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How does a military housing allowance work?

Does a housing allowance allow you to use the whole thing? For example if I stay in an apartment that cost $1300 and my housing allowance is $1600, can I use the whole $1600. Also is it just a one time thing or is it every month? (Coast Guard)

Public Comments

1. BAH (basic housing allowance) is added to your pay and deposited into your account. If you get 1600/month BAH and your rent is only 1300 you can use the extra 300 for your utilities. You get BAH every month. There's something called DLA that you get everytime you PCS. For an officer it's typically around 2100 dollars. It's supposed to cover "other" moving expenses (i.e. plan tickets, deposits, etc..)
2. Yeah, you get to keep whatever's extra out of your allowance. The total amount is split up between 2 checks, so 1600/month you'd get 800 each check.
3. BAH is a set amount based on zip code and Rank/Rate that is included in the pay on teh 15th and 1st of each month. It is to pay for rent/mortgage & utilities, if your expenses are under that then you keep the rest. If it is more than that then you do pay out of your own pocket. So yes if your rent is $1300 and your BAH is $1600 the $300 is to pay for your utilities, if it is less than that then you pocket the rest.
4. It is a monthly allowance and is adjusted annually. As as2633 pointed out, the remainder of the BAH payment is yours and you can use if for any other way you deem fit.
5. Stateside BAH is BAH. you could live in a $500 apartment and pocket the rest. It is a monthly allowance.