Basic Allowance for Housing has gone up for 2008! Starting in January, new rates will be in effect. For those new to BAH, your housing allowance is based on your location and sponsor's rank. The military tries to keep up with the rising prices of the housing market by readjusting BAH each year. Installments of BAH are made with each paycheck, so you receive half on the 1st and half on the 15th of the month. Be aware that when you are restationed or choose to move to another area, your BAH rate may change. You can use the Related Links below to find out how you would be affected.

If you and your family live on base, BAH is taken directly out of your paycheck. This is done either by the military or by the private organization that owns your housing area. Many areas are now operated by Lincoln Military Housing, in which case BAH goes into your sponsor's account and is then taken out by the company.

For servicemembers and their families that live outside of a military base, BAH is deposited into your sponsor's account along with regular paychecks. This money is then meant to cover rent and utilities.

The 2008 average change is a 7.3% rise in BAH. This is double last year's increase, and should help cover the costs of your housing wherever you are stationed! For future reference, as long as your servicemember's status in the military does not change, your sponsor will never receive a decrease in BAH. Only increases will have an effect on your servicemember's pay.

To find out what your BAH will be starting in January, use the Related Links list below this article. Your sponsor's BAH is also visible on his/her LES. To see it there, visit https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx. You will need your servicemember's permission, LoginID, and PIN numbers.

The military has also requested a 3% raise in pay for the coming year. The Bush Administration submitted their budget with the same 3% raise, but the budget proposed by Congress features a 3.5% pay raise. Happy holidays to the adults in the house, the proposed new numbers are in! If signed, the raise will begin in January 2008.