PCS W/O Family BHA Question

[lunk173]

I was just told we're PCS'ing to the West Coast in December.

Looking into the advantages of going without my spouse and kid.

I have family I can stay with rent-free close to the base and my spouse and child have a home on the east coast already paid for. I'll switch our Tricare from Prime to Select and hope to use the BAH to kill our debt.

This is the first time we're trying this and would like to know if there's any paperwork I should avoid or be aware of and how to properly do this as I might get deployed from my location.

 

[modesty]

@lunk173 No paperwork needed, you’ll get bah based on your location, not your wife’s. Nothing changes if you deploy.

 

[pilgrimson]

@modesty I thought you got BAH based on your dependents location if you go somewhere else by yourself?

 

[modesty]

@pilgrimson That is only for OCONUS assignments, in your case you are choosing not to bring your wife.

 

[pilgrimson]

@modesty Thanks that changes some of my plans.

 

[resjudicata]

@pilgrimson The only time you can get at your dependent's location is if it's OCONUS unaccompanied tour or you opt out of an accompanied tour OCONUS. You will get BAH at your new PCS location.

 

[billie18]

@lunk173 Sent you a PM. I dealt with the same thing. There is a way to get what you need.

 

[kitty346]

@billie18 Please post here so everyone can be aware.

 

[billie18]

@kitty346 Hey so basically I was in the same boat as you with the BAH. The deciding factor for the location you receive it for is if the government paid for the move or not. If you get it on your orders that is it is the best interest of your family that they move to location A while you are stationed at location B, then they are obligated to pay for the dependents location.