependency status

Move-in Housing Allowance

Move-in Allowance

Move-in housing allowance (for those who qualify) is based on the average "move-in" costs for members.

What Monthly OHA Includes

Monthly OHA Composition

Monthly OHA includes:

The rent (up to the rental allowance at a permanent duty station)
Plus the utility/recurring maintenance allowance

Family Separation Housing (FSH)

FSH Purpose

The purpose of family separation housing is to pay a member for added housing expenses resulting from enforced separation from dependents.

FSH-BAH

FSH-BAH Amount

Family separation housing-BAH is payable in a monthly amount equal to the without-dependent BAH rate applicable to the member's:

Grade
Permanent duty station

FSH-OHA

FSH-OHA Amount

Family separation housing-OHA is payable in a monthly amount up to the without-dependent OHA rate applicable to the member's:

Grade
Permanent duty station

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